AUDIENCE PERCEPTION OF KAPITAL FM COVERAGE OF THE 2014 EBOLA CRISIS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Disease epidemics come always as a surprise to human society. These emergencies can be manmade or natural with their proportionate consequences on the socio-economic, political and health needs of society. Ebola outbreak in Nigeria in the year 2014 was one of the most frightening health emergencies in recent times, and as a social problem, there was need to inform Nigerians properly on the dangers associated with the disease and to keep them informed on how to escape the monster (Ebola virus). However, the concern of this study is to evaluate Kapital FM Radio campaign against the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria 2014 as a subsidiary of FRCN. The quantitative approach was adopted in gathering the information used in this study where questionnaires and interviews were designed to obtain information from FCT residents and the data analysed using tables, numbers and percentages. The study adopted the ‘social responsibility and agenda setting’ theories as the conceptual framework. However, it was discovered in the study that radio is a potent medium for information needs for most Nigerians, but the mode or language of communication of the radio, especially in times of emergencies, still poses some challenges. Therefore, the recommendation of this study is that radio in Nigeria should be more creative and committed during emergencies like Ebola, in language choice. If epidemics and other forms of emrgencies are reported in digestible language as this study suggests, such situations might not warrant the overbearing fear and suspicion that usually follow them.