Impact of Television Reportage of Climate Change on Adaptive Behaviour of the Residents in Ondo state, Nigeria

Abstract

The effects of long-term shift in temperature and weather patterns have been phenomenal, especially as it affects people’s livelihood and communities. It is on this note this paper examined the impact of television reportage of climate change on adaptive behaviour of the residents in Ondo State, Nigeria. The study was anchored on Framing Theory. Moreover, the study employed survey design, and a population of 683,496 was derived from the three selected Local Government Areas of Ondo State. The study made use of random sampling approach and a sampling size of 400 was selected using Taro Yamane formula. The study revealed that television reports on issues related to climate change in Ondo State, Nigeria, have impact on the adaptive behaviour, which form the majority of the respondents. It also revealed that adaptive features regulation, safety and precaution and changes in adaptive features are the impact of television reportage of climate change on adaptive behaviour of the respondents. The study recommended that media as agents that set agenda for the public should be more proactive in reporting issues related to climate change in order to enlighten the general public. It also recommends that government agencies, especially those related to public service should engage in media campaign on issues related to climate change in order to give objective information to the general public on issues related to climate change, especially in Ondo State, Nigeria.