INTRODUCTION
In a complex society like airs, the role, which the media (broadcast media) can play in effective rural development, should not be over emphasized. Like other agents of development such as learning, the media especially the radio and television is very important in the proper development of our rural communication. The media on the fourth estate of the realm has other vital roles to play in the current campaign for effective rural development apart from its traditional roles as the watch-dog of the society.
A lot has been written about rural development. this is because of its importance in the development of the individual, his life style and with a view to making him satisfied, as well as making available those non existing facilities in a rural area, for the good of the inhabitants. “Rural development, thus according to Akonobi is:
Economic and social conditions not surprisingly, in the past ex-president babangida’s rural development programme as from the majority of Nigerians and is still hailed to some rural areas. The programme not misery, it makes a progressive shift in publics and its policies are similar to that of general Abacha’s family support programme (FSP) and petroleum trust fund (PTF). In our contemporary existence as a democratically independent nation, the lots of life goodie and all those aspect that ensure man as a living and existing being has been one of nations deprivation illiteracy , disease and vast poverty and total degradation.
As if the above unseeingly situation is not enough for these rural peasant access roads are completely lacking clean drinking water is luxury while social amenities are practically not available. Researches have shown that over 70% (percent) of the entire population live in he rural area, yet, the bulk of nations wealth especially in agriculture are from the uninhabitable rural areas. Hence completely disenchanted and alienated. These peasant, rural inhabitants have come to see the urban dwellers with envy and resentment, seeing the government as being meant or the urban dweller. Past regime potently ignorant of the realities and as course the practicalities. General Babangida in his blue print of rural development said: “rural development holds the key to sustained agricultural transformation and national food security.”
After these two, the IBB administration in her effort to acomplish the prime objective came up with the directorate for food, road and rural infrastructure (DFRRI). This directorate in charged with the responsibility of carrying the campaign for development in the rural areas.
Extensively as a part of the idea to make rural dwellers have a sense of belonging and participate in the process of national economic reconstruction and self –reliance. Ike Nwosu in one of his books says the:
These facilities ranges from good water electricity, recreational facilities, judicial and other institution etc. it is this al embracing.
The them minister of information Col. Anthonmy Ukpo spoke of government plan to construct information centres, both in the rural area. He explained in an NTA calabar,(not seat) programme. These information board will serve as center for disseminating information and explaining government policies to the rural populace.
Equal too, different local and state government mapped our defacement programmes aimed at ensuring fast and effective rural development. The joint action as development (JAO) is social amentition, good roads etc. Achi in Oji local government area like every other local government in Enugu state inline with ‘JAD” programme has added special programme on adult education as their own contribution towards effective rural development in the state.
From the foregoing, there fore bearing in mind the continuous existence of development proprammes in various states. We shall take a step to examine the role which broadcasting media can play in solving the problems facing these rural dwellers. For the purpose of this work emphasis in more on broadcast media having considered its wider out reach. Radio and television plays a prominent /vital role in the information dissemination in our society in the current campaign for effective rural development despite its traditional roles as an observer of the society. The media is seen as a minor to what happening and its gives the media cum radio and choice in other words the media cum radio and television is more accessible s a powerful instrument in rural development.
According to Emerg et all, they exist to inform and influence the communities in which they are performing and the man who produces them share a common urge to news and adversity into the media.
Moreover, with the presents introduction of different programmes and campaign on development, like social, political and economical programmes. ie universal basic education (UBE) to support the existing programmes like (FEAP) family economic advancement programme, radio and television can not work alone side with these mapped out dweller). The broadcast media can help by communicating to the masses in the rural areas the government programme aimed at developing them: move to its credit the media can act as the middle man (ombudsman) between the rural dweller and the government.
Hence both the radio and television performs the Ombudsman’s function of the rural and urban respectively
Furthermore, the broadcast media can encourage the spirit of community development in the people. They can be persuaded to involve themselves in developing their communities through self help project yet they do not exist without problems in carrying out this task of rural development for instance the government controls and censorship in broadcast media and intervention on ownership makes it impossible for them to perform out t\rightly instead they serve as government mouthpieces. Literacy is another type of problem which the media do encounter: A large population of the ruralities are illiterates and this hinders any progress they can mark. In view of these situation therefore, this research is set to find out the roles which these media (especially radio and television can play in rural development) hence the focus is on Achi in Oji Local government area of Enugu state.
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