By Nnaemeka Henry Irogiiljma
This study is an attempt at finding out the impact of private broadcasting stations in the development of target areas with the twin stations in the stable of Daar Communications Limited, the Africa Independent Television and Raypower 100.5 FM Port Harcourt providing the case study.
As a study in the aspect of media effect, the Survey Design was used to ascertain the peoples’ perception and rating of the various aspects of the stations’ programme as they concern their development needs.
The population of the study consisted of the residents of the two Local Government Areas that make up Port Harcourt (Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor) which from a sort of cluster. Out of these, a sample size of 300 was randomly selected and the instrument for data collection was administered on them.
From the data collected and analyzed various findings were made. These findings can be summarized by saying that although the stations are doing well s far as the development needs of their target areas are concerned, there is a great need for adequate partnership between these stations and their target areas on the one side as well as these two and both the Government and corporate concerns on the other. This will go a long way in fostering genuine and sustainable development.
It is only when this is done that the media can be said to be actually and adequately fulfilling their responsibilities of educating, informing and entertaining their audience in these areas.