Influence of Broadcast Media Enlightenment Campaigns on Solid Waste Management in South-South of Nigeria

Abstract

One of the environmental challenges in developing countries is unhealthy disposal of solid waste. Indiscriminate dumping of waste is a common practice across Nigeria.  This study examines the influence of the broadcast media enlightenment campaigns on solid waste management for positive attitudinal change in the South-South Geo-Political Zone of Nigeria. In order to determine the relationship between public awareness of the broadcast media and attitudinal change towards solid waste management enlightenment campaigns, survey research and content analysis methods were adopted. Three research instruments were used to obtain data. They were interviews, programmes schedule of broadcast media and questionnaire. The responses obtained from the interviews were used as part of the discussion of findings. Two sampling techniques were adopted for the study. They were the purposive and cluster (multi-stage) sampling techniques. These techniques enable the researcher to select the target respondents from a large group. The Taro Yamani formula for sample size was employed to obtain the sample size. Two thousand and four hundred (2,400) copies of the questionnaire were administered to the south-south states with the help of research assistants and the researcher. Four hundred copies were administered to each of these states. The states are; Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states.  However, two thousand, three hundred and fifty seven (2,357) copies were retrieved. Results obtained showed irregular and poor enlightenment campaigns by the broadcast media on solid waste management in all these states. This resulted to poor attitude to waste management by inhabitants. The result also showed that positive attitude towards solid waste management depended on regularly broadcast media enlightenment campaigns. However, responsible environmental behaviour remains the best approach to solid waste management and other environmental problems.

Keywords: Attitudinal change, Broadcast media, Enlightenment campaigns, Solid waste management