Role Of Radio In Democratic Society

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
This research work is carried out in a way that will investigate and find out in a clearly defined term the “Role of Radio is a Democratic Society” in order to bring to the consciousness of the media (Radio) what is expected from it by the society.
Over the year, the nation or society has been envisaged by the “Dictatorialism” and “Authoritarianism” of the military government over all the media of communication.
The traditional role of the media (Radio) is the transmission of programme intended for general public reception.
As a result of the long silence in practicing its defined role under the military dictatorship, it appear that radio broadcasting not conscious of the fact that we are no longer under the shadow military restriction and dictatorship nascent democracy. And for this, democracy to survive it has to contribute its own quota through the roles expected from it. The members of the public also expect it from radio. Some basic functions or roles which it suppose to play in uplifting the plight in the society because the president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obansojo said that “Radio has a greater influence and impact on the society in terms of wider coverage and accessibility”.
Though we have other media of communication such as the television, Newspaper, etc but amidst these, the roles and the impact of radio are most imperative and inexhaustible in our society to be précised.
There have been previous researchers concerning the role or impact of radio in out of investigate, find, and recommend on what should be the traditional role of radio in a democratic society and how can this role be effectively carried out without any form of reluctantly and complain.
The researchers concentrate on the inhabitants of Enugu North Local Government for an effective research work and positive result.

1.2 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
Radio broadcast ting is a good medium of information distribution. There are lots of things occurring around us in our local areas, in our country and the world at large. People became aware of the important events when they tune heir radio to hear the news broadly cast. Radio makes life more pleasant event while we are working or resting. The government of Nigeria, Enugu State and Enugu North Local Government Area to be precise use radio to keep both the literate and illiterate populace well informed of its policies and other important events effecting the people’s welfare. The industrialists and businessmen make use of these communication patterns to advertise their trades and promote their business, marital and naming ceremonies, missing person etc.
Radio medium is a medium of education and it helps in the integration of divergent views, ethnic cultural and religious differences in writing and integrating the Nigeria society.
These are few of the primary roles which radio broadcasting is supposed to perform in the society, but over the years, it has been faced with problems that have hinder it from performing up to the required expectations of the society.
In the course of the research, the researchers were able to find out what some of these problems are:
Firstly, poor, dilapidated equipment, which have brought about low, inefficiency and ineffective transmission and dissemination of information in the society.
Secondly, lack of involvement of professional ism in radio transmission and dissemination of information in the understanding of the local areas.
Utility, is poor scheduling of programmes in duty broadcasting and
Fourthly, ethnicism in the broadcasting of information in our local society to the detriment of societal unification and integration.
The researchers also found out during the process of the research that 1 out of 3 of every home of the area has radios, that is, radio has a great impact on the people, since a housewife has radio at her side to provide her with relevant information and vital government announcement.
The questions that might then be asked or decree are (unsolved problems for the researcher)
1) How far has radio been able to educate and promote the interest of the people in a democratic society?
2) How has radio been able to promote cultural, religious and ethnic integration in the society?
3) How many have benefited from radio programmes.
4) What has been the attitude of the people towards radio programmes.
5) What would have happened if there were no radio in the society.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The main purpose for embarking on this research work is to clearly articulate and explicate the role and imperativeness of radio in influencing (positively) the life of the masses that make-up the society.
The fourth major role of radio in any society is to educate, entertain, inform and to socialize the people. The irresistible appeal of this medium has gone a long way in drawing the attention of the message even the very worse illiterate in the society can understand the messages or information of this medium.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The significance of the study lies on the fact that the role of the society will be done.
Secondly, the study will find out the problems and prospects of the relevance or role of radio in this nascent democracy.
The study will also help the members of the society, the management of these stations, government policy planners and implementations, broadcasters, students of mass communication and other researcher as well.
It will also show the effect of radio on societal development and upliftment and the stock of knowledge in the country.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following research questions are asked for the purpose of this study.
1) Is the electronic radio medium an effective means of promoting government policies and interest towards the members of the society, Enugu North Local Government Area?
2) Does lack of immediate feed back affect the programmes of radio?
3) How does cultural, ethics and religions differences influence the programme content on radio?
4) Have radio station been able to justify the objectives of its establishment?

1.6 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES:
The following research hypothesis was adduced.
H1 The radio medium is an effective means of promoting government policies and interest toward the members of the society (Enugu North).
H1 The radio medium is not an effective means of promoting government polities and interest toward the members of the society (Enugu-North).
H2 Lack of immediate feedback affect the programmes of radio.
H0: Lack of immediate feedback does not affect the progammes of radio.
H3: Cultural, ethnic and religious differences influence the programme contents of radio.
H0: Cultural, ethnic and religious differences do not influence the programme contents of radio.
H4: Radio stations have been able to justify the objectives of its establishment.
H0: Radio stations have not been able to justify the objectives of its establishment.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
For celerity of purpose and proper compression, the main concepts used in this study were, the main concepts used in this were operationally and conceptually deified.
ASSUMPTIONS:
In this study the researcher made the following assumptions.
1) That every member of the population of Enugu North Local Government Area had the opportunity of being included in the research sample.
2) That the questionnaire used in this study is simple enough for easy understanding by the respondent.
3) That the questionnaire in this study is simple enough for easy understanding by the respondent.
4) That some of the hypothesis will be uphold while others will be regarded.
5) That this study will reveal so many things that are hidden before the study.

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The original intension of the researcher was to high light the role of radio in a democratic society, but the researcher encountered lot of limitation.
Factors in the course of the research.
a) Time Factor: It prohibited the researchers from a very in-depth research and others are shocking academic activities or assignments and domestic engagement to be attended to.
b) Non-availability of Research Materials: Limited materials, un willing respondent, limited financial backing and most importantly, the means of traveling to productive areas for this research work was inevitably scarce, also access to information needed for the research was not really available.
CONCEPTUAL DEFINITION
Radio: This is an object or an instrument used in decimating information for the mass at large; it is an audio device.
Society: These are group of people leaving together and who share the same culture and occupy a specify boundary.
Democracy: It is a system of government where by the ultimate
Power of the government is vested on the people.
OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
The operational definition deals with the definition of these terms as regards to the subject matter.
Radio: As a device used in disseminating information, one will like to know its role is a democratic society, how it aids a society.
Society: The society here refers to the indigence of Enugu North, which is the case study of the project.
Democracy: It is a system of government whereby the ultimate power of the government is vested on the people.

REFERENCES
President Explain: Media Chart (TRCN).
Dictionary- The oxford Dictionary (1996).
Dictionary- Longman FamilyDictionary (1989).