Abstract

This study examines the role of folk media in rural mobilization and development in Benue State, Nigeria. The survey research method was adopted using questionnaire and semi-structured interview (SSI) to elicit information from the respondents. Findings revealed that folk media are viable communication media which influence their audience a great deal. Further findings  however, showed that in spite of their viability, folk media have not been fully integrated into the development programmes of the state. Following these findings, the study concluded that folk media in Benue State are grossly underutilized. This further explains why they have no significant influence on development programmes in the state. Based on the conclusion drawn above, it was recommended that the Government of Benue State should evolve concrete policies regarding information and communication media. This will encourage more researches into folk media and, also lead to the possibility of integrating folk and mass media for a more effective rural mobilization and development of Benue State.

^JCMRJournal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 2, No. 2, October  2010, 111 – 126 .

About the author

Gabriel Bundekaan Ugande Ph.D, is a lecturer and Head, Department of Mass Communication, Benue State University, Makurdi,  Nigeria.

Full Article

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Pages: 16

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Article Citation

Ugande, G. B. (2010): An assessment of the role of folk media in rural mobilization and development in Benue State, Nigeria. Journal of Communication and Media Research 2(2): 111 – 126.