UYO RESIDENT’S PERCEPTION OF MASS MEDIA COVERAGE OF PUBLIC POLICIES IN AKWA IBOM STATE.

ABSTRACT This research work examined Uyo Residents’ Perception of Mass Media Coverage of Public Policies in Akwa Ibom State. Despite the crucial role of mass media in shaping public opinion and influencing policy decisions, there is a growing concern that mass media coverage of public policies in Akwa Ibom State may be inadequate, biased and misleading which may impact citizens’ understanding and engagement with governance. The Objectives of this research was to ascertain the level of exposure of Uyo residents to media coverage of public policies in Akwa Ibom State, to identify the public policies covered most by the media in Akwa Ibom State, to determine the media channel (s) that present information on public policies most, to ascertain the public policies perception of Uyo residents on public policies as a result of media coverage. The theoretical framework that was used in this research were the Agenda Setting Theory and the Framing Theory. The research work uses multistage cluster sampling technique, employed a Survey Method, selecting 400 respondents from a population of 427,000 using the Taro Yamane formula .The Questionnaire was the primary data collection instrument, and data were organised using Simple Tables, Frequency, and Percentages. The findings of the research were that Uyo residents have a significant level of exposure to media coverage of public policies in Akwa Ibom State, The study further identifies social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, as the most effective channels for presenting information on public policies. the research recommends that mass media outlets in Akwa Ibom State increase their coverage of public policies, ensure balanced reporting, and engage citizens in policy discussions. Also, policymakers should prioritize transparency and accountability in their communication with the public policies.