Abstract

Governments across the world make heavy use of television in communicating their actions to the public; and building a positive image and credibility with the aim of obtaining recognition and support. This study was anchored on Schema and Social Responsibility theories to understand how Nigeria television stations’ presentations of Delta state government activities influence the residents’ perception of government’s image by considering the five-point agenda of the government: infrastructural development, fighting corruption, food supply, security and empowerment of the citizens. A total of 375 respondents were purposively selected from the total population of 6,863,671 residents across the three (3) senatorial districts of Delta State. Television presentation of government image in the areas of infrastructural projects and youth’s employment and empowerment were positive; while fighting corruption, agricultural development and security were negative. The study suggested that local television stations are factual and objective in the coverage of Delta state government activities but that does not translate to residents’ positive perception of the state government’s image.  The study suggests that governments can project their positive image and reputation through television but public positive perception of their image can be achieved through their transparency and accountability in managing the affairs of the people.

Key Word: Perception, Television Stations, Government, Image.

About the Authors

*    Nkiru Comfort Ezeh, Ph.D., ORCID: 0000-0001-8537-7939, is a Professor in the Department of Mass Communication, Novena University Ogume, Delta State, Nigeria. Her research areas include, New Media, Political Communication and Film Production.

**  Emmanuel Chukuka Odishika, Ph.D., is a senior lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Novena University Ogume, Delta State, Nigeria. His research interest is in Public Relations, Advertising, and Health Communication.

*** Chris Yinka Kachikwu, Ph.D., lectures in the Department of Mass Communication, Novena University Ogume, Delta State, Nigeria. He is an experienced Public Relations/Advertising professional with a proven track record at the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria prior to his retirement from the public sector. His research interest is in Public Relations, Advertising, and Health Communication.

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 16, No. 2, October 2024, pp. 183-193

© Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).

Article Citation

Ezeh, N. C., Odishika, E. C. & Kachikwu, C. K. (2024). Residents’ perception of local television stations’ presentations of the image of Delta State Government, Nigeria. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 16 (2): 183-193.

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