Description

ABSTRACT

Trafficking in persons has been an age-long practice at both local and international levels and this has gained international attention with the ‘Protocols to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons especially Women and Children’s which is also referred to as the ‘Trafficking Protocol’. This United Nations’ instrument has evidently removed the practice from the local to international domain of operation and therefore has become an issue of universal concern. However, the signing and domestication of this protocol in municipal laws of member countries particularly in Africa has not impacted significantly on the practice as cartels of human traffickers keep erupting even as the battle turns fierce against them. This paper peruses the causes of trafficking in persons, its dynamics and the media engagement in the fight against the scourge. In carrying out the study the researcher used survey design method, while questionnaire was the instrument of the study. Simple tables and percentages were used in analyzing and presenting the data collected. A total of two hundred questionnaires we given out to the mass media audience and one hundred questionnaires were issued to the mass media practitioners. The response rate of the mass media audience was one hundred and eighty. The data collected was analyzed to determine their responses. The response favorable and in support of the role of the media against child trafficking and abuse was analyzed and it was discovered that most of the victims of this ugly vices were from impoverished homes.This study proffers some peace building suggestions for the involvement of the media in the fight against human trafficking.

Keywords: child trafficking, Mass Media, Human Smuggling, Mass Media campaign.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page                                                                                                    i

Certificate page                                                                                        ii

Declaration                                                                                                 iii

Certification                                                                                               iv

Abstract                                                                                                       v

Dedication                                                                                                  vi

Acknowledgement                                                                                 vii

Table of contents                                                                                     vii

 

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the study

1.2     Statement of the problem

1.3     Objectives of the study

1.4     Research Questions

1.5     Significance of the study

1.6     Research Questions

1.7     Del imitations / Limitation

1.8     Operationalization/Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1     Conceptual review

2.2     Conceptual Review

2.1.1  Human Trafficking

2.1.2  Human Smuggling

2.1.3  Consequences of Human Trafficking/Smuggling

2.3     Theoretical review

2.2.1  The Fight against Human Trafficking in Nigeria

2.2.2  The Media

2.2.3  Types of Media Interventions

2.3    Empirical review of the study

2.3.1  Role Expectations of the Media in child Trafficking

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1     Research method

3.2     Research design

3.3     Research sample

3.4     Measuring instrument

3.5     Data collection

• Data analysis

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

4.1     Data   Analysis

4.2     Discussion of findings

 

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1     Conclusion

5.2     Recommendations

References

 

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                                        INTRODUