International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Legislation and public policy making constitute important aspects of the political process. They are affected by various social and economic factors, including the media which play key roles in shaping the social context in which legislations and policies are fashioned (AALEP, 2013). Conversations on media effect on the society tend to focus on how the media impact on the society through their information, education and entertainment functions among others. However, much is not known about how the interaction of policy makers and legislators with the media at their official and personal levels influence the making of the nations’ laws and policies.
Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of media exposure on legislative output of the 10th National Assembly members of South-West Nigeria extraction.
Method: The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The total population of the study was 61. Each of the six states of the zone has three senators (18), and 51 members of the House of Representatives in varying numbers, amounting to 61. Using both purposive and accidental sampling techniques, 12 of the legislators were randomly selected for the study.
Results: The study found that though the majority of the legislators are heavy media users, there was however, no strong relationship between their consumption of media and their legislative function.
Conclusion: The study concludes that Southwest legislators in the 10th Assembly were heavy media users but their main purpose of use was primarily to get more informed especially on the path of their functions as legislators.
Unique Contribution: The study is unique in terms of testing the hypotheses or theory of Uses and Gratification which has been proven to be valid in the study, as shown in the various reasons for legislators’ consumption of the media contents.
Key Recommendations: Legislators need to focus effort on media contents that address matters of relevance to their primary duties to enable them improve their knowledge and experience in the areas of their functions; they should strategically engage with the media with the aim of making their views known at all times and also understanding with they are expected to do from their constituents through the media; The legislators should create and maintain a mutually rewarding relationship with the media through a strategic method of engagement with the media that will guarantee mutually rewarding outcomes.