USE OF RADIO IN REDUCING THE SPATE OF DIVORCE IN PORT HARCOURT: A SURVEY OF 98.5 TREASURE FM AUDIENCE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study: According to Kombo (2015), radio is an essential medium for bringing about social change through the dissemination of public education. The requirement that individuals have to communicate with one another is the driving force behind its existence. Communication is the process through which individuals participate in the interaction of exchanging ideas with one another, which is something that we do for the entirety of our lives. This dialogue, in its essence, is an effort to make changes to the conditions that are now surrounding us. In light of the information presented above, the objective of this research is to analyze the role that radio plays as a medium of interchange in encouraging women in Lagos to participate actively in political activities. Kombo (2015). Because other forms of communication such as television, interpersonal communication, and traditional forms of communication like newspapers and magazines are somewhat effective in creating awareness on the rate of divorce, the radio is given credibility in injecting family program ideas aimed at resolving family issues and awareness into the bloodstream of its market audience, which consists primarily of women (Amadi,2016).

In spite of this, individuals all across the globe have, from ancient times right up until the present day, made the conscious decision to become married and live together so that they may depend on one another. Despite this, some married couples are unable to keep their relationship together for a variety of reasons; thus, they choose for divorce, which is one of the methods available to deal with issues that arise between a husband and wife. Before getting married, most individuals give the decision a lot of thought. Despite this, recent years have seen a steady upward trend in the rates of divorce. One may make the case that getting a divorce is simpler today compared to times gone by. There are three primary reasons that couples decide to divorce: The fact that women now play radically different roles in society is the primary factor contributing to the recent spike in the divorce rate. In the past, males were the only ones who were required to make money in order to support their families, while women were solely responsible for housekeeping. Because women did not earn money, they were forced to rely on their husbands for financial support. It is impossible for the vast majority of married women to leave their spouses due to the circumstances described above. Regardless, the circumstances have undergone a complete transformation. There is a very obvious delineation between the roles that men and women are expected to play in today's society. Women are able to go out into the world and earn money, while men are expected to share domestic responsibilities like cooking, cleaning, and looking after children. It is abundantly evident that women are financially independent from money since they are able to generate money on their own to maintain their living costs; hence, they may think about getting a divorce with the smallest provocation. The stressful nature of contemporary life is another factor that helps to explain the recent uptick in divorce rates. There is a significant money of financial strain placed on a large number of individuals as a result of globalization. As a result of the fact that there is never enough money and that some couples are unable to successfully manage their finances, tension emerges, and the next option that might be considered is divorce. As a result, the purpose of this research is to investigate the efficacy of radio in lowering the rate of divorce in Port Harcourt by conducting an audience survey of 98.5 treasure fm.

​​​​​​​Statement of the Problem

As an awareness of the mass media, radio has played a social role in the process of social development in a variety of nations, both those that are now developing and those that are already established. After conducting a study on radio as a means of creating awareness on Nigeria's high divorce rate, Agbalajobi (2015) discovered that of the 82 percent of respondents who listened to radio, 61 percent did so daily, 14 percent 3–6 days a week, and 7 percent 1–2 days a week. This supports the hypothesis that radio is widely available in Nigeria.

According to Ikwuji (2002), Mirror (2003), and Walter (2005), the dissolution of marriage appears to be on the rise, and it is becoming an increasingly unpleasant experience for divorcing couples, as well as for the children of divorcing couples and for society as a whole. Weiss (2000) came to the conclusion that divorcees face a variety of difficulties due to the fact that their specific circumstances and patterns of adjustment are unique to them. This appears to be a source of unfathomable misery not just for the divorcees themselves but also for society as a whole. This widespread marital failure results in a string of broken homes and a gradual breakdown of the family unit. According to government officials, this is the foundation of society's ills because children who grow up in these circumstances are more likely to become susceptible to social vices such as begging, drug abuse, and prostitution. Consequently, there is a pressing need to investigate the potential role of radio in stemming the rising tide of divorce in Port Harcourt; thus, a poll of 98.5 Treasure FM listeners is required.

​​​​​​​Objective of the Study

The general objective of the study is to examine the use of radio in reducing the spate of divorce in Port Harcourt: a survey of 98.5 treasure fm audience. The specific objectives is as follows:

1. To examine if audience of  treasure fm in Port Harcourt are aware of divorce programme aired in the station.

2. To find out if the use of radio has helped in reducing divorce rate in Port Harcourt.

3. To investigate the challenges of treasure fm in their quest to reaching out to their audience and help troubled families going through divorce.

4. To analyze if radio has been an effective tool in dishing out marital based programmes.

Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

1. Are audience of  treasure fm in Port Harcourt are aware of divorce programme aired in the station?

2. Has  the use of radio has helped in reducing divorce rate in Port Harcourt?

3. What are the challenges of treasure fm in their quest to reaching out to their audience and help troubled families going through divorce?

4. Has radio been an effective tool in dishing out marital based programmes?

Research Hypothesis

The following hypothesis have been formulated for the study:

H01:Audience of  treasure fm in Port Harcourt are aware of divorce programme aired in the station

H02: Radio has been an effective tool in dishing out marital based programmes.

​​​​​​​Significance of the Study

This study will be significant to the national broadcasting commission as it will be exposed to the high rate of divorce in the country thereby encouraging owners of radio stations to carry out educative programmes on divorce.

The study will be of benefit to married couples as they will be exposed to finding out other solution to their marriage outside of divorce.

The study will be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature.

​​​​​​​Scope of the Study

This study will examine if audience of  treasure fm in Port Harcourt are aware of divorce programme aired in the station. The study will also find out if the use of radio has helped in reducing divorce rate in Port Harcourt. The study will further investigate the challenges of treasure fm in their quest to reaching out to their audience and help troubled families going through divorce. Lastly, the study will analyze if radio has been an effective tool in dishing out marital based programmes. Hence, the study is delimited to 98.5 treasure Fm audience.

​​​​​​​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.

​​​​​​​Definition of Terms

Radio: the transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves of radio frequency, especially those carrying sound messages.

Divorce: the legal dissolution of a marriage by a court or other competent body.

1.10 Organization of the Study

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the  review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study,  sample size determination,  sample size, abnd selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.