RADIO BROADCAST ENGAGEMENT AND PUBLIC RESPONSE TO EMERGENCY RULE: ANALYSING THE PROTEST DISCOURSE IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was an examination of radio broadcast engagement and public response to emergency rule: analysing the protest discourse in Rivers State, Nigeria. Uses and gratifications and framing theories were anchored in this study. This study adopted a qualitative research method utilizing face-to-face interviews. The target population comprised residents of Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor and Oyigbo Local Government Areas, three urban centres notably affected by protest activities during the emergency rule estimated at a combined population of approximately 3.1 million people according to the National Population Commission (NPC, 2006, projected to 2023). A purposive sample size of 30 participants was selected, including radio listeners, civil society members, youth leaders, and political commentators who were active consumers of radio content and were knowledgeable about the political climate. The purposive sampling technique was employed to ensure that participants with rich, relevant insights were selected based on their exposure to radio broadcasts and their involvement in or observation of protest-related events. Data was collected through semi-structured, in-depth, face-to-face interviews. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data, identifying recurring patterns, dominant narratives, and underlying sentiments related to radio engagement and protest discourse. The study found that radio broadcasts significantly sensitized the public during the emergency rule in Rivers State by simplifying complex government pronouncements, offering timely and accessible updates, and incorporating diverse expert voices that clarified the implications of the political situation, thereby empowering citizens with knowledge of their rights and fostering a sense of calm and resilience. The study concluded that radio broadcasts sensitized the public during the emergency rule is that radio plays an essential role in crisis communication by providing the public with timely, accessible, and reliable information, helping to mitigate uncertainty and empower citizens with knowledge during periods of political instability. The study recommended that radio stations should be used more strategically for crisis communication to ensure the public receives accurate and timely information during political instability.