AUDIENCE PERCEPTION OF POLITICAL NEWS PROGRAMME PRESENTATION IN ARISE AND CHANNELS TELEVISIONS AMONG RESIDENTS IN ENUGU METROPOLIS

Politics more often than not forms the greater part of the contents that media outlets present to the public. Because of political leanings or interests, politicians would always want the narratives to go in their favour. Hence, the tendency to influence the news contents and skew them in their favour, thus compromising objectivity. This study therefore sought to evaluate audience perception of political news handling in Arise and Channels Televisions. The study, which was anchored on Source Credibility and Perception Theories, was carried out using survey and in-depth interview methods. Respondents’ responses from Enugu South, Enugu North, and Enugu East LGAs, which constitute Enugu metropolis were analysed to ascertain their perception on the handling of political news programmes by these two broadcast media organizations. A quantitative sample of three hundred and thirty (330) respondents was randomly selected for the study, using the Australian Calculator. Analysis of data indicated that Arise and Channels, in spite of daunting challenges are in most cases perceived by the audience as mostly objective, fair and balanced in their political news programmes. Consequently, it is recommended among others that the journalists in the two stations, especially those who handle political programmes, should continue to be firm in their political news handling and in adhering to the professional ethics of journalism and being socially responsible in their news programmes. It is also recommended that they try to resist any attempt especially by the political class to get them compromised.