CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
Mass media is regarded as the eye and hear of the people. The mass media which comprise of newspaper, television and radio as well as magazine help the populace to be aware of the various events near and far away. The media is inseparable with the society because of the numerous roles they play in our society. The mass media are very powerful socializing agents. The media which mainly newspaper, magazine as well as radio and television reach large heterogeneous and widely dispersed audiences. It is axiomatic that the mass media can reach million of people over huge areas very quickly even from the other side of the world by spreading news, information, entertainment and propaganda, persuade us to buy certain things or to change over opinion on various matters. Indeed mass media represent a powerful tool socializing. Mass media through their different programme increased the level of literacy in society by provide educative programme for the people especially radio and television provide educative programmes that teach. The media do not only transmit information and messages but also provide visual oriented (Picture) of government activities like Universal Basic Education programme e. t. c.
The government and other organization use the mass media to communicate with the public. The mass media do not only teach, publish and transmit news on events they provide opportunity for the people to express their feelings about any credibility, accountability of government or show their grievances to any government actions. The media equally teach the individual or public the norms and values of society reinforces norms and values. The media are therefore useful as political instruments of socialization. The activities of major newspaper, magazine, radio, television have further stipulated that the survival of any social system in a country depends largely on mass media.
Functions of Mass Media
Harold Lasswell {1984} lists four diferent roles which mass media perform: They are Entertainment Function Informative Function Correlation of the Environment Transmission of Cultural Heritage On the other hand, Universal Basic Education (UBE) Programme is an educational programme aimed at eradicating illiteracy, ignorance and poverty. It is in compliance with the Declaration of the World Conference on Education for All (WCEFA) which was made in Jomtien, Thailand in 1990, and Bating clearly in Article 1 that every person – child, Youth on Adult – shall be able to benefit from educational opportunities designed to meet their basic needs. This declaration was reaffirmed at the World Summit for Children held in 1990, which stated that all children should have access to basic education by the year 2000.
The World Summit for Children placed a lot of emphasis on raising the levels of female literacy. In a bid to achieve education goals, the Dakar World Education Forum was held as a follow-up meeting to the WCEFA where new sets of goals were set to be attained by the year 2015. The goals include: 1. Expanding and improving comprehensive early childhood care and education, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children. According to the Universal Basic Education Commission Bulletin (UBEC) (2004), the objectives of the programme, among others, include: Developing in the entire citizenry a strong consciousness for education and a strong commitment to its vigorous promotion; The provision of free, universal basic education for every Nigerian child of school-going age; reducing drastically the incidence of dropouts from the formal school system (through improved relevance, quality and eiciency); and ensuring the acquisition of appropriate levels of literacy, numeracy, manipulative, communicative and life skills, as well as ethical, moral and civic values needed for laying a solid foundation for life-long learning. Universal Basic’ Education (UBE) was formally launched by President Olusegun Obasanjo on 30th September 1999. The UBE programme is intended to be universal, free and compulsory. According to the implementation guidelines for the Universal Basic Education programme published by the Federal Ministry of Education Abuja, in February. 2000, due attention would be given to public enlightenment and social mobilization.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Basically, this research focuses its attention on the role of mass media on Universal Basic Education programme. It is believed that mass media, being a powerful tool of socialization has the ability to set agents for the public and reach wider audience. Mass media is a platform to teach both moral and social lessons. But today it seems that educational role of mass media is fading o as media managements are now using the time and space dedicated for education programmes on air to fill political programmes and advertisement especially now that government is demanding media to generate certain percentage of money to run the media activities. As a result of the above fact, this work examines whether mass media is actually able to perform its role in educational development or not. and due to inability to study all mass media in Nigeria, Ede North Local Government is the case study
