MEDIA AND DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION, CATALYSTS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN Port Harcourt CITY LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Abstract

The crux of the study is to investigate media and development
communication as catalysts for development in Port Harcourt City
Local Government Area. Three objectives were formulated to guide
the study and development theory was used to anchor the research.
Survey research method was used with a projected population of
1148665, and sample size of 200. The study found out that television
has created more awareness for government development projects in
comparison to radios, newspapers, and the Internet. The study
established that respondents were well aware of government projects
and programmes due to the media and the study also found out that
majority of respondents attach as much importance to development
projects as attached to such projects by the media – through coverage
and reporting, However, radio stations in Port Harcourt need to do
better in keeping the public up to date on government development
projects. The media must equip the public with not just average
information, but adequate information on basic rights and
entitlements, public services, public budgets, health, housing projects
and road rehabilitation projects; education and working
opportunities, agricultural prices and other market information.