The Role Of Electronic Media In The Electioneering Process Of 2019 Governorship Election In Bayelsa State: A Case Study Of Africa Independent Television, Yenagoa
ABSTRACT
This research focuses on the role of electronic media in the electioneering process of 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa State: A case study of Africa Independent Television, Yenagoa. The study raised four objectives; Identify the roles of television (AIT) on electioneering campaign in the 2019 Governorship election in Bayelsa State, find out the roles of television (AIT) in ensuring voters education in the 2019 Governorship election in Bayelsa State, weigh their capacity/efforts following tribunal and court cases after the election and identify security challenges media personnel faced in the course of election monitoring and reportage. The survey research design was adopted to investigate the objectives, simple percentage method was used to analyze the data. A sample of two hundred and thirty two returned questionnaires constitute the sample size of the research. Findings showed that electronic media played vital roles in electioneering especially during the 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa State. Some of the roles include; informing the public on the date set outside for campaign by INEC, Broadcasting live pictures of political campaigns, analysing campaign promises to members of the public among others. The research then recommended that media personnel should take adequate opportunity from the freedom of information bill, to report untold stories concerning electioneering in the country as this will strengthen their roles in the electioneering process.