ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to investigate audience perception of Africa Independent Television (AIT) coverage of political news programmes. The study was anchored on Frame Theory and Agenda-Setting Theory. To achieve the objective of this study, the researcher adopts descriptive research method. The population of this study consists of four hundred and twenty seven thousand, eight hundred and seventy-eight (427, 878) residents of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, Lagos State. This population is specifically chosen to ensure that data collected are accurate. The researcher employs Taro Yamane techniques to draw out the sample size of four hundred respondents that participated in the study. The findings showed that audience attach importance to the status and pedigree of African Independent Television (AIT) hence influences their perception and believes and in the way they react to certain issues of life. It revealed that AIT political news coverage has passive influence on its citizenry by: Keeping the citizens abreast of current events and raising awareness of various issues on politics and act as a watchdog over the government. Finally the survey revealed that African Independent Television (AIT) political news coverage is of good quality, timely, precise and detailed political news programs. Political news coverage on AIT was also found to be accurate/factual, relevant, trustworthy, reliable, free from bias and are reported by well-trained reporters. To this end the researcher recommended that media organizations and press bodies should organize seminars and workshops to sensitize and educate journalists on the significance and effects of news content especially when covering political and conflict news programmes in other to improve their skills and professionalism.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
1.2 Statement of the research problem
1.3 Enumeration and Analysis of Political News Programmes on Africa Independent
Television (AIT).
1.4 Objectives of the study
1.5 Research questions
1.6 Significance of study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Operational definition of terms
CHAPTER TWO: Literature Review
2.1 Theoretical Review
2.1.1 Frame Theory
2.1.2 Agenda-Setting Theory
2.2 Conceptual Review
2.2.1 Politics and the role of media
2.2.2 Understanding the Audience
2.2.3 Audience perceptions of political news coverage on televisions and other media
2.2.4 Credibility of Political News Coverage on Television
2.3 Empirical Review
CHAPTER THREE: Methodology
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population of the Study
3.3 Sample Size
3.4 Sampling Techniques
3.5 Research Instrument
3.6 Validity and Reliability of Research Instrument
3.7 Administration of Instrument
3.8 Method of Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR: Data Analysis, Results and Interpretation
4.1 Demographic Distribution of respondents
CHAPTER FIVE: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations
5.1 Summary of Findings
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations
REFERENCES
APPENDIX: Questionnaire
