THE INFLUENCE OF RADIO PROGRAMMES ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY OF AKPABUYO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

This study examined the influence of radio programmes on rural development: a study of Akpabuyo local government area. The study was to determine whether radio has been making positive influence in the development of Akpabuyo LGA, to examine the challenges of radio in rural development and to find out the main contributions of radio in the Development of the rural areas of Akpabuyo LGA. The development media theory was adopted as the theoretical framework of the study. The study had employed the survey research method and the convenient sampling technique was used in the selection of the 150 respondents who constituted the accessible population of the study, the data gathered from the survey were analysed using the frequency count and simple percentage table. The findings of the study revealed that radio broadcasting has enhanced the residents communication ability in English language and equally plays the role of a middleman between the government and the residents. The study concluded that radio is a powerful development and equal development in the third world countries and Nigeria in particular. The study therefore recommends that the radio crew should find ways of encouraging more people and grassroots leaders to take part in radio programmes, either as guests or contributors, in the talk shows, phone-ins and other programmes as this will give them a sense of belonging in the role that radio programmes play towards rural development.