Public Perception of Radio Programmes on Parental Sexual Abuse on Children: A Study of Residents of Owerri Metropolis

Abstract

Recently, media reports of parental sexual abuse have been alarming. Hence, this study examined the public perception of radio programmes on parental sexual abuse of children in Imo State metropolis. The study was anchored on agenda-setting theory. The study adopted the survey research design. From the population of 983,000 residents in Owerri metropolis, 400 were derived using the Taro Yamani formula. The multistage sampling technique was used. A questionnaire was used as the instrument of data collection. The percentage and mean analysis methods were used for the analysis. The findings revealed that an average of 41.4% of the respondents have the perception that radio programmes on parental sexual abuse are not properly packaged, that programmes on parental sexual abuse are not aired at the right time so as to get many listeners, and that radio programmes on parental sexual abuse do not influence parents positively. Further findings revealed that, at a mean of 2.4, it was confirmed that radio programmes on parental sexual abuse were not effective in influencing the behaviour of Owerri metropolis residents on issues of parental sexual abuse. The results suggest that producers of programmes that focus on child abuse should enrich their content and schedule the programme at the appropriate time to attract a good number of listeners in order to influence them positively. Efforts should be made by radio stations and programme producers to make their programmes effective in curtailing the issue of child abuse in Imo State and, by extension, Nigeria.