Assessment Of Big Brother Naija And Its Impacts On Youths Lifestyle

This study was carried out to assess of big brother Naija and its impacts on youths lifestyle using federal polytechnic offa, Kwara State as a case study. The study specifically was aimed to assess the viewership level of Big Brother Naija show by Federal Polytechnic Offa students, examine the impact both positive and negative of Big Brother Naija on Federal Polytechnic Offa Polytechnic students" lifestyle, identify the real life encounters experienced by the students through their exposure to the reality TV show, and know whether the reality TV show have stimulated discussions among students. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprised of mass communication students of federal polytechnic offa, Kwara State. In determining the sample size, the researcher conveniently selected 160 respondents and 141 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables and mean scores, while the hypotheses were tested using chi-square statistical tool. The result of the findings reveals that the viewership level of Big Brother Naija show by Federal Polytechnic Offa students is high. The study also revealed that the real life encounters experienced by the students through their exposure to the reality TV show includes: loose of morals, displays of uninhibited sexual frolics, ear-tingling, Use of swear words, indecent dressing systems. Therefore, it is recommended that since reality TV shows (BBNaija), has large viewership among youths, majorly undergraduate students, television regulators should ensure that reality TV programmes aired on Nigerian television stations are those capable of impacting knowledge, positive skills and life styles of Nigerian youths with great regard to the socio-moral ethics of the society. To mention but a few.

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

A television program, also called television show, is a segment of content intended for broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series. A single program in a series is called an episode. A television series that is intended to comprise a limited number of episodes is usually called a miniseries or serial. Series without a fixed length are usually divided into seasons or series, yearly or semiannual installments of new episodes. While there is no defined length, US industry practice tends to favor longer seasons than those of some other countries. A one-time broadcast may be called a "special", or particularly in the UK a "special episode". A television movie, is a film that is initially broadcast on television rather than released in cinemas or direct-to-video, although many successful TV movies are later released on DVD. A program can be either recorded-as on video tape or other various electronic media forms-or considered live television.

Reality television show has in recent time significantly proved to be a favourite among the youth - particularly those who fall within the range of ages 18-25. Among these programmes is the Big Brother Naija which is the focus of this study. Other common ones here in Nigeria include: MTN Project Fame, Gulder Ultimate Search, Nigerian Idol, Maltina Dance all, Glo Naija Sings, The voice of Nigeria, etc.

Big Brother Naija is a reality television show in which a group of persons are brought together in secluded large house, isolated from the outside world and made to live together while being continuously watched by television cameras. According to Chikafa (2012), the concept was borrowed from George Orwell"s novel of 1984 titled "fictional dystopia of Oceania" in which he described a world of never-ending surveillance. In the novel, the dictator who watched over the citizens of Oceania was called Big Brother; his terrifying slogan was "Big Brother is watching you".
In the Big Brother television show, contestants confined in the house compete to escape eviction in order to win the prize money. The reality TV show debuted on the African continent in 2003 and has remained an annual event till date.

Amanda (2019) is of the view that reality shows are known for showing the most rational side of humanity, although some show crazy concepts that they will be willing to enjoy a 15minutes chance of fame. In Nigerian, the housemates are expected to exhibit the cultural disposition of the country and their ethnic affiliations if possible and uphold some level of morality. This is because reality entails being yourself, however some of these housemates appear to live a life of pretence, deceit and seem to exaggerate issues. These character attribute are what fuels comments, uploads and discussions on the fan page social media handle of these platforms.

The Big Brother Naija reality show operates under the principle of one of the genres of reality shows called the "elimination game show". In this case over twenty (20) to twenty-five (25) housemates are brought together for a period of three (3) months and gradually eliminated based on their activities in the house. The ideology of the organizers of the BBN is to ensure that housemates lives their normal life, while a Big Brother watches unnoticed.
Studies have focused on how television programmes that appear to be "real" alters the viewers" perception of reality (or social reality) (Nwafor, 2018). However, recently a new fad in television has surfaced and it appears to be taking over. Reality television shows are overtaking the networks leaving behind an even bigger effect than that of regular television Programme.

Reality TV as a genre of television programming that has grown over the years and has become an addiction of some sort for many of their viewers especially youth and female segment of the society. According to Hall 2019, reality programmes are now a staple of television programming. Many people watch reality shows for several reasons. Wiltz (2018) discovered that an element of reality programmes appeal is that they "help viewers to feel important because seeing ordinary people on the shows allows them to "fantasize that they could gain celebrity status by being on television.

The appeals that reality TV shows have on their audiences have led to many products and organizations to explore it for their marketing communications spending and products and service placement. As viewership increased, producers have also improved on contents and come up with better packages that attracts more audiences to stay glued to their TV screens, thereby, also attracting more sponsorship from organizations.

