INFLUENCE OF MASS MEDIA ON WOMEN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
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INFLUENCE OF MASS MEDIA ON WOMEN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
Chapter one
INTRODUCTION
Background for the Study
The impact of mass media on public opinion and political engagement has been extensively studied in academic study and popular conversation (Lasswell, 2019; Townley, 2019).
Scholars have emphasised the media’s potential to shape narratives and public perception, making it an important actor in the democratic process.
In recent years, there has been a shift in emphasis on studying the specific impact of mass media on women’s political engagement (Chika, 2022).
This study attempts to contribute to the evolving discourse by looking into the complex dynamics of how mass media influences women’s political engagement in the unique environment of Ilorin South, Kwara State.
In today’s political scene, effective democratic representation requires tackling women’s underrepresentation in politics (Ogbogu, 2022). Women’s political participation is critical to promoting diverse and inclusive decision-making.
The media, as a powerful force in moulding public discourse, can either facilitate or impede women’s political participation (Oyewole & Olisa, 2017).
Women’s visibility and representation in the media have a considerable impact on public attitudes, which in turn influence their political goals and participation prospects.
Ilorin South, in Kwara State, Nigeria, provides a unique context for this inquiry (Adekoya et al., 2021). The cultural, social, and political aspects of the region add to the complexities of the interaction between mass media and women’s political participation.
Understanding how these factors interact is critical for devising focused initiatives to increase women’s engagement in politics in this particular setting.
Scholarly research, such as that undertaken by Adekoya, Akintayo, and Adegoke (2021) on the function of radio in mobilising women for political participation in Ogun State, sheds light on the possible impact of media on women’s political participation.
By examining the successes and obstacles encountered in a similar Nigerian environment, this study can draw useful comparisons and distinctions, offering light on the intricacies of media influence on women’s political engagement in Ilorin South.
Concerns have been raised about how women are portrayed in the media, with research pointing to the possibility of bias and stereotypes influencing public opinions (Cili, 2015; Akanu, 2023).
Examining media content is critical in this context because it enables for the detection of any prejudices or preconceptions that may be influencing women’s political aspirations in the Ilorin South.
Insights from Akanu’s (2023) research on the portrayal of women in Nigerian mass media can provide a comparative viewpoint, allowing us to determine whether similar trends exist in Ilorin South.
Another important feature of the study is media coverage of female politicians, and insights from Ezugwu’s (2022) analysis of Nigerian newspapers’ coverage of women’s participation in the 2015 general elections serve as a useful reference point.
Understanding the visibility, tone, and framing of stories on female politicians in Ilorin South might assist assess the media’s role in promoting or discouraging women’s political participation.
The relationship between media exposure and women’s political participation is a challenging but important topic to investigate (Narayaya and Ahmad, 2022). Chika’s (2022) work on women’s empowerment for holistic development in Nigeria, as well as Narayaya and Ahmad’s (2022) examination of the function of media in speeding women’s empowerment, provide vital insights into the larger dynamics.
Applying these findings to the unique context of Ilorin South allows for a more nuanced understanding of how media exposure affects women’s political engagement in this region.
Finally, this study aims to explain the complex dynamics of how mass media influences women’s political engagement in Ilorin South, Kwara State. Drawing on current studies, the project seeks to investigate the representation of women in the media, analyse media coverage of female politicians, and determine the relationship between media exposure and women’s political participation.
The distinctive cultural, social, and political dynamics of Ilorin South provide a different framework for this investigation, which contributes to the larger debate over the role of mass media in moulding women’s political participation.
Statement of the Problem
The study of the influence of mass media on women’s political engagement in Ilorin South, Kwara State, appears to be a key field of interest due to existing gaps in the current body of information.
Despite the abundance of study on the general topic of mass media’s impact on political engagement, there is a notable lack of studies that particularly examine the complexities of this relationship in the context of Ilorin South.
One big gap is a lack of information about how mass media presents women in political discourse in Ilorin South. While studies conducted outside of the region, such as Akanu’s (2023) research of the portrayal of women in Nigerian mass media, provide insights, the cultural and political aspects unique to Ilorin South need more investigation.
Identifying any biases or stereotypes propagated by the media in this context is critical for developing focused initiatives to increase women’s political aspirations.
Furthermore, there is a scarcity of extensive research on the media coverage of female politicians in Ilorin South. Ezugwu’s (2022) examination of Nigerian newspapers’ coverage of women’s participation in the 2015 general elections is a useful resource, but Ilorin South’s particular qualities may reveal distinct patterns that warrant further investigation.
Understanding the exposure, tone, and framing of articles on women politicians in this region is critical for determining how the media shapes public attitudes and influences women’s political chances.
Furthermore, the relationship between media exposure and women’s political participation in Ilorin South is mainly unknown. While Chika’s (2022) research on women’s empowerment for holistic development in Nigeria and Narayaya and Ahmad’s (2022) study of the media’s role in accelerating women’s empowerment provide valuable insights, applying these findings to Ilorin South allows for a more context-specific understanding of the relationship between media exposure and political engagement among women.
In essence, the observed deficiencies highlight the necessity for a more focused inquiry into the complex dynamics of how mass media promotes women’s political engagement in Ilorin South.
Filling these gaps will not only add to the scholarly conversation on media and political participation, but will also provide practical insights for policymakers, media practitioners, and advocacy groups working to create gender-inclusive political arenas in the region.
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