The Role of the Mass Media in Political Mobilization of Women in Bayelsa State
ABSTRACT
The aim of this research study was to find out how the mass media has facilitated the actualization of the objectives of the Women for Change Initiative, using Bayelsa State as a case study. It is common knowledge that communication is essential to actualization of developmental objectives and goals. Research questions were formulated and questions were analyzed using simple percentages and presented in tabular form. A sample size of four hundred and twenty (420) respondents was chosen to be representative of the scope of the study which was limited to the communities that make up Yenagoa metropolis. From the analysis of data collected, it was observed that a lot still needs to be done by the government and the mass media in facilitating the achievement of the objective of mobilizing women for effective participation in politics in Bayelsa State. That is to say, the government should sit up and try to properly harness the potentials of the media in the achievement of Women for Change Initiative objectives. It was recommended that the mass media be properly utilized by the government to effectively mobilize women for effective participation in politics. Also it was suggested that the WCI should see the mass media as partners in the process of mobilizing women so that they should walk hand in hand to achieve the objectives of the government in setting up the programme in line with the aspirations of the people.