EFFECTIVENESS OF RADIO PROGRAMMES IN CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILD ABUSE IN IMO STATE

ABSTRACT: The study was on the effectiveness of radio programmes on the campaign against child abuse inImo State. Child abuse has become one of the social maladies plaguing the global society in varying degreesparticularly in Nigeria. Despite all the provisions of extant laws in the country, many Nigerian children are stillsubjected to physical and mental violence, neglect and maltreatment. The objectives of this research amongothers were to identify the extent to which Imo State residents are aware of child abuse through Darling 107.3Fm “The Consequence” programme; identify the extent to which exposure to Darling 107.3 Fm “TheConsequence” programme improve the knowledge of Imo State residents in the campaign against child abuse;and determine the effectiveness of Darling 107.3 Fm “The Consequence” programme in influencing thebehaviour residents of Imo State residents‟ behaviour on issues of child abuse. The study was anchored onagenda setting and social responsibility theories. Survey research method was used for this study. The samplesize was 385, statistically determined using Australian online calculator. Multi-stage sampling technique wasused based on the three senatorial zones and 27 Local Government Areas of the State. The findings reveal thatthe extent to which Imo State residents were aware of child abuse through Darling 107.3 Fm “TheConsequence” programme is moderate at 40%; the extent which exposure to Darling 107.3 FM “Theconsequence” programme improved the knowledge of Imo State residents in the campaign against child abuse ismoderate andDarling 107.3 Fm “The Consequence” programme is effective in influencing Imo State residents‟behaviour on issues of child abuse.The study therefore, recommends thatthere is need for the persistent use ofradio to report issues of public importance like child abuse in other to improve people‟s level of awareness andknowledge on child abuse related issues

Keywords: Child Abuse, Radio Programmes, Campaign, Imo State