IMPACT OF OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE ON RADIO: A STUDY OF RADIO RIVERS 99.1FM”.

IMPACT OF OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE ON RADIO: A STUDY OF RADIO RIVERS 99.1FM”.

ABSTRACT

This research is an x-ray on the impact of the ownership structure on the programmed content of Radio Rivers FM. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the impact of the effect of ownership on the programme content. The research is survey design method. The method of selecting these respondents is purposive sampling technique. 220 copies of the questionnaire were administered to the respondents and 200 copies of the questionnaire were dully returned for data analysis. Findings shows that majority of the public believe that the ownership structure does not affect the content of programmes being aired to the public. It recommends that radio programmes should revolve around the needs of radio listeners to cover all demographic distribution of the audience. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                                PAGES

Title Page    -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        i

Certification         -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        ii

Dedication  -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        iii

Acknowledgements        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        iv

Abstract      -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        v

Table of Contents -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        vi

CHAPTER ONE

 INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the study         -        -        -        -        -        -        -        1       

1.2            Statement of the problem        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        7

1.3            Objectives of the study  -        -        -        -        -        -        -        7

1.4            Research questions                  -        -        -        -        -        -        -        8

1.5            Significance of the study         -        -        -        -        -        -        -        8

1.6            Scope of the study                   -        -        -        -        -        -        -        9

1.7            Limitations of the study -        -        -        -        -        -        -        9

1.8            Operational definition of key terms  -        -        -        -        -        9

         

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

         

2.0     Introduction         -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        11

2.1     Theoretical framework   -        -        -        -        -        -        -        11

2.2.1 Agenda-setting theory    -        -        -        -        -        -        -        11

2.2.2 Uses and Gratification theory -        -        -        -        -        -        13

2.2.3  Social Categories Approach Theory           -        -        -        -        -        16

2.2.4 Brief History of Radio in Nigeria      -        -        -        -        -        17

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0            Introduction         -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        34

3.1            Research design    -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        35

3.2            Research population      -        -        -        -        -        -        -        35

3.3            Sampling technique/size          -        -        -        -        -        -        -        36

3.4            Research instrument      -        -        -        -        -        -        -        36

3.5            Method of data analysis          -        -        -        -        -        -        -        37

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.0            Introduction         -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        38

4.1     Data presentation          -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        38

4.2     Data Analysis      -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        44

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1Discussion of findings        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        47

5.2Summary        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        48

5.3Conclusion      -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        49

5.4Recommendations    -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        49

References    -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        51

Appendix I  -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        53

Appendix II -       -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        54

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background to Study

          As a prelude to this study, it is vital that a little light be thrown into the concept (radio) itself.

          Radio is the process of transmitting messages and information through electro-magnetic wave. Radio transmission is also called wireless transmission. This is because there are no wires connecting a radio set to the station from where the programs are transmitted.

          Radio programmes are supplemented, that is, we can listen to them while doing other things. Radio programs are also selective. They aim at particular listeners or audience. This is done through tailoring the format, style, language and presentation of programmes to suit particular listeners.

          As a mass medium, the radio developed with the invention of the wireless telegraph in 1895, by an Italian Gugliemo Marconi. The wireless telegraph was able to send electro-magnetic impulses through the air without the use of wires.

          The development of radio broadcasting can be traced to England. This began in 1932 with the relaying of the programmes of the British Empire Service. According to Okenwa (1993), this relay involved “the monitoring and relaying of programmes from the BBC to her majesty’s servants in this part of the world.

          With the aim of improving radio broadcasting in the colonies, the British engineers were sent by the British government to work out the technical requirements for effective radio system in British West Africa. Their report provided the technical pattern for the broadcasting services that were established in Nigeria and other British West Africa colonies in the 1950s. The T. W. Chalmers was seconded from BBC to prepare the ground for the setting up of proper broadcasting system in Nigeria. Chalmers himself was, after the completion of his reports, appointed Director of Broadcasting in Nigeria in April 1951, a position he held till 1957. With his appointment, the Nigerian Broadcasting Service (NBS) was established.

