CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Broadcast media have great impact on modern society. Mass communication media is divided into broadcast and print media. The broadcast media consist of the radio and television while print media consist of books, newspapers, journals, magazines etc. for the purpose of this study, our focus shall be on broadcast media and television in particular.

Television is unique in nature due to its audio visual features. It makes dissemination of information more effective and efficient.

Television as a medium of communication, it audience more than channel of communication, it is more persuasive especially on children because of it visual-audio features as it appeals to both eye (sight) and the ear (sound) like every other of mass media, it is used to inform, educate and entertain the audience by its nature children, are easily attracted to televisions than every other channel of mass communication.

Therefore the impact of television cannot be overemphasized watching of television makes children to be scientifically and technologically inclined, and also boost them mentally and physical which in turn influence their behaviour. The contents of our television programmers would definitely affect the lives of children positively or negatively. There is no doubt that recently the contents of Nigerian television programmers are increasingly becoming more violence which tends to influence the behaviour of children. When it has to do with information, education and entertainment as it primary functions. Both children and adult that are heavy viewers tend to see the world as depict on our television programmers. Watching of violence television programme therefore would influence the behaviour of the viewers especially the infant minds like the children.

The children are more vulnerable to visual displays on screen and more likely to exhibit such actions on violence television programme without the guidance of parents or guardians. They interpret the message their own way and practically demonstrate such action and behaviour at home, schools, etc. These violent programmes, video, DVD etc are in diverse forms, such as cartoons, war filing horror films, killing romance, sex, fashion etc.

These innocent children in their formative stage could take these messages without interpretation as the children do not know that sometimes they are mere acting movies. These eventually will alter their behavioural pattern, perceptive Attitude, understanding, interpretation and finally form parts of their characters.

Researchers, such as Huston et al (1992, pp 54-55). Daniel Anderson and Elizabeth Horch (1983, pp-27-28) as cited by Stanley J. Baran to expose children to violent programmes on our television do more damage to their lives than good as they lack the ability to decipher, decide, select the real from film tricks (Acting). This violence makes them-exhibit aggressive behavior, criminal disposition immoral acts etc on themselves and the society at large. It is only pertinent at this point, that deliberate attempt should be made by all stakeholders of broadcast industry and television in particular to consider the impact of these problems on the children. By so doing, it will reduce the amount of violence television programmes as well as to show these violence television programmes. Equally parents and guardian should guide and give the right orientation to these infant minds.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The influence of violence on children as shown on television cannot be over emphasized. It has become a source of concern and worry to the society, parents, teachers and the children as well. These local and foreign films, programmes are in no small measure impacting negatively on the behavior of the children. Due to the grave damage done there, the need for the authorities concerned to reduce if not eradicate the production, dissemination of such violence on our television to save the future of our children. This study is to examine, no what extent do violence programme impact on the behavior of the children? It sought to establish/show the influence of violence as shown on television could the children to behave violently.

1.3     PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

This study is aimed at contributing to other scholarly research, in the area of television violence on children, its objectives include:

       Ascertaining the influence of television on the children under study.

       Examining how many children that are frequently exposed to television violence could exhibit such violence at home.

       Investigating the level of awareness the parent, guardians have on the violence television programmes on the children/ward.

1.4     RESEARCH QUESTION

1. To what extent has violence television programmes influence the children?
2. How to our children who are frequently exposed to television violence exhibit such behavior?
3. Are the parents/guardians aware of the negative influence violence on their children and ward?

1.5     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The work highlights the impacts of violence television programmes on the children. The study is carried out as an attempt to evaluate the relationship between television content and children behavior. The work will serve as a scholarly material to guide both the media practitioners in regulating, the television programme putting the children, audience in consideration, and students with additional material in this topic.

1.6     SCOPE OF THE STUDY (OR DELIMITATION)

This study focuses on television broadcasting only, as its programmes affect children, behavior of the children within the age bracket of 8-16 years. The work also centers on children in Port Harcourt city as representative of other children in its environment.

Owning to some constraints, such as time, the study is to be carried out and resources such as money to access some secondary data, and others materials to enrich this study. This study therefore concentrates on television violence as it impact on some children within the Port Harcourt city and it environment.

1.7     DEFINITION OF TERMS

       Influence: The impact that violence television programmes have on children behaviours.

       Television: A broadcast media which transmit both visual and audio messages, moving pictures on the glass screen electronically.

       Children: Persons under the age bracket of 8-16 years.

       Violence: Violent behavior that is intended to hurt or kill somebody.