TELEVISION MESSAGES AND EKET RESIDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS POLITICAL VIOLENCE

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to examine Television messages and Eket Residents attitude towards political violence. The objectives guiding the study were to; investigate the level of exposure of Eket Residents To Television programmes on election; identify the television programmes against political violence in Eket metropolis; examine the extent to which television broadcasts messages shape Eket residents perceptions of political violence; and determine the effect of television programmes/messages on the attitude of Eket residents. The theoretical frameworks adopted for the study were Agenda setting theory and Social Responsibility Media Theory. The Survey method was adopted for the study; the populations of the study were residents of Eket metropolis projected at 218,438 people. Using Philip Meyer's guide of 1979, the sample size of the study was 383. The instrument for data collection were copies of questionnaire. The results were analyzed and interpreted Using simple percentages and frequency tables. Findings show that Eket residents are to a very large extent exposed to Television programme messages against political violence.Politics today on AKBC Television is the programme against political violence that Eket residents are mostly exposed to,Television broadcast message to a very large extent shape the perception of Eket residents on political violence. Television programme messages against political violence has a positive effect on the attitude of Eket residents.From the findings above, the study recommended that the government should sponsor more Media campaign messages against political violence using the broadcast media so as to create more awareness of the practice and impending problems. Government should also provide more financial assistance to broadcast media organizations to launch more Media campaign messages against political violence. The broadcast media organisations should step up the campaigns against political violence during electioneering period so as to promote peace and sustainable development in Akwa Ibom State. The study also recommend that the broadcast media messages concerning Political violence should be done in a way that it will discourage the people not to be involved in violence during and after elections.