          The Broadcasting  service functioned under a new department of broadcasting formally established in 1952 Obaroo (1979:2). In 1957, the Nigeria broadcasting service was transformed into a corporation. The motto of the new corporation was “uplift the people and unite the nation”.

          One particular feature of the radio is that its operations are regulated by the government because of its perceive permeative power. This accounts for why the only operations of radio in Nigeria were owned and controlled by the government. However, in 1992, the radio industry was deregulated, giving birth to private ownership of radio stations like Rhythm, Raypower etc.

          The increasing numbers of radio stations in Nigeria is overwhelming. Some of these stations are owned by the Federal Government, some are owned by the state and the rest are private owned stations. This work attempts to tackle the impact of ownership structure on the programmed content of the radio.

Brief History of Radio Rivers 99.1 FM Port Harcourt

          Radio Rivers is the first state owned fm radio station in Rivers State and the second radio station to launch in Nigeria. It is run by Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation (RSBC) and operated on 99.1 megahertz. Radio Rivers first signed on the air on Saturday May 2, 1981.

          Radio Rivers has broad range of programmes. This includes news and information (particularly on the diverse ethnic groups of Rivers State who do not receive wider coverage on their stations), local sports, music, arts and culture and public announcements. It is the only major radio station existing that is devoted to promoting Rivers people and their local vernacular languages. Radio Rivers is a wholly government owned radio station. It is owned by the Rives State government. The instrument that brought the station is the Rivers State of Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation edit No 11 of 1971.

          Radio Rivers was established so the Rivers State government would have a medium of mass communication that would guard against unlawful infringement of the liberties and rights of individuals. The station has the following departments viz:

i.                   News and current affairs

ii.                 Commercial

iii.              Engineering

iv.              Programmes

v.                 Traffic

vi.              Security

vii.            Administration

          The station’s major raw material is the “newscast”. The station is funded by the State Government through grants and internally generated revenue. This is generated through advertisements, commercial jobs.

          The advertisement rate is determined by area of coverage (listenership). But the station has made an effort to attract advertisers through the reduction of advertisement rates, sending out of advertisement personnel, etc.

          The vision of the station is to operate as a fully commercial outfit and to inform the people on government policies. Some of the general managers that have been in the station are Kuye Morris, Mr. Omodu Morgan, Tadore M. etc.

1.2     Statement of the Problem

          The increasing numbers of radio stations in Nigeria is overwhelming. Some of these stations are owned by the Federal Government, some are owned by the State and most others are private owned stations. This work attempts to tackle the impact of ownership structure on the programmed content of the radio.

1.3     Objectives of the Study

          The basic function of the radio is to inform, educate and entertain the public, base on this, the study seeks to;

       i.            To investigate the impact of ownership on radio programmes.

     ii.            To find out if the content of the radio programme is determined by the owner.

  iii.            To determine how various owners structure their programmes.

  iv.            To check if government owned stations differs from private owned radio stations in terms of programme content.

1.4     Research Questions

          The research questions which this report seeks to provide answers that will help in solving the investigation of the work are:

i.                   What is the impact of ownership on radio programmes?

ii.                 Do the owners of the radio stations determine the content?

iii.              How does various owners structure their programmes?

iv.              Do the programmes in government owned stations differ from that of the private owners?

1.5            Significance of the Study

          This work is expected to be of value to everybody in communication and broadcasting. At the same time it will be significant to; Researchers in this field and Students of mass communication.

1.6     Scope of Study

          The problem which this work looked into was too enormous. However, due to lack of time and resources, this work was delimited to Radio Rivers FM.

1.6            Limitations to the Study

          Hardly would any research be carried out without one form of problem  or the other. This research is not an exception.

          A lot of constraints were experienced during the course of this study, among the constraints is the short period of time which this study was conducted..

1.7            Operational Definition of Key Terms

i.                   Radio: A medium of mass communication that sends messages through electro-magnetic waves.

ii.                 Broadcasting: A process of disseminating mass messages through electronic media.

iii.              Audience: Refers to the recipients of the broadcast radio messages.