AUDIENCE EVALUATION OF CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES ON MAGIC FM

1.1 Background of the study Radio and television are already playing an important part in the informal education of the general public, but there is a tremendous opportunity to leverage on the capacity of broadcast media to foster children's intellectual growth and development(Davis and Tearle, 2017). The first effort to bring problems affecting children to the forefront was made in 1924 with the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child (United Nations for Children's Fund (UNICEF, 2019). This declaration was the first attempt to bring issues affecting children to the forefront. There were a number of other gatherings, each of which resulted in proclamations and agreements between governments to better the lives of children. On November 20, 1989, a resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly (resolution 44/25) that established and opened for signing, ratification, and accession the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This was the most significant event that took place in regard to children. The regulation went into force on September 2nd, 1990. Since then, about 191 nations have ratified it (UNICEF 2020). The Convention has resulted in a fundamental shift that has had significant consequences on the way people throughout the globe see children. As a result of this shift, different sectors of society, including the media, have been given the mandate to take the problems that are impacting children more seriously. The International Children's Television Charter is a document that was developed in response to criticism of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This document affirms the rights of children that are outlined in the Convention with regard to television programming that is intended for and about children. The Charter was given by supporters of children's television during the First World Summit on Children and Television, which was held in March 1995 in Melbourne, Australia. The summit was hosted by Australia. At the Prix Jeunesse Round Table in Munich on May 29, 1995, it underwent revisions and was given the go-ahead to be authorized. Since then, it has been adopted in numerous nations all over the globe (African Charter, 2020). One of the ways that education is advanced all over the world is via the use of various forms of mass media. Even though the degree to which the media are involved in education differs from one nation to the next, it is impossible to overstate the roles that the media play in enriching and supporting educational programs. Radio is playing a leading role in educational-oriented programming, particularly in developing countries where the availability, usage, or access to other media such as television and the internet is limited. Although all broadcasting channels are involved in educational-oriented programming, whether it be formal education or informal education, radio is playing a leading role. During the early stages of the development of mass media in Nigeria, when broadcast media was still in its infancy, the newspaper played a significant role in promoting the reading habit, particularly among churchgoers (Omu, 2021). Since a very early stage, radio has played an important role in many developing nations as an instructional medium. It has been confirmed in published reports that it has contributed funding to educational initiatives across a diverse range of subject areas and in a variety of nations. Recent years have seen a rise in people's interest in radio as a kind of educational media for a variety of reasons, one of which is likely that it helps improve the literacy development of both children and adults (Centre for Children and Technology, 2017). Radio learning programs such as "Abule Oloke Meje," "Auto-maintenance," and Girls Child Education on Ad Magic FM 88.9fm, to name just a few, have been effective in teaching youngsters how to read, calculate, recognize goals, and recognize colors (Elliot and Lashley, 2017). The use of specialized equipment for the production of television and radio programs that can be watched and listened to, as well as downloading the contents for further reviewing, has contributed to the diversification of technologies used in mass media through the involvement of the private sector and with the support of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) (Ullah et al., 2021). In addition to this, interactive radio education is used, in which lessons are presented live on the air and recorded so that they may be played again at certain times during the day or on other days (Elliot and Lashley, 2017). According to Nwabueze and Igboamauchey (2018), the role of the broadcast media as a key channel for boosting the academic performance of school pupils who are studying for various types of exams is supported by the findings of the study. Therefore, this study seeks to examine Audience Evaluation of Children’s Programmes on Magic FM Magic FM . 1.2 Statement of the problem Children’s media in Nigeria has shown an inconsistent development since the introduction of broadcasting in the country during British colonialism beginning in 1935. The reasons for the lack of consistent development are multifaceted and complex and revolve around political, economic, social, and regulatory factors. Central to this problem is the state of the media environment and the role of governmental and nongovernmental agencies in promoting policies that are favorable to the development of children’s media. In a country where children and their needs are largely marginalized, it is essential to advocate for strong policies that ensure diversity in media content that meet the cognitive, social and developmental needs of children. The state and structure of a country’s broadcasting system is an important determinant of the nature of children’s media. A public-service broadcasting system seeks to serve the interests of all minorities including children although the resources may not always be available to do so successfully. On the other hand, a privatized or commercialized broadcasting system creates opportunities for capital to flow in from the private sector and is therefore a valuable option to explore. Children radio programme use in education has the potential to innovate, accelerate, enrich, and deepen skills; to motivate and engage children; to help relate school experience to work practices; to create economic viability for tomorrow's workers; and to strengthen teaching and help schools change (Davis and Tearle, 2017). However, in recent times, serving the best interest of children is not always considered as a commercially viable strategy by private media especially radio programme in many developing countries of which Nigeria is not exceptional.Against the backdrop thereof, this research seeks to examine Audience Evaluation of Children’s Programmes on Magic FM Magic FM . 1.3 Objective of the study The primary objective of the study is to examine Audience Evaluation of Children’s Programmes on Magic FM Magic FM . The specific objectives is as follows: i. To find out the perception of Aba residents on the level of awareness of children's program on Magic FM . ii. To examine whether residents of Aba have access to educational children's program on Magic FM . iii. To investigate the perception of Aba resident on the influence of regular power supply on children's program on Magic FM . iv. To assess the perception of Aba residents on problems militating against the educational children's program on Magic FM . v. To suggest ways of improving the children's program on Magic FM . 1.4 Research Questions The following questions have been prepared for the study: i. What is the perception of Aba residents on the level of awareness of children's program on Magic FM ? ii. Do residents of Aba have access to educational children's program on Magic FM ? iii. Does regular power supply have an influence on children's program on Magic FM ? iv. What are the perception of Aba residents on the problems militating against the educational children's program on Magic FM ? v. What are the ways of improving the children's program on Magic FM ? 1.5 Significance of the study There has been a rapid increase in broadcasting services in Ghana over the last decades. More licenses are being given for private commercial radio stations. In considering these media changes it is imperative that the needs of children are not overlooked since they constitute a significant part of the media audience. This research is important because those who build educational curricula will benefit from it by gaining knowledge about how to generate radio programs with high production values and about the need of raising awareness about the existence of such programs' resources. In addition, the significance of the research will lie in the fact that it will provide recommendations for the enhancement of tactics that can result in a more effective usage of the educational radio programs. The study will be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature. 1.6 Scope of the study The study examines Audience Evaluation of Children’s Programmes on Magic FM Magic FM . The study thereby find answers to the following objectives which is: To find out the perception of Aba residents on the level of awareness of children's program on Magic FM . The study will also examine whether residents of Aba have access to educational children's program on Magic FM . The study will further investigate the perception of Aba resident on the influence of regular power supply on children's program on Magic FM . In addition, the study will assess the perception of Aba residents on problems militating against the educational children's program on Magic FM . Lastly, the study will suggest ways of improving the children's program on Magic FM . Hence, the study is delimited to Ad Magic FM 88.9fm Aba, Abia State. 1.7 Limitation of the study Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced. 1.8 Definition of terms Residents: a person who lives somewhere permanently or on a long-term basis. Perception: the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses. Children: a young human being below the age of puberty or below the legal age of majority. Programme: a set of related measures or activities with a particular long-term aim.