EFFECTS OF TELEVISED VIOLENCE

HISTORY OF TELEVISION IN NIGERIA

Television industry started in the western region of Nigeria and indeed Africa, as far back as 1959, the western television(W.N.Television) was established then by the late veteran chief Obafemi Awolowo during his  days as a primer of western Nigerian 1957-1959. The primary reason for its establishment was purely political grounds, which was to ensure wider grass-root support in the west. Recently (2007) there are one hundred and sixteen (116) television station, and forty (40) cable satellite stations (paid television) in Nigeria, Guardian Newspaper September, 2007.

However, from 1959 till now television stations have gradually and steadily multiplied. Presently there are over one hundred and sixteen television station in Nigeria with some states like Lagos having more than four, Edo State has three television station notably the National Television Authority (N.T.A), Independent Television (I.T.V) and Edo Broad casting service Television(E.B.S.TV), Two government owned station, while ITV is privately owned. Presently over forty cable stations like all television stations they have aired programmes which have influenced the life style, values and attitudes of those exposed to it.

EFFECTS OF TELEVISED VIOLENCE

Of the various programmes shown on television with a potent ability of influencing individuals are those portraying violence. These types of programmes usually saturated with aggressive behavior and other vices which are easily assimilated by viewers, produces a change in belief and disposition towards violence.

However many concerned individual have criticized TV stations for the broadcast of violence portraying programmes. Although this is done with a view to entertaining its large audience, not much regard is paid to its consequences to individual and the society at large. The concern therefore is that programmes with violence content teach children violence behavior in an unconscious way. However, several factors combine to determine children’s learning capability

EFFECT OF TELEVISION TIOLENCE....... introduction

Introduction

All over the world, the contribution of mass media especially television can be over-emphasized. The effect of television on modern society has been tremendous, impact on the political, economic in the area of economics, business men have constantly advertised and promote their products through television. While some religious, philanthropic, and other social group have used it to reach the population.

There is no doubt the fact that television has influenced virtually all aspect of our daily life  directly or indirectly, this is because of its very ability to reach a larger audience simultaneously in time and space.  However, since society has come to recognize the importance influence it has appropriately channeled it towards their education, entertainment and enlightment. The contribution of television on society are two  fold. Firstly, while socially desirable for creating awareness in people it also serve as a potent means for propaganda. Secondly, the fact that it is the most influencing and effective medium of communication has been abused, television have been used to convey anti-social behavior like violence, crime, pornography e.t.c. however, irrespective  of these short comings it is worthy to note that the importance of television  to society  extend beyond its contribution to individual lives, this is because as modern society continues to grow, it not only uses television to help achieve some of its objective, but by necessity require and foster its continued existences. For as Daniel Lerver (1951) notes the mass media is one of the index for modernity/development.