The Role of Mass Media in Community Development

The Role of Mass Media in Community Development

Chapter One of The Role of Mass Media in Community Development

 INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Over the years, man has lived in the dark era; been of certain information, but today mass media has played a significant role in the development of our communities, a medium through which message travel from the source to the receiver.

Mass Media is designed as information and news such as newspapers, magazine, television that reach and influence large number of people. It is said that big minds discuss issues but small minds discuss persons.

The significance of communication for human mind cannot be over estimated. This is true because beyond the physical requirements of food and shelter, man needs to communicate with his/her fellow human beings.

There are specific roles which mass media play in the development of our communities which include, the transmission of social heritage, entertainment functions of the environment, correlation of part of the society, educating the masses and mobilization function, that is to say that without communication, no society can exist much less develop and survive.

For the existence as well as the organization of every society, communication is a fundamental and vital process. It could be seen from the forgoing functions that mass media provide information and education, personal identity, entertainment and most importantly, integration and social interaction, by giving insight into the circumstances of others as well as helping the development of social empathy.

The role of mass media in rural community has grown in context of communication changing with the  proper use of communication media in shaping and channeling the minds of the rural communities in the use that help them, and it will go a long way in helping their condition. It is therefore important to investigate the role of mass media in community even down to local government level to make the rural communities developed.

This research will focus on youths in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State looking at the role of mass media in the development of Obubra communities. In this information age were communicated  it has been taken as vital instrument for rural economic, social and political development. Even in most rural communities where media are complex are partially available, information is shared among the people who cannot read or write and get them to maintain a stable system of living.

This study intends to finds out the impact of mass media in communities in the context of development. It will also look at the extend of variables such as educational qualification, occupation and income differentials among youths in Obubra.

The purpose of the study

The purpose of this study is to examine the role played by the mass media in contributing to the community development it is also to examine the extend which mass media has contributed to the development of the community in Obubra.

It will also determine the means and sources of mass media that are available to the people of Obubra.

The study hopes to find out what can be done to improve the condition of the said communities of Obubra Local Government Area   of Cross River State.

The work will determine if there is any adverse impact of exposure to mass media on the people of Obubra and how this can be eliminated or minimized.

It will also examine problem faced by mass media practitioners in this community.

The scope of the study

his study is restricted to Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State. Respondent cut across  Onyadama, Appiapum, Ovokuwa, ofat, Ovonum, Oderegha, Ofoduga, Obubra village, Ofongbongha No 4, and Ahaha-these are communities that have been selected for this research. The primary concern of this  research is on the mass media, community development and youths in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The significance of the study

There are many people that will benefit from this research. Both the young and the old will gain a lot of things from this work. The level of education will not only be improved by mass media among the youths but also among the old ones. This research will be of advantage to everybody in the community because the knowledge of how to provide solution to community’s problems will be acquired. The knowledge of modern education system through the use of computer will be gained by the help of mass media. Though this research is based on Ten communities, it is organized in such a way that highlight the role played by the mass media in community development.

Consequently, mass media will provide education, entertainment and technological advancement, to the youths of Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State.