| Abstract: |
This study examined Rivers State University students’ perception of the Big Brother Naija reality television programme. The study was anchored on the cultivation theory and the uses and gratifications theory. The study gathered quantitative data from respondents using the survey design. The population of the study was the number of undergraduate students, which amounted to 26,834. The sample size was drawn from the population using the Raosoft online sample size calculator table, which was approximately 400 respondents. The study used the convenience sampling technique to reach respondents. The instrument that was used for gathering data for the study was the questionnaire. Data that were collected in the research were statistically analyzed using simple percentages, frequency distributions, Weighted Mean Scores . The data were presented in tables. Findings revealed that the students of Rivers State University do watch the Big Brother Naija reality programme and that their perception towards the programme and how it affects them is individualistic. Findings also revealed that the respondents find the show morally questionable even though they find it entertaining. The study concluded that because Big Brother Naija is unscripted and unedited, it does depict reality to a very large extent and that majority of its audience is made up of the younger minds who watch the programme for various reasons including fashion, latest trends, conflicts and entertainment. Based on the foregoing, this study recommends that the broadcast regulatory bodies and producers of the Big Brother Naija reality programme should look deeper into the Big Brother Naija and strike a balance between freedom of expression and obscenity. |
