CHAPTER ONE 1.0     Introduction 1.1     Background to the Study

Radio is an electronic device that uses electromagnetic wave for the transmission of messages, information, communication and it possesses some attributes which place it upon the television broadcasting. Oyekanmi M.O. (2006)

Radio can give rural people a voice and offer a forum for dialogue between communities and government. Community Radio takes up this responsibility and ensures vulnerable groups in society are included and represented in their programming. educate, sensitize and inform these local audiences about issues that effect their lives: health, education, water, human rights, etc.  This way, radio is a genuine tool for local development. Olutope Abiola (2011) Radio station can be defined as a place where programmes are being transmitted to a large and heterogeneous audience. The programmes being transmitted are always in the interest of the community. Community radio is also a type of radio service that offers a third model of radio broadcasting beyond commercial broadcasting and public broadcasting. radio stations can serve geographic communities and communities of interest. They broadcast contents that are popular and relevant to a local/specific audience which may often be overlooked by commercial or mass-media broadcasters. Radio station is also defined as a means of disseminating information to the community. The community in question can either be urban or rural. Radio stations also entertain, educate and promote culture through their programmes.

In addition, a community radio station should be an information center for the people in that particular area where people can receive adequate and reasonable information about an event or occurrence.

1.2     Statement of the Problem

It has been observed that rural dwellers always feel marginalized to radio message, that is, message that concern the rural people are not broadcast, however, the statement of this research problem is to know those effects that occurs to the rural dwellers as a result of radio message they hear and also showcase if any action from the rural dwellers can curb the future occurrence.

The study also observed that most of the rural communities that play host to media houses do not really feel the impact of media in their social cultural and political development unlike other institutions and company. To this end the research will examine the impact of radio broadcasting on rural development.

1.3     Research Questions

1. Is community radio broadcasting the best medium suitable to reach the rural people?

2        community radio broadcasting beneficial to rural community?

3        How do community radio help mobilizing and molding the opinion of rural dwellers?

4        To what extent has radio improve the social development of rural community?

5        Does community radio has impact on community development?

1.4     Objectives of the Study

1. To examine whether radio broadcasting is the best medium suitable to   reach the rural people.
2. To know whether radio broadcasting beneficial to rural community.

iii.      To examine how radio mobilize and molding the opinion of   rural dwellers.

1. To find out whether has radio improved the social development of    rural           community.
2. To know if community radio have impact on community development.

1.5     Scope of the Study

The research work is diversified in nature and it has wide coverage but due to time, manpower and financial constraints, it will be limited only to AKBC FM 95.1 Uyo.

1.6     Significance of the Study

It is expected that at the end of this study, it will update knowledge within the framework of the study. Particularly, it will assist people’s views on the usefulness of radio in general development, mobilization and awareness of rural dwellers

Media practitioners will also gain from the research findings as it will expose them to what responsibilities media are to play in society.

It will also serve as reference materials for future researchers who may want to expand or explore on study relating to this work.

This study will draw the attention of government to empower electorates especially women to participate in politics

Through the use of radio, television, films and motion pictures and print media journalists will in their packaging of news reports and events development a sound political knowledge for the electorate.

1.7     Limitations to the Study

It is not an overstatement that a work of this nature cannot be carried out without some hard experience, however below are some of the constraints to this work.

There are many limitations ranging form not knowing where to start, not knowing who to consult or approach for materials not knowing what next to write in various segment of this study and not actually knowing who to put me through in achieving my work and others are:

Academic Stress: Stress from other academic activities is one of the limitations to the research work.

Financial:  Financial constraint to travel to different places and

Duration: Duration for the research work is relatively short

Material: Materials that are available on this topic is relatively small as the concept is new or people are not written from that angle.

1.8     Definition of the Terms

Impact: The contribution being played by one part or something to bring change(s) in the other part or another thing.

Radio: A medium of mass communication that that broadcast massage using electromagnetic waves to a widely dispersed, heterogeneous audience, for the purpose of educating, entertaining and enlightening.

Message: It is the transmitted stimulus from one person called source to another called receiver for the purpose of creating understanding.

Community: People who reside in local areas which could be a town or village such as Ijesa communities.

Rural development: It entails the progress and positive changes on community that make it improve.