ASSESSMENT OF “THE CONSEQUENCE” AND “PLAY SCHOOL” RADIO PROGRAMMES AND CHILD RIGHTS ACT IN IMO STATE

ABSTRACT: This study assessed “The Consequence” and “Play School” radio programmes and Child RightsAct in Imo State. In order to achieve this, the study raised specific objectives which were to: find out the level ofawareness and knowledge of residents of Imo State on “The Consequence” and “Play School” programme andto ascertain their level of knowledge on child rights act based on the programmes; examine the perception,residents of Imo State have on child rights through these programmes and determine the influence of theprogrammes on the behavior of Imo State residents on issues of child rights. Anchored on the Agenda settingtheory, survey research design was adopted using questionnaire as instrument for data collection. The totalpopulation of the study was 5,408,756. The Taro Yamane formula was used to arrive at a sample size of 400. Atotal of 400 copies of the questionnaire were distributed and 385 retrieved. The multi-stage sampling techniquewas adopted. The findings of this study revealed that “The Consequence” and “Play School” programmes hadlittle influence on residents of Imo State as 75.5% of the majority were not influenced by the programmes as aresult of unawareness of the programmes. It also revealed that the programmes influenced the few (14.3%)residents who listened to it because it shaped their attitude and behaviour towards children. The studyrecommended that the broadcast time be changed to a prime time since the station has large listenership, so thatall those who are not aware of these two programmes can become aware of it when they tune in.

Keywords: Radio Programmes, Child Rights Act, Imo State