Appraisal of Port-Harcourt Listeners’ Assessment of Hello Port-Harcourt Phone-in Programme on Nigeria Info (92.3) FM

Abstract

The study investigated Port-Harcourt Listeners assessment of Hello, Port-Harcourt phone-in programme on Nigeria Info (92.3) FM. It aimed at noting the participation of listeners’ who phone in, how they express their views and, the impact of phone-in programmes on listeners of Nigeria Info 92.3 FM. The objectives of the study are: to find out if listeners’ participate in the phone-in programme on Nigeria Info 92.3 FM, to also find out if callers to the phone-in programme are allowed to express their views, and to find out the impact of the phone-in programme on listeners. The study was hinged on the Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT) and the Agenda-Setting Theory. The study used the descriptive survey method with the questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The population of the study was 3,637,000, the sample size of 400 was derived using the Taro Yamane’s statistical formula. Simple random sampling was used in the study to guarantee that every participant had an equal chance of being chosen. The population for this study consisted of Port-Harcourt city residents who are old enough to listen to the radio and can access the phone-in programme. The Weighted Mean Score and the 4-point Likert scale were employed to analyse the data in the study. The results revealed that even though most participants listened, many listeners’ phone-in as a form of civic engagement, with the desire to learn and get informed and educated in the process. It equally found that even though callers are allowed to freely express themselves, such expressions are done within the broadcast standards. Many factors including, encouraging civic participation, creating awareness and advocacy, improving critical thinking, encouraging social accountability were presented as impacts of the phone-in programmes on listeners. Topping the list was shaping public and individual opinions on topical issues. The study concluded that the listeners’ participation and expression of their views (within broadcast standards) in Hello, Port-Harcourt phone-in programme, impact on private and public opinion of listeners. The study recommended that offering small rewards, such as giveaways or shout outs, can motivate more listeners to participate in the programme.