Broadcast News Commentaries As A Strategy For Social Change

This study examines the crucial role of news commentaries in social change. It accordingly recognizes that its true subject is always the audience, especially, how that audience is constructing social reality in their minds and daily lives. News commentary plays a strategic role in social change because it represents, or rather presents, society as something already under discussion, in the here and now, by media persons (press). In other words, it provides a communications infrastructure for the revolution of everyday life.
However, various obstacles exist in the path of Nigerian journalist that militate against effective performance of his/ her duties. Here lies the role of the press. This study takes a look at what constitutes a social change and the role news commentaries are plating and are also expected to play.
This research work is carried out to help determine and highlight some of the problems militating against the successful production and utilization of broadcast news commentary with special emphasis on broadcast media and the audience within Enugu metropolis. The aim here is to find out if news commentary truly affects social change, its limitations, and recommendations. It also proffers solutions that would help promote media effectiveness, based on the result of the analysis and findings.
This research exercise is divided into five chapters, viz, chapter one deals with the background of the study, statement of problem, objectives, scope, hypotheses and significance of the study. Chapter two deals with review of related literature. Chapter three deals with research methodology and design, while chapter four deals with data presentation and analysis of result. Chapter five deals with findings, conclusions and recommendations and limitations of the study stating some of the problems encountered in the course of this research exercise.
A reference of all library sources, or authors whose previous work were quoted or referred to by the researcher is made available at the end of this chapter. Also in carrying out this research, the major types of data employed include primary and secondary data. The primary data were obtained through questionnaires, surveys and observations, while the secondary data were collected from interviews and appraisal of available literature and documents.
In convulsion this research affirms that news commentary lies are indeed both a potent force and effective tool used to achieve social change. Recommendations were also made.