CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
In recent times, the Nigerian states of the nation has been beclouded with numerous insecurity
challenges. The problems in the country stem from political uncertainty, poverty and inflation,
corruption, Boko Haram terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, ethnic diversity and regionalism. The
abundance security happenings in the country have also open up channels for media organizations
to beam the watchdog searchlight in the analysis and interpretation of events. The media set agenda
through the public affairs broadcast by giving in-depth analysis of happenings to justify their public
affairs calling.
In Public affairs broadcasting, topical issues of concern are brought to the public domain, through
thorough discussion and examination of those issues, to enlighten the public and awaken their
sense of responsibility in the society and those of the government (Chima, 2014). By the nature of
critical issues put forward on the public domain, communication scholars have pay closer attention
to interpreting media systems in comparative studies (Esser & Hanitzsch, 2012). One key reason
behind this trend is that cross-national comparative studies allow scholars to generalize their
findings, moving beyond the narrow prism of a nation to explore patterns and trends internationally
(Aalberg & Cushion, 2016). With an ever-expanding menu of information sources, concerns have
been raised about the democratic value of news provision and whether citizens are becoming better
informed about happenings or engaged with what is happening in the world around them (Aalberg,
Soroka, Curran, Hayashi & Shanto, 2013; Cushion, 2012). In other words, the enhanced quantity
of news is been expended by thorough analysis and interpretation. The study by Waldahl, Andersen
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& Ronning (2009) confirmed that broadcast news become ‘softer’ by providing other background
on issues of human interest. The study also revealed that the majority of broadcast news in recent
times is classified as hard news, by the high impact level of the story in the society. Consequently,
the essence of providing other details and background, and the huge human-interest angle are the
crux of public affairs broadcasting.
The mass media, serving the watchdog function of the society, thus, provide vital information
which enhances knowledge and generates awareness on matters, issues, event or the happenings
as a requirement for organizing or restructuring public influences and action. These public affairs
programmes have helped in curbing societal ills such as, indecency, corruption, obnoxious cultural
practices, dehumanization etc. and have also raised alarm for the implementation of policies for
societal good. Consequent on the obnoxious states of the nation in Nigeria, public affairs
programmes have served as a forum for public debate on burning issues that affects the society for
mutual interest and general benefit. It creates a platform for effective participation by members of
the public which helps in widening their knowledge base about their immediate environment and
the world at large (Orjiakor, Ani, Anyanwu & Nnabuife, 2015).
In a democratic society like Nigeria, the media, especially television, is one of the major sources
of audio-visual communication in the society. The media through television stations disseminate
information, news items, showcase political programmes, developmental projects and pitfalls of
the various arms of government in a particular country. Television Continental, (TVC, the Nigeria
award winning station of the year, 2019 and 2020) has been known for promoting news and
information related to politics and major happenings in Nigeria. Specifically trending, is the
programme ‘Journalists’ Hangout’ which has caught the attention of many Nigerians in recent
times. Viewers not only listen to news, they also analysed, select, give opinions and make
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comments on how they perceive media agenda on politics and other happenings in Nigeria.
Journalist Hangout, is a daily week-day political programme on TVC that designed to enlighten
the public on national issues such as politics, security, business, sports etc. The programme is a
talk show-discussion that brings together journalists from different media to enlighten the viewers
on issues affecting National interest.
Consequent on the significant nature of television in the society, Baran (2006) states that the
growing influence of television news in the 1960s and 1970s drew researcher’s attention to the
role of television in the electoral process. In the early days of mass media, television was used for
presidential campaigns. The candidates needed to appeal to the public in their own individual ways,
so they would use the television to do it. This is as a result of the wide reach that it offers; its ability
to reach everyone with a television set at the same time. “In truth, broadcasting has become an
indispensable form for the practice of politics and governance in all modern nation states. The
reasons are quite simple. No other medium can deliver as large and instantaneous an audience to
the politicians or government as broadcasting can. It is also the belief all over the world that
broadcasting is an eminently persuasive medium; omnipresent in people’s homes, working places
even in transit. It is akin to a second skin through which most people stay in touch with their
immediate environment and the world at large (Udeajah, 2004). Accordingly, this study examines
audience perception of the TV program, “Journalists’ Hang Out” public affairs programme on
Television Continental (TVC).
