Public Perception of Media Reportage of Population Growth and Its Implication on National Development

Public Perception of Media Reportage of Population Growth and Its Implication on National Development.

ABSTRACT  

The need for population checks in any country cannot be over-emphasized. This need becomes very important in a country like Nigeria where people depend on speculations for information in all spheres of life. It was reported from the latest updated census figures that the population of Nigeria is 167 million. This number is alarming in a country which depend mainly on importation of virtually every need of her citizens and on one source of income.

The social responsibility theory and the perception theory was used in this research work to further explain the role of the media and its effectiveness in bringing the dangers of overpopulation to the government and the public and also to see the public perception of how the media has been reporting the issues of overpopulation and its implication on the nation’s development.

The survey method was used in this study to elicit responses from the 385 respondents generated through probability sampling on their perception of how the media have been able to provide adequate information on population growth and how it affects national development. The data got were presented and analysed using simple charts and tables.  

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page – – – – – – – – – – i
Certification – – – – – – – – – – ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgements – – – – – – – – – jv
Table of Contents – – – – – – – – – v
Abstract – – – – – – – – – – vii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study – – – – – – – l
1.2 Statement of the Problem – – – – – – – 4
1.3 Objectives of the Study – – – – – – – 5
1.4 Research Questions – – – – – – – – 6
1.5 Significance of the Study – – – – – – – 6
1.6 Scope of the Study – – – – – – – – 7
1.7 Definition of Terms – – – – – – – – 8
References

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Review of Related Studies – – – – – – – 10
2.2 An Over View of Perception – – – – – – – 12
2.3 Public Perception of Media – – – – – – – 14
2.4 Population and National Development – – – – – 21
2.5 Effect of Over Population – – – – – – – 23
2.6 Population Control in Nigeria- – – – – – – 25
2.7 Population Policies and Problem of Communication – – – – 27
2.8 Theoretical Framework – – – – – – – 31
2.8.1 The Social Responsibility Theory – – – – – – 31
2.8.2 The Perception Theory – – – – – – – 34
References

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design – – – – – – – – 38
3.2 Area of Study – – – – – – – – – 38
3.3 Population of the Study – – – – – – – 39
3.4 Sample Size – – – – – – – – – 39
3.5 Sampling Technique – – – – – – – – 40
3.6 Description of Research Instruments – – – – – – 40
3.7 Validity of Research Instruments – – – – – – 41
3.8 Reliability of Research Instruments – – – – – – 41
3.9 Method of Data Collection – – – – – – – 42
3.10 Method of Data Analysis – – – – – – – 42
References

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF
FINDINGS
4.1 Data Presentation and Analysis – – – – – – 44
4.2 Discussion of Findings – – – – – – – 58

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary – – – – – – – – – 64
5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – – – 65
5.3 Recommendations – – – – – – – – 67
5.4 Limitations of the Study – – – – – – – 67
5.5 Suggestions for further studies – – – – – – 68
Bibliography
Appendix

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INTRODUCTION  

The media have contributed to the growth and development of the society in terms of political, economic, cultural, educational, agricultural and social system, etc. Fundamentally, media have become an essential part of our life. Moreover, the media played most significant role towards promoting the political, social and economic aspirations of the nation (Uche, 1998). In the context of sustainable development, the press or mass media remains a vital instrument in the realization of nations’ goals.

It is believed that the media motivate the people as well as ensure participation in the growth and developmental process apart from informing and educating members of the society (Adebayo, 2003). As part of her surveillance role in respect to information and news, the media as instrument of development, is expected to inform and educate members of the society on specific areas of national development.

The reason for media reportage on population programmes and policies in developing societies, such as Nigeria is to make the public understand the need to watch the rapidly growing population and how it affects national development. In addition, information from the media have been considered as the backbone for rural, social and economic development.

However, beyond information and transmission role of the media, the media provides, to a large extent, background details relevant to the news, explanations of related events, analysis of their importance and implication. The media possess the capacity to do this better. (Dennis and Defleur, 1994). The ever-increasing world population growth rate and the rapidity of such increase, particularly for developing nations have been of concern to population analysts and policy makers and media practitioners. 

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Asemah, E. S. (2011). Selected Mass Media Themes. Jos: University Press
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Ehrlich, P. R. (1968). Population control or race to oblivion? The population Bomb. New
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Feldman, R. S. (1999). Understanding Psychology, fifth edition, New York USA. McGraw Hill.
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StudentsandScholarship Team.