International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: The last decade has seen an increase in artisanal refining in parts of Port Harcourt which has affected lives and properties. Government and environmental experts through the media have embarked on campaigns to discourage the practice. However, this problem continue to exist, posing problem to the environment. Whereas studies exist on other impacts of artisanal refining, there remains a gap on how television covers the environmental effects of artisanal refining. This study therefore, investigated patterns of television coverage of the environmental effects of artisanal oil refining in Rivers State. Objectives: This study examined the frequency at which Nigerian Television Authority and African Independent Television in Rivers State cover the environmental effects of artisanal refining and the prominence given to the coverage of environmental effects of artisanal refining in Rivers State. Methods: The study adopted content analysis as the research design. The population of the study was 48 episodes, while the period of study was April 1 to October 31, 2023. Coding sheet/guide served as instrument for analysis, as the purposive sampling technique was used to select only two of NTA and AIT’s programmes, which focused on environment-related issues. Results: Findings showed that the frequency of coverage of the environmental effects by NTA and AIT in Rivers State was low, however, the level of prominence placed on the coverage by the selected media was high. Conclusions: It was concluded that although limited in frequency, the study had higher prominence, which indicated a disconnect between frequency and prominence as variables.
Unique Contribution: This study contributes to the disconnect between media, environment, and community as the frequency of coverage had no significant relationship between media representation and environmental action of artisanal refining.
Key Recommendation: The study recommends among others that, media houses should give more frequency to coverage of environmental issues and its effects.