PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF NIGERIAN PRESS COVERAGE OF CHILD RIGHT ISSUES IN NIGERIA

Keyword : Child rights, Media coverage, Perception, Child protection.

Author(s) : Dr. Benedict Obiora Agbo; Dr. Maxwell M. Ngene & Chinaza Phiona Nwokolo

Abstract :

This work is focused on the public perception of Nigerian press coverage of child right issues in Nigeria. In conducting this work, four objectives were raised. Among this objectives are: to ascertain the extent of exposure to press reports on child right issues; to ascertain the public perception of how child right issues are been reported in the press; to identify how the media coverage of child right issues affect the public attitude and to identify how the media coverage of child right issues affect the public behavior. Survey research design was adopted for the study. The total population of the study is 301657 according to 2012 projected National Census and the sample size of 400 was gotten using the Taro Yamane Formula. Cluster and Stratified Techniques were used in the distribution of the questionnaire. Relevant materials were reviewed and the theory of social responsibility and agenda setting were used as the theoretical framework for this research. After the analysis, findings showed that 78% believes that the media do not prioritize child right issues in Nigerian. They do not live up to their responsibilities of creating and sustaining awareness about child right issues in the society and the children are reported negatively in the media. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the media should devote more attention to child right protection issues and reports should be placed in more prominent positions, the government should push for the implementation of child right act as adopted by the country in 2003 as this will help in dishing out uniform sanction to culprits of child abuse. Government should invest in education and provide alternative economic opportunities for the children and also help the abused children find the right path in the society to reduce the rates of child depression and anxiety and the media should put more attention in the fight against child right issues because many families and children are dependent on the media to inform and educate them about the danger of child right issues.

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