the phone-in programme “Soul Mender” on Grace FM

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION                

1.1                                   
BACKGROUND
OF THE STUDY

Communication
is said to be the life blood of every society. There is therefore a need to
know what communication is all about.

Communication
as a discipline has continued to attract new definitions from time to time so
that no single definition is accepted by scholars interested in the field.

Communication
as an academic discipline, sometimes called “communicology” relates to all the
ways we communicate, so it embraces a large body of study and knowledge. Although,
there is such a thing as one-way communication, communication can be better
described as a two way process in which there is an exchange of ideas,
thoughts, feelings towards a mutually accepted goal or direction.

Hence,
the process of a phone-in-programme. Mass media are important communication
strategy to generate awareness and disseminate information. In most  developing countries, Nigeria inclusive,
radio is an effective medium to reach the general population. Unlike TV and
print , radio phone-in-programmes are popular platforms for direct audience
participation to exchange views and voice concerns on issues to increase
knowledge, encourage open discussion on health and other socially relevant
issues and promote sustained behavioural change.

In
broadcasting, a phone-in is a programme format in which listeners are invited
to air their live comments by telephone, usually in respect of a specific topic
selected for discussion on the day of broadcast.

According
to research, BBC radio Nottingham is credited with having aired the first
phone-in on February 4 1968, a programme called “What Are They Up To Now”?

Speech-based
Talk Radio UK was launched in 1995, with much of its programming featuring
phone-in-programmes.

Ian
Hutchby researched poor relations in phone-in-programmes looking at arguments
and confrontations. Using conversation analysis, he describes how the host
retains power through devices such as “the second position” - the concept of
going second in a discussion, giving the host time to formulate a response.

Similarly,
the last word is always the broadcasting word. The audience can choose to end
the conversation, but they are doing so by withdrawing from the interactional
arena. Hutchby (1996) Talbot et al.

Though
it cannot be stated in actual fact the date phone-in-programme began in Nigeria.
According to research, it started before the advent of global system for mobile
telecommunications (GSM) putting it in the 1980s. However, since the
introduction of GSM in 2000 there has been an increase in audience
participation in phone-in-programmes.

1.2                                   
STATEMENT
OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

This
research work is informed by this innovation in broadcasting especially the
introduction of phone-in segment in almost every programme being aired on both
public and private radio stations across the country.

One
of the problems is the implication of having a wrong audience choice which is
better imagined. This would make the presenter have negative feedback. This is
because there are some audience members who participate in discussions that are
not meant for them.

There
is no gainsaying the fact that radio stations are out to perform the basic role
of informing, educating and entertaining the target audience. However, another
problem is the lure of including phone-in segments in most of the programmes
which are capable of rendering them elitist, taking into consideration the
number of people that can afford to buy a mobile phone.

Yet
another problem is the fact that phone-in programmes are equally seen as an
escapist approach of getting people to participate in programmes when they are
not adequately informed about the issues involved.

1.3                                   
OBJECTIVES
OF THE STUDY

It
is noticed that the idea of phone-in is now prevalent among radio stations.
This study is on radio broadcasting. This decision is made from the fact that
the medium appears the cheapest and most accessible to the common man as the
radio set is portable and can easily pick up signals from far distances.

The
advent of phone-in programmes on radio has increased the pace of audience
participation in radio programmes.

This
research work takes a critical look at “Soul Mender” as a phone-in programme
introduced to enable the public make meaningful contributions to issues under
discussion which are considered as having direct effect on them both
individually and collectively.

The
aim of this research work is to find out if the programme justifies its
existence.

This
research work is carried out towards formulating a guiding principle that could
help regulate audience participation on radio with a view to having a standard
format that could enhance more qualitative programming

1.4                                   
SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE STUDY

A
phone-in programme could be an instantaneous way of having feedback on any
given idea, policy or measure about to be introduced either by a corporate
organization, an individual or government of the day. It is obviously the best
form of testing the acceptability of new ideas, opinions and policies.

This
study is therefore significant because it is capable of enabling the sampling
of opinion without necessarily undergoing the tedious voting process. This
would make the listeners part and parcel (active) of decision making or policy
formulation.

The
participatory nature of phone-in programme is expected to give an individual
radio listener a sense of belonging and not make him an inactive receiver of
information and ideas passed across by the radio.

It
is therefore the opinion of this researcher that the appraisal of this phone-in
programme will go a long way to enhancing quality production and presentation,
as well as making it truely audience participatory.

1.5                                   
RESEARCH
QUESTIONS

To
what extent has the phone-in programme “Soul Mender” on Grace FM provided the
expected feedback required of the target audience?

When
does a phone-in programme become important in the programmes planning of Grace FM?

How
truely interactive is “Soul Mender” on Grace FM?

1.6                                   
RESEARCH
HYPOTHESES

HYPOTHESIS 1

Alternative
H₁: the phone-in programme “Soul Mender” on Grace FM to an extent
provides the expected feedback required of the target audience.

Null
H₀: The phone-in programme “Soul Mender” on Grace FM to an extent
does not provide the expected feedback required of the target audience.

HYPOTHESIS 2

Alternative
H₁: A phone-in programme is important in the programme planning on Grace
FM.

Null
H₀: A phone-in programme is not important in the programme planning
on Grace FM.

HYPOTHESIS 3

Alternative
H₁: “Soul Mender” on Grace FM is truely interactive.

Null
H₀: “Soul Mender” on Grace FM is not truely interactive.

1.7                                   
CONCEPTUAL
AND OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

IMPACT: According
to oxford advanced learners’ dictionary, it is to have an immediate and strong
effect on something or somebody.

IMPACT: It
is the influence a phone-in programme has on the listening audience as well as
the impression they are left with about the programme even after it is brought
to conclusion.

PHONE-IN: According
to Encarta dictionaries, it is a radio or television programme in which
audience members can participate by telephone and ask questions, make
contributions or take part in discussions about a particular subject with the
host and any quests.

PHONE-IN: It
is a segment in a radio programming schedule in which topical and important
issues are tabled for discussion. This enables audience participation and
allows the media body or outfit elicit feedback from its audience who are
interested in the topic of discussion.

PROGRAMME: According
to oxford advanced learners dictionary, it is a film, play, activity etc that
is broadcast on television for people to watch or on radio for them to listen
to.

PROGRAMME: It
is a schedule of activities to be carried out and aired in a media house, be it
radio or television.

1.8                                   
ASSUMPTIONS
OF THE STUDY

Phone-in
programme is now prevalent among radio stations as it serves as an
instantaneous way of having feedback on any policy or topical issue from the
audience.

The
researcher therefore assumes that the study will throw up the importance of the
chosen phone-in programme to the audience and media house, as this will shed more
and better light on the act of audience participation in radio discussions
through phone-in programmes.

The
researcher also assumes that the study will create an understanding in the
contributions of phone-in programme to the technicalities that make up the act
of communication as a whole.

1.9                        LIMITATIONS
OF THE STUDY

In
Nigeria, there are various radio stations that air phone-in programmes either
as a segment in a programme or as a whole phone-in programme. It is therefore
impossible to study the whole radio houses in Nigeria. Therefore the researcher
decided to study Grace 95.5 FM in Lokoja, Kogi state.

The
said station airs five phone-in programmes. The researcher in her discretion
picked “Soul Mender”, a phone-in programme aired every Wednesday between the
hours of 10pm-12 midnight which tackles relationship problems as it affects
everyday living. This will be the limit of this research work.