Project Abstract

Abstract
Television has played a significant role in shaping political persuasion by influencing public opinion and electoral outcomes. This research project aims to explore the various mechanisms through which television exerts its persuasive power in the political domain. By analyzing the content, presentation, and impact of political messages on television, this study seeks to understand how television influences individuals' attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors related to politics. The research will investigate the role of television in political persuasion by examining the strategies employed by political actors and media organizations to sway public opinion. Through content analysis and audience reception studies, this project will shed light on the ways in which television constructs political narratives and shapes the perceptions of viewers. By studying the techniques used to frame political issues, present candidates, and mobilize support, this research will provide insights into the persuasive power of television in the political realm. Furthermore, this study will explore the role of television in influencing electoral outcomes by examining the impact of political advertising, news coverage, and televised debates on voters' decision-making processes. By conducting surveys and experiments, this research will assess the effectiveness of different types of television messages in swaying voter preferences and shaping electoral results. By analyzing the relationship between television exposure and political knowledge, attitudes, and behavior, this project will contribute to our understanding of how television shapes the democratic process. In addition, this research project will investigate the role of television in shaping public opinion on key political issues such as healthcare, immigration, and national security. By examining the framing of these issues on television news programs and political talk shows, this study will explore how television influences public perceptions and policy preferences. By analyzing the role of political elites, interest groups, and media organizations in shaping the agenda and framing the debate on these issues, this research will provide insights into the role of television in shaping public discourse and policy outcomes. Overall, this research project will contribute to our understanding of the role of television in political persuasion by examining the mechanisms through which television influences public opinion and electoral outcomes. By analyzing the content, presentation, and impact of political messages on television, this study will provide valuable insights into the persuasive power of television in the political domain.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION

Mass communication is defined as message directed towards a large group people using a mass medium. It involves disseminating information to a large and widely dispersed audience mass communication is made possible through the help of mass media. That is to say mass media makes mass communication a reality mass media include television, radio newspaper magazines etc.

Researchers in mass communication were interested in knowing how specific massage; channels and sources could produce changes in attitude of behaviours. This was the natural outgrowth of the way mass communication research have developed from the 1920s fueled by public fear of the media, along with anxious politicians, eager advertiser, crusading social engineers and others watching to see the massive reach of the media; “to get their message across” quickly and efficiently. Government, military and corporate funding sources played an important role in the decision of those working within the field to take the direction. The goal was to determine what kind of persuasive message could be used most effectively in mobilizations of various kind political, advertising, public health, economic, educational, military and so on.

Recent changes to the technologies of both the print and electronic media, and in particular the medium of television have already begun to fragment media audience and transform the relationship between media and the nation (masses)

Therefore the utilization of the media in mobilization and persuasion is very crucial because the broadcast media, particularly the television has become the major sources of information dissemination over the years, and also the major means and most effective tools for political persuasion in Nigeria.

The ability of television to mobilize and persuade the people to behave in a given manner and to perform certain actions has merit an effective tool for political persuasion because it can send sound and picture simultaneously to a large and widely disposal audience, and it is captivating and dramatic in nature. Television appeals to the sense of sight and sound; it is comprehensive technique and the combination of audio and visual colours and motion. It has the ability to capture the interest of most viewers. That is why government and other private bodies give much attention to it. The media (television) serves as an intermediary between the government and the people because it assists the government in getting its plans and policies across to the people and the people in return gets their response, feeling and plight back to the government.

After many years of military rule in Nigeria, democracy became a much needed endeavour and television serves as a major tools through which the people were fully information education, enlightened, mobilized and persuaded to activity participate in the decision making in the country during transition period.

Television and NTA Kaduna to a large extend help in making the people in Nigeria to get all the political awareness, and it mobilize the people to both contest election and be voted for, or to vote for a candidate of their choice as an electorate. The importance of television in order to ensure a successful transition in Nigeria cannot be under estimated. Television really plays a key role in political persuasion in Nigeria.