BROADCAST MEDIA COVERAGE OF 2022 FLOOD IN OGUTA AND OHAJI/EGBEMA LGAs, IMO STATE

Abstract

The thrust of this study was to evaluate broadcast media stations’ reportage offlooding in Nigeria, using Oguta and Ohaji/Egbema LGAs of Imo State as reference points.The study anchored on the Framing theory adopted the content analysis method to evaluateflood disaster stories in NTA, Owerri and IBC, Owerri. 244 programme guides of the twostations from July 2022 to October 2022 were chosen. A sample size of 56 was determinedusing the composite or construct week method. Findings showed that the main format usuallyadopted by the broadcast media for reportage of flood disasters was the Straight news; the toneof flood disaster stories evokes fear and panic; the quality of flood stories covered wereunbalanced; the broadcast stations do not adequately cover the causes, impact, and strategiesto curb flood disasters in their reportage. Recommendations were that NTA, Owerri and IBC,Owerri, as well as other broadcast media in Nigeria, should minimise the use of straight newsand adopt more feature presentations/documentaries, opinions/interviews; their news andreports of flood disasters should be framed and presented in such a way that it would instilhope, trust and preparedness, not evoke fear, panic, and anxiety, to the people; they shouldavoid “afghanistanism” and balance their news reportage; and there should be a synergybetween the broadcast media, Federal and State emergency and rescue agencies to warn andeducate the public about flood disasters.