THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN CURBING THE SPREAD OF CORONA VIRUS IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The role of the mass media a a tool for disseminating information cannot be underrated. The out break of Covid-19 led to upsurge in health crisis globally from its first mention in Wuhan China disrupting not just health but social and economic activities.Astonishingly, in the first three months after COVID-19 emerged Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, a devastating number of new cases were reported across China and several countries around the world.  And it was finally declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 2020 (WHO 2020). Evidence indicates that COVID-19 transmitted through respiratory droplets via contact routes such as the mouth, nose, and conjunctiva or eyes (UNICEF 2020).According to the Worldometer 2020 report, the outbreak has been confirmed in over 21,628,638 individuals worldwide and resulted in more than 769,128 deaths as of August 16, 2020, of which 99% cases were found in mild condition. More than 213 countries reported laboratory-confirmed corona virus cases. In Africa, 1,113,246 confirmed cases and 25,385 deaths were reported(Worldometre 2020).

 Media is known as one the most important means of communication, in this era. During this crisis situation, mass media informs and aware the people. Media has the power to calm the people as well as encourage people for positive action, and vice versa, terrorize people and make chaos. With increasing reach and influencing of media in today’s time, they became a most important part of society in crisis. Media helps to access the situations by bringing information to managers, policymakers and citizens, and speed is increased with the help of which information are collected, accumulated and supplied. However Media could be the instrument at which masses learn practices while would help curtail the spread of the novel disease. In crisis situation, public opinion is badly affected, here media could control the emotions of public and their opinion with positivity. More so advertisement by different brands on the covid-19 safety prescriptions could be portrayed by media which would help curtail the spread of covid-19.

 1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In every society, there is no gain say that the media plays a vital role in bringing to the awareness of the masses the prevalent situations. However their role during this  crisis period that be devilled world economies should be directed towards enhancing lifestyles, thus is pertinent to assess the role of the media as a contributory factor to enlighten the masses on the need to practice safe hygiene, comply to covid-19 safety measures to curtail the spread of the novel corona virus. It is worthy to note that even while media carry ou their responsibility they should share hope and not fear or over  exaggeration  of the pandemic situation as this would have not just a physical  impact on the listeners or viewers of such information but also their psychological health is affected.Therefore it is on this note that this study is set to examine the role of the media in curbing the spread of corona virus in Nigeria

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY:

This study is geared towards examining the role of the media in curtailing the spread of corona virus in Nigeria. Specifically it seeks:

1.     To examine the different types of media used for disseminating information

2.     To investigate the ways  used by  media  in curbing the spread of corona virus

3.     To determine the level of involvement of the media in curbing the spread of corona virus in Nigeria

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study in it entirety will be beneficial to the body of knowledge. Specifically it will expose government and private owned media on the need to ensure that panic-free information on covid-19 is portrayed to the society. It will enable media presenters come with creative and development oriented program to ensure that the spread of of corona virus is reduced to the barest minimum. It will equip the masses with firsthand information on the need to comply with safety measures as advertised on the media for the personal health benefit.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTION

1. what are the different types of media used in information dissemination?

2. What are the ways medias implored in curbing the spread of corona virus?

3. What is the level of involvement of the media in curbing the spread of corona virus?

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study will be to examine the role of the media in curbing the spread of corona virus in Nigeria using  Channels Television Lagos as a case study.

1.7 LIMITATION OF STUDY
Financial constraint– Insufficient fund tends 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).
Time constraint– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8.OPERATIONAL DEFINITION

Role: A role is a set of connected behaviors, rights, obligations, beliefs, and norms as conceptualized by people in a social situation

Media:The term media, which is the plural of medium, refers to the communication channels through which we disseminate news, music, movies, education, promotional messages and other data. It includes physical and online newspapers and magazines, television, radio, billboards, telephone, the Internet, fax and billboards.

Spread: the development or growth of something so that it covers a larger area or affects a larger number of people

Curb:this is the act or influence of limiting the occurrence of something.stopping the rate at which something happens

Covid-19:Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is defined as illness caused by a novel corona virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2.