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