Perception of and Attitude Toward Mass Media Reportage of the 2012 Flood in Rural Nigeria

Abstract

Despite reportage of the impending flood by the mass media, the 2012 flood was the most devastating in the history of Nigeria as it adversely affected 33 out of 36 states in the country. Therefore, this study examines people's perception of and attitude toward mass media reportage of the 2012 flood. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 300 households in rural communities in Delta and Anambra states while data analyses were by descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and regression analysis. More than 75% of the respondents received information about the flood from either radio or television, and there were significant spatial variations in perceptions of flood reportage. Furthermore, the regression results showed that generally, mass media reportage of the flood was not too effective in influencing people's attitude. Subsequently, recommendations were made on how to ensure that populations affected by floods have access to comprehensive, easily accessible, and effective information. SAGE Openproactive measures that could combat the effects of the floods and minimize its effects. These mass media messages were seemingly ignored, which led to the devastating effects of the flood as almost all states of the federation reported colossal destruction of properties, farmlands, animals, and even loss of human lives (OCHA, 2012).Evidence from studies in Nigeria indicates that people seem to have a negative perception of media reportage of issues. For instance, Afolabi (2010) noted that the mass media have not been timely in their reportage of conflicts and insurgencies. Other researchers also show that the Nigerian media have not effectively played a surveillance function in the reportage of conflicts and insurgencies, neither have they displayed a high level of objectivity in their reports (Okpara, 2010;Oputa, 2011;Lawrence, 2011;Hamida & Baba, 2014). This can partly be attributed to the fact that most media organizations in the country are owned by state (sub-national) governments and individuals, and as such, they are primarily used to promote the interests of their owners. In addition, it has been revealed that the Nigerian mass media do not give significant coverage and provide effective awareness on climate change issues even as they fail to offer adequate explanations to environmental issues in general (Batta, Ashong, & Bashir, 2013;Moeti, Maraisane, & Marou, 2008;Ukonu, Akpan, & Anorue, 2012). This can be seen in the reports on the 2012 flood as majority of the flood messages were presented in the straight news format, devoid of in-depth reports that could increase the knowledge of the populace on the causes and risks associated with the flood.In the event of disasters such as the 2012 flood, the importance of risk perception in disaster risk reduction and mitigation has been highlighted to include the anticipation and comprehension of people's responses to disasters, effective communication of risks information, and initiation and implementation of disaster prevention and mitiga...

A GIS based flood vulnerability modelling of Anambra State using an integrated IVFRN-DEMATEL-ANP model

“…Flood hazard has displaced more people in the country than any other natural hazard with the population at risk estimated to be 20% ( Cirella and Iyalomhe, 2018 ). The country has experienced several flood episodes with the 2012 flood episode being tagged the most severe and devastating flood episode ever witnessed in the country over the years ( Ajaero et al., 2016 ; Akukwe et al., 2020 ; Eboh et al., 2017 ; Ezeokoli et al., 2019 ; Nemine, 2015 ; Okafor, 2020 ; Tami and Moses, 2015 ). The 2012 flood episode affected over 30 states in the country with an estimated total of seven million people affected and an economic loss estimate of 2.6 trillion naira ( Okafor, 2020 ).…”

The Controversy on the Implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in Nigeria: The Accounting Perspective

“…Also no MDAs receive 100% of his monthly personnel cost releases from budget office. Only 92.5% of monthly salary released to the MDAs are paid across the numerous employees, as monthly emolument while 7.5% of the balance is credited to the employees' Retirement Savings Account with the Pension Fund Administrator of employee's choice along with the Federal Government counterpart proportionate contribution of 7.5% adding up to a total of 15% credited to the employee's Retirement Savings Account and no MDAs has a direct access to this pool of fund once credited to the employee's account with the pension fund administration [19]. The This table is the summary of the 2016 Appropriation Act showing various components of expenditures approved for the Agency in the 2016 Appropriation Act.…”

Actionable Information in Flood Risk Communications and the Potential for New Web-Based Tools for Long-Term Planning for Individuals and Community

“…Valencio and Valencio (2018) somewhat apologetically highlighted the many dilemmas involved in mass media reporting of catastrophic events, with the need to balance different expectations, perspectives, and needs desired by mass media consumers, all amid various logistical and financial limitations, leading to possible reduction of trust in the mass media. Consumers have also perceived that mass media effectiveness is less than ideal (Ajaero et al, 2016).…”