THE INFLUENCE OF WESTERN TELEVISION PROGRAMMES ON THE CULTURAL VALUES OF NIGERIA YOUTHS (A CASE STUDY OF CARITAS STUDENTS, ENUGU).

ABSTRACT

This research investigates the impact of TV programs on the cultural values of Nigerian youths. It particularly dealt with the impact on Nigerian University students. The study suggests that the current trend in cultural behavour of Nigerian youths as studied among Caritas students, Enugu, is particularly associated with their view of the western culture and exposure to western TV programmes. The assumed believe that foreign media program contents has a powerful direct effect is shared by optimistic modernization theory; Lerner (1962) Rogers (1964) Schramm (1964) and the later critical perspective of cultural and media imperialism, McPhail (1981), (1984) Gerbuer (1977). The study utilized the theory of acculturation coupled with the culturation hypothesis, “Defluer and Dennis 1991, Garbner 1977, Morgan 1991” explains that acculturation of Nigeria youths take place as a result of exposure to western Tv which influence the perception of Tv reality and alters self-image. From the review of related literature, the following hypotheses emerged for testing HI: More exposure to Tv will tend to identification of western television stars as models. H2: The improvement of Local Tv movies industries will increase Nigerian youths’ preference for local Tv product. Research hypotheses 1 and 2 received statistical support from the analysis of collected data using the survey research method Recommendations to check the cultural genocide for further research were preferred.