RADIO IN THE ERA OF NEW MEDIA IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

 In order to assess the performance of radio stations in Nigeria during the election period in the country, this study focused on the relevance of radio in an era of new media using the 2023 electoral process as a case study. It also sought the opinions of mass communication students at UNIBEN. at an effort to address the pertinent study objectives, four research questions were created. Information was obtained from respondents at the school using the survey method, which used the questionnaire as an instrument for data collection. Results showed that the majority of the sampled respondents indicated that radio stations had helped to raise election awareness. This information is relevant to the study because it demonstrates how the media do set agendas for their audiences and how those audiences constantly rely on media sources for information. The majority of respondents also concurred that, in terms of election coverage and campaigns, the media was fair and focused on all political parties, rather than being biased. This article draws the conclusion that radio stations were credible and effective in their coverage of the elections as a result of their open status, which is supported by respondents. This study therefore suggested that the media not be influenced by its owners as this would enable them to be accurate, fair, impartial, and truthful in relaying election campaign messages and information thus making the audience to trust them as the media are generally seen as catalyst to societal development.