Television on the other hand is a powerful medium that can influence a person"s attitude and help to shape their perceptions on a wide variety of topics. Several studies have demonstrated that the information and exposure provided by television can influence a wide range of attitudes and behavior beyond providing entertainment (Murray and Ouellette, 2009).

Reality shows are the trump cards of the producers of the television industry. ""A reality show is the live telecast of the performance or activity of the persons who may be the expert or non-expert of the respective field in an unpredictable environment & in unscripted manner"".

Reality Shows are genre of television shows or programmes which feature common people or celebrities and or both, in real life or scripted situations or environment or a mix of both real and scripted incidents. The genre often highlights personal drama and conflict to a much greater extent than other unscripted television such as documentary shows. It generally, breaks the monotony by creating interesting concepts and innovative ideas that made them stand out from the regular shows. Every day on television, some new reality shows are being introduced, enabling the viewers to choose from a large menu of many shows. Reality shows have become the order of the day, attracting and wooing the audiences in all age-group (Baruh, 2019). Most assumptions about the psychology of reality television viewership are derived from textual analyses of reality-based programs, rather than research involving audiences. Thus, it calls for investigations of reality-based programming based on the assumption that such programmes may implicate a network of social, economic, and political changes in modern society.
Reality shows generally include interviews, talk shows, entertainment, documentaries, Comedy shows, horror Shows, educational shows, Talent hunt shows, celebrity shows and live quiz shows which includes some practical game shows like jig saw puzzle.

1.2 Statement of Problem

The positive and negative impact of TV reality show on youths" attracts the attention of so many intelligent people all over the world and calls for real academic debates and scholarly studies.

Since television is seen as an audio-visual medium through which youths especially students are influenced on their day to day activities as it teaches both moral and sometimes bad behaviors, thereby having a lasting impact on the students. This necessitated the need for this research which aims at assessing Big Brother Naija and its impacts on Youths" Lifestyle with a focus on Federal Polytechnic Offa Students.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The primary aim of this study is to assess big brother naija and its impacts on youths lifestyle using federal polytechnic offa, Kwara State as a case study.

Other objective of this study are:

To assess the viewership level of Big Brother Naija show by Federal Polytechnic Offa students

To examine the impact both positive and negative of Big Brother Naija on Federal Polytechnic Offa Polytechnic students" lifestyle.

To identify the real life encounters experienced by the students through their exposure to the reality TV show.

To know whether the reality TV show have stimulated discussions among students.

1.4 Research Questions

The study will be guided by the following questions;

What is the viewership level of Big Brother Naija show by Federal Polytechnic Offa students?

What impact does Big Brother Naija TV show have on Federal Polytechnic Offa students" lifestyle?

What are the real life encounters experienced by the students through their exposure to the reality TV show?

Has Big Brother Naija reality TV show stimulated discussions among Polytechnic students?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

Ho: Big Brother Naija reality TV has no significant impact on Federal Polytechnic Offa students" lifestyle

Ha: Big Brother Naija reality TV has a significant impact on Federal Polytechnic Offa students" lifestyle

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will be of utmost importance to broadcast media houses as it will help in scheduling of programmes and know the nature of the programmes to be televised.

Furthermore, academic scholars will benefit from the findings of this research, as it will serve as a good literature for both scholars and students of mass communication who might want to carry out similar or related research in the future.

In addition parents and guidance will also benefit from the findings of this study, as it will show parents and guidance how to be responsible for the upbringing and training of children and their exposure to programmes that do not impact them positively.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study will investigate and assess Big Brother Naija and its effects on youths" lifestyle. It will also assess the viewership level of Big Brother Naija show by Federal Polytechnic Offa students, examine the impact both positive and negative of Big Brother Naija on Federal Polytechnic Offa Polytechnic students" lifestyle, identify the real life encounters experienced by the students through their exposure to the reality TV show, and know whether the reality TV show have stimulated discussions among students. This study will limited to Mass Communication students of the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

This research project, like all human endeavors, had some challenges that threatened to derail the study"s completion. One of the reasons is that the time allotted for this work was so limited that the researcher did not have enough time to complete the task thoroughly. During data collection, the researcher also had to put forth extra effort to understand the respondents" interview schedules, several of whom fell into the incomprehensible age group. Also, there were financial and transportation constraints to deal with. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, interview).

1.9 Definition of Operational Terms

Television Programme:

A television program, also called television show, is a segment of content intended for broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series

Assessment:

The action of assessing someone or something

Impact:

To have a strong effect on someone or something

Big Brother Naija:

A TV reality show based on the Big Brother TV series in which 12 contestants live in an isolated house and compete for a large cash prize worth $100000 at the end of the show by avoiding being evicted by viewers.

Youth:

The period between childhood and adulthood or maturity.

Lifestyle:

The way in which a person or an individual lives such as the attitude, moral standards, economic level, the habits etc. that together constitute the Mode of living of an individual or group.

1.10 Organization of the Study

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, and selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter (chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

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