MEDIA COVERAGE OF CHILD RIGHT AND PROTECTION ISSUES IN AKWA IBOM STATE WITH USE OF SELECTED MEDIA IN AKWA IBOM STATE

Abstract

This study was on Media coverage of child right and protection issues in Akwa ibom state with use of selected media in Akwa ibom state. A case study of AKBC. Three objectives were raised which included;  To ascertain the level of broadcast media coverage of child related issues in AKBC, to identify the issues (themes) that are reported on children and  to establish the extent of media coverage given to child rights and protection issues in AKBC. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from AKBC, Uyo. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).

 Chapter one

Introduction

1.1Background of the study

Given the role of the media at raising public awareness and determining issues for public debates and discussions, there is need for all media genres to adequately communicate child related information and contribute towards the protection of rights of the child who are deemed the societal future leaders and very vulnerable section of the public. Hence, the ways the media portray children has a profound impact on society’s attitude and behaviours towards them as well as on the ways the children could perceive themselves. It becomes a problem when the media do not adequately project stories of children, their lives, their rights, and protection while several cases relating to them in terms of abuse, labour, mortality, neglect, trafficking, prostitution, and so on still abound in the country. These many cases of the exploitation of children are rarely revealed and most times the people who provide the media with such information desire their anonymity preserved Poro, A. & Banjac, S. (2012)

On the contrary, the media should regard violation of the rights of children and issues related to children’s safety, privacy, security, their education, health and social welfare and all forms of exploitation as important questions for investigations and should be highlighted for public debates. When the rights of children are observed and respected, it is presumed that they will grow to become better citizens and contribute meaningfully to societal developments. If the reverse be the case, it is better imagined what such society will eventually turn into in the future. The argument here is that since the media is effective at sensitizing and informing the public, child related issues, especially issues relating to their rights and protection should be visible enough, such that the public would recognize and observe them. This will help reduce the incessant child related exploitative cases in the Nigerian society McIntyre, P. (2002).

Issues related to children’s rights have been a world focus since the year 1979, which United Nations designated as the International Year of the Child (IYC). Since then International bodies have called for more information to be given to children both through the media and at school so they can protect themselves about the dangers and risks associated with child exploitation. For instance the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which was passed on November 20th 1989, enshrines children’s right to freedom of expression; to protection of privacy and against attacks on his/her honour and reputation; and also calls on the mass media to disseminate information and material of social and cultural benefit to the child. Articles 34 and 36 commit governments to protecting children from all forms of exploitation, including pornography. How far the media is meeting with this responsibility is a question of concern. McCombs, M. E. (2004).

Even in Africa, the Organization of Africa Unity (OAU) in 1990 adopted a Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the African Child. The Charter had specified that the situation of most African Children, remains critical due to the unique factors of their socioeconomic, cultural, traditional and developmental circumstances, natural disasters, armed conflicts, exploitation and hunger and on account of the child’s physical and mental immaturity, he/she needs special safeguards and care (as cited in Awosala & Omoera, 2008). In this context, the media need to always set the child right issues as one of its major agendas, given that they possess the power to raise public awareness on issues. Thus, journalists are therefore charged with the responsibility of recognizing the basic rights of children and giving them salience. Apart from the media reporting children fairly, child’s right and protections issues should be frequently aired. On the other hand, children generally are seen and heard from a distance, reflecting a weakness that resonates through any discussion on media and the rights of children. Jempson (1997) reiterates that children aren’t considered “hot topics” for the media, not unless children feature in a scandalous or heart-rending story or in some shocking data or statistics.

Statement of the problem

Given the continued increase in the number of Nigerian broadcast media, with diverse multiplicity of programmes running on daily basis, there is need for proportionate and fair reportage of child related issues especially as they affect their rights and protections. Having also understood that the future of any nation lies in the well-being and improved living standards of children, there is need for adequate coverage and reportage of their issues such that effective actions could be taken to strategically address such, since they invariably affect the future of the larger society. The question is ‘what is the future of the Nigerian nation when children are often being neglected and unfairly reported with their rights being violated’? It is against this backdrop that the researchers wants to investigate media coverage of child right protection and protection issues in Akwa Ibom state with selected media in Akwa Ibom state

Objective of the study

The objectives of the study is to find out media coverage of child right and protection issues in Akwa Ibom state, Using AKBC as a case study

The objectives of the study are;

1. To ascertain the level of broadcast media coverage of child related issues in AKBC.
2. To identify the issues (themes) that are reported on children.
3. To establish the extent of media coverage given to child rights and protection issues in AKBC

Research hypotheses

H0: there is no level of broadcast media coverage of child related issues in AKBC.

H1: there is level of broadcast media coverage of child related issues in AKBC.

H0: there is no extent of media coverage given to child rights and protection issues in AKBC

H2: there is an extent of media coverage given to child rights and protection issues in AKBC

Significance of the study

The study will be very significant to students, government and parents. The study will give a clear insight on the media coverage of child right and protection issues in Akwa Ibom state. Using AKBC as a case study.

Limitation of the study

Limitations/constraints are inevitable in carrying out a research work of this nature. However, in the course of this research, the following constraints were encountered thus:

Non-availability of enough resources (finance): A work of this nature is very tasking financially, money had to be spent at various stages of the research such resources which may aid proper carrying out of the study were not adequately available.

Time factor: The time used in carrying out the research work is relatively not enough to bring the best information out of it. However, I hope that the little that is contained in this study will go a long way in solving many greater problems.

Definition of terms

Media coverage: Media coverage means any reporting, recording, broadcasting, narrowcasting, cablecasting or webcasting of court proceedings by the media using TV, radio, photographic, recording, or other electronic devices

Child right: Children’s rights are a subset of human rights with particular attention to the rights of special protection and care afforded to minors

Protection: Protection is any measure taken to guard a thing against damage caused by outside forces. Protection can be provided to physical objects, including organisms, to systems, and to intangible things like civil and political rights

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