Broadcast Media Coverage and Audience Members’ Attitudes to Food Security Issues in Akwa Ibom State
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.67487/ijprss.v2i3.282Keywords:
Development Communication, Agriculture, Survey, Agenda Setting/Framing Theories, Electronic MediaAbstract
This study examined how broadcast media programmes influence the attitudes of Akwa Ibom State residents toward food security. It adopted the survey research design. The population of the study was 7,738,200 people, from which the sample size of 384 was determined using the Philip Meyer sampling guide. The respondents were sampled through a multistage sampling technique, and the data for the study were collected using a structured questionnaire and interview guide. The questionnaire data were analysed with frequency counts and weighted mean analyses, while the interview data were handled using thematic analysis. The findings of this study showed that the majority (54%) of the respondents were confident about the accuracy and reliability of information broadcast on food security issues, and 73% were certain of the broadcast media's role in addressing food security issues. Also, the study showed that 57% were positive about the potential of high-quality broadcast media programmes to address food security issues. Furthermore, 95% of the respondents reported high exposure to food security issues in broadcast media programmes, particularly those related to food shortages caused by droughts, floods, conflict, political unrest, economic instability, and climate change, all of which disrupt food production, distribution, and pricing. Similarly, the majority (61%) noted that broadcast media programmes on food security were very helpful in providing an understanding of food security and its relevance to their daily lives, 57% affirmed that broadcast media programmes were successful, to some extent, in raising awareness about food availability in Akwa Ibom State. The findings led to the conclusion that while broadcast media have made significant strides in educating the respondents about food security, certain gaps exist. Recommendations were made, among other things, that there should be a continuous and more intensive effort to enhance media credibility by ensuring that food security programmes are backed by verified data from reliable sources.
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