ABSTRACT
The major focus of this
study is to find out how the audience perceives the radio drama as a tool for social
change. The survey method was adopted for the study. A questionnaire containing multiple-choice
and written-response questions was administered to three hundred (300)
respondents from three randomly selected local government areas of Kaduna state
in Northwest Nigeria. Data obtained from copies of the returned questionnaires
were analysed using simple percentages and chi-square-based statistics.
Analyses reveal that majority of respondents do not see the selected radio
drama as sufficient on its own (in its present form) to bring about increased
awareness on issues concerning the social change.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background to study
Radio is
regarded as the blind man's medium. However, it has the ability to stimulate
the mind. It was invented by a great Italian electrical engineer, Guglielmo
Marconi in 1895 (Brittnre, 1989) and from its first tentative experiments, it
has expanded into an almost universal medium of communication. It is a medium
that leaps around the world on short waves, linking the continents, the
nations, states, regions and communities in a fraction of a second. It brings
the world to those who cannot read and helps maintain a contact for those who
cannot see. Okigbo points out the
popularity of radio in Nigeria stating that:
"The
attraction radio has for rural dwellers is derived from its cheap price and
cost of operation" (57).
He further explains
that:
"Radio sets
are portable and can be used by both the educated and the illiterate"
(58).
Radio drama is a
dramatized, purely acostic performance broadcast on radio or published on audio
media such as tape or compact disc. With no visual components, radio drama
depends on dialogue, music, and sound effects to help the listener imagine the
characters and story. It is auditory in the physical dimension but equally
powerful as visual force in the psychological dimension. By the 1940s, radio
drama became a leading international popular entertainment.
The Roman
playwright Seneca has been claimed as the forerunner of radio drama because his
plays were performed by readers as sound plays, not by actors as stage plays,
but in this respect, Seneca had no significant successor until the 20th century
technology made possible the widespread dissemination of sound plays.
However, radio
drama can be traced back to the 1900. In 1901, French Engineer Clement Ader had
filed a patent for improvements of telephone equipment in Theatres.
(Theatrophone). English language drama seems to have started in the United
States.
Meleish Ponts
that:
The radio medium
has a distinguished History of turning thoughts, words and actions into
satisfying pictures within the listeners mind by using techniques of drama
(221).
This no doubt
helps to place in perspective the concept of radio drama, which is using sound
and words to create vivid pictures in the minds of listeners and which must
satisfy some objectives.
Duno (2002)
explains that the objectives of these programmes are "relaxation" and
entertainment. He adds that local stations use drama to propagate societal
norms values and systems. It can also be used as satire to correct societal
ills and clarify gross misconception held about prevailing societal issues.
The importance
of radio drama can not be over-emphasized because it can serve as a corrective
tool for social change. In Nigeria, there are several radio drama aired across
the nation. But "one thing at a time" is broadcast nationwide in both
public and private radio stations, hence, it is the focus of this study.
1.2
Statements of Problem
The need to
reform the societal behaviour has become paramount. The decadence in the
Nigerian society is on the high side. But in the theatre today, most theatre
directors/producers do not see the need of producing a radio drama. Hence radio
drama has been overlooked not only in the educational theatre but also in the
general society. This has made people not to pay attention to radio drama.
Hence, the main thrust of this work is to proffer solution to this problem.
Change is the only thing that is constant in nature, so humans must adapt to
favourable social changes for a better and healthy living. However, radio drama
is an effect tool though which these changes can be achieved.
1.3
Scope of Study
This study
focuses on "effectiveness of radio drama as a tool for social change"
using "one thing at a time" as a case study. It tends to point out
the importance of drama/radio drama in our society. The scope of this study
would show how drama helps the society to see themselves through the characters
in their right form.
1.4
Research Questions
Can radio drama
be used as a corrective tool?
Can radio drama
serve as an enlightenment purpose?
Is radio drama
effective?
Does the
audience/listeners appreciate radio drama as entertaining and educative medium
for social change?
Is radio drama
well-structured and produced to achieve its desired goal?
1.5
Objectives of Study
The aim of this
study is to create the awareness that radio drama is a vital tool in effecting
social change in our society.
This work is
also intended to;
state the fact
that radio drama is an effective tool for social change
See how a
well-structured radio drama can bring about a desired change.
1.6
Rationale
Radio has a wide
coverage of audience. It has also recorded huge success in communication
sector. Drama is a recreation of human actions and feelings. It is a play to be
acted. Drama reaches the hearts of people where real changes manifest from,
hence, radio drama can bring about the expected social change.
1.7
Significance of Study
The significance
of this study is to provide the society with the knowledge that radio drama is
very effective and important in bringing about positive social change.
Since this study
intends to show the effectiveness and importance of radio drama as a tool for
social change, it will go a long way to provide radio drama producer with
further knowledge on how to produce a well-structured and packaged radio drama.
Also, it will provide the educationist, parents and the general public an
appropriate means in their quest to correcting the ill social behaviour in the
society.
Lastly, the
researcher intends to make her findings and recommendation as a good starting
point for further research in related fields in the near future
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Item Type: Project Material | Size: 40 pages | Chapters: 1-5
Format: MS Word | Delivery: Within 30Mins.
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