RADIO 2023 POST ELECTION TRIBUNAL INFORMATION AWARENESS AMONG RESIDENTS OF IKWERRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, RIVERS STATE

Abstract

The study examined radio 2023 presidential post-election tribunal information awareness among residents of Ikwerre local government area of Rivers state. The objectives were to examine if radio created post-election tribunal awareness on the 2023 presidential election among residents of Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State, to determine the influence of radio on the 2023 presidential post-election tribunal awareness among residents of Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State and identify the radio stations that broadcast the 2023 presidential post-election tribunal in Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State. The theories used in the study are Agenda Setting and Uses and Gratification theories. The study adopted survey research design and the population of the study consist of 2,344,000 that make up Ikwerre local government. The study sample size was 384 and derived from Meyer’s sample size determination formula.  The multistage sampling technique was adopted for the study. Questionnaire served as the research instrument for data collection. However, 384 copies of questionnaire were administered and 380 were retrieved and used to analyze data. The findings revealed that  radio created avenue for citizens to receive information about pre/post-election matters, it created awareness on post-election matters, it educated the electorates on the outcome of the election through its agenda setting, it transmited post-elections information to the publics through its messages, it cleared publics’ doubt on post-election issues and  the radio stations that broadcast 2023 presidential  post-election tribunal in Ikwerre local government are Rhythm FM, Ray Power FM, Wazobia FM, Radio Rivers FM and Nigeria Info FM. The study concluded that radio remains an indispensable and powerful communication medium forereaching grassroots population. The study recommends that government should increase allocation of funds to the ministry of information so as to enable radio stations carry out more effective programmes on post-election tribunal, the media should pick up the task to enhance radio programmes on post-election tribunal for effective dissemination; and non- governmental organizations (NGOs) should also help radio stations to promote post-election tribunal matters.