CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the study

“Nuptial bliss” a public enlightenment programme context means the marriage blessing between husband and wife which is made on television as a programme to sensitize and influence  knowledge on people in general. Enlightenment came to Nigeria through the use of mass media, including television. According to Bauer and Bauer, (1960, p.11). The media are used to mould behaviour which is the most important function of enlightenment. The history of television could be traced from the birth of industrial revolution. This led to the emergence of electronic media ushered in a new phase in the history of human that is the age of science and technology that is to say, the era which television started to be in use.

The use of television has become a more intimate part of our daily life than any other medium of communication and entertainment because an average person spends more time watching television at leisure time than on any medium of communication. A brief look at the major characteristics of television according to McLuhan, (1964, p.20).reveals that the medium is the message in operational and practical fact. This started the personal and social consequences of any other medium with an extension of ourselves result from the new sealed that is introduced to our affair by any new medium of communication competing with the other ones that is newspaper and radio, its penetrating ability and dominance have contributed to the medium’s effectiveness in the area of dissemination of information. Television also achieved its population because of its nature of sound and picture on the peculiar broad appeal to the audience through the programmes being offered. The primary aim of television is to foster national unity, accelerate development, the world around us and also encourage entertainment, Mboho, (1986, p.91).

The present NTA Uyo which derives its existence and strength from the NTA Degree 23 of 1977 was established in 1992 by the Akwa Ibom State Government. Although NTA Uyo started as a booster station to NTA 9 Calabar in 1992 and only assumed full fledged station and status in (1993). NTA Uyo has its objectives which includes: to promote social value and norms create and promote political awareness among people towards the achievement of national goals. It selects critical relevant foreign culture for the purpose of enriching Nigeria culture and foster the spirit of self-discipline and self-sacrifice. Beaker (1964). The programmes expected from television should therefore be able to create awareness promote expression and mastery of information and skills.

However this study is necessary in order to determine the station is effectiveness in broadcasting public enlightenment programmes with particular reference to ‘Nuptial bliss’ and whether or not the station has lived up to the expectation in this regard.

1.2     Statement of the Problem

The level of development in the Nigeria nation has seriously affected the growth of the mass media and vice versa with particular reference to the television.

The imbalance in programmes development and management in the television authority can be traced to many factors which cut across finance, lack of independence of the media and the shortage of skilled man-power.

These problems have to a large extent impeded both the level of programmes development and the frequency of presentation of such enlightenment programmes.

In view of the above problems the researcher seeks to establish whether nuptial bliss public enlightenment programme still have influence on its viewers

1.3     Objectives of the study

The objectives of the study were to investigate, establish and highlight the influence of select public enlightenment programmes of NTA Uyo on the viewing of Ikot Ekpene.

1. To find out if NTA Nuptial bliss public enlightenment programme has promoted national integration and identity.
2. To assess whether NTA Uyo Nuptial bliss public enlightenment programmes promote cultural values of Ikot Ekpene indigenes
3. To investigate if the desired audience have benefitted from the nuptial bliss enlightenment programmes and to what extent
4. To find out the extent to which the audience have benefitted from the programme.