ASSESSMENT OF THE USE OF BROADCAST MEDIA IN CURBING THE PROLIFERATION OF CULTISM AT TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN BENUE STATE

Abstract

The study titled “Assessment of the Use of Broadcast Media in Curbing Proliferation of Cultism at Tertiary Institutions in Benue State” assessed how broadcast media (radio and television) have been used to control or eradicate cultism and other related violence at tertiary institutions in Benue State. The research discusses the causes, effects, broadcast programs as well and strategies employed by broadcast media in order to control cultism at tertiary institutions in Benue State. The study is situated on the Uses and Gratifications Theory by Jay Blumler and Elihu Katz in 1974. This theory adopts a functionalistic approach to communications and media and states that the media's most important role is to fulfill the needs and motivations of the audience. The survey method was used with the instrument of questionnaire for data collection. The sample size derived from Taro Yamane’s formula that was used for this study is 384. The study finds that broadcast media is the most effective media to curb cultism at tertiary institutions in Benue State. The research concludes that power/protection, poverty, and flair for violence are the causes of the proliferation of cultism, while death, school closure, legal implications, and disruption of academic activities are the negative effects of cultism. The broadcast media used programs such as education, information, socialization, and mobilization to control the proliferation of cultism on campuses. The study, therefore, recommends among other things that the broadcast media should be innovative in their programs to meet the yearnings of the audience.