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The broadcast media play crucial roles in setting agenda and interpreting topical problems in the
society. Issues emanating from the states of the nation and governance are been analysed and put
in the public domain for immediate action through public affairs broadcasting. Accordingly, the
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political information environment has been used as a concept to interpret the overall flow of news
cross-nationally (Aalberg et al., 2010; Esser et al., 2012). The extent, source and prominence of
information about politics in news cultures can provide some insight into the opportunities citizens
have to learn about public affairs (Hallin & Mancini, 2004). In a developing country (like Nigeria)
faced with plethora cases of insecurity and unstable democracy, public affairs broadcasting has
become a central part of national news media environments where people access their democracies
and advance solutions to the country’s problem. Accordingly, since its inception, Television
Continental ‘Journalists’ Hangout’ programme has caught the attention of its audience as a public
affairs programme that addresses issues of societal importance in Nigeria. With the increasing
citizens’ knowledge on current affairs and happenings in Nigeria, ranging from governance,
politics and terrorism, this study examines audience perception of the TV program, “Journalists’
Hang Out” public affairs programme on Television Continental (TVC).
1.3 Objectives of the Study
Generally, this study examines audience perception of TVC ‘Journalists’ Hangout’ public affairs
programme in Nigeria. Specifically, the study is guided by the following objectives:
1. To assess the role of TVC 'Journalists' Hangout' in enhancing viewers' understanding of
political developments in South West Nigeria.
2. To evaluate the representation of diverse political perspectives on TVC 'Journalists'
Hangout' public affairs program.
3. To determine the impact of TVC 'Journalists' Hangout' on public discourse and agendasetting in Nigeria.
1.4 Research Questions
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1. What role does TVC 'Journalists' Hangout' play in enhancing viewers' understanding of
political developments in South West Nigeria?
2. How effectively does TVC 'Journalists' Hangout' represent diverse political perspectives in
its public affairs program?
3. What impact does TVC 'Journalists' Hangout' have on public discourse and agenda-setting
in Nigeria?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This study aims at examining the public perception on the impact of TVC ‘Journalist hangout’
public affairs program in Nigeria. The study would be of great significance. Producers of current
affairs programs will benefit from this research work as it will enable them know how audiences
perceive the program as well as what influences their participation. Solutions and
recommendations will help media practitioners improve on program production for audience
suitability. The study will also help to examine the agenda setting roles of Journalists Hangout on
TVC on public enlightenment and mobilization for national development of Nigeria. In other
words, it will look into the level of prominence the media give to the issues of national
development. To the society, the significance of this study cannot be overemphasized as it will be
of great help in shaping their perception about the role of the media in the society. Finally, this
research will add to general knowledge and serve as a reference material especially to media
practitioners, lecturers and students of mass communication and may encourage further studies in
the area.
1.6 Scope of the Study
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The major focus of the study is to examine the audience perception of the public affairs program
on TVC, "Journalists' Hangout" in Nigeria; hence, the study is limited to viewers of the TV
program in Zaria. The researcher also considered Journalist Hangout as the public affairs
programme to use because of its relative popularity among a number of television viewers in
Nigeria today. The study will be conducted in Zaria local government area of Kaduna state,
Nigeria, over a period of a year, 2024. A quantitative research design will be employed, utilizing
structured questionnaires distributed to a representative sample of the audience. These
questionnaires will feature a combination of multiple-choice and Likert scale questions, and
collected data will be analysed using statistical methods to draw meaningful conclusions and
identify significant trends.
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Aalberg, T. Cushion, S. (2016). Public service broadcasting, hard news, and citizens’ knowledge
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Chima, P. E. (2014). A comparative evaluation of the pre-and post-deregulation challenges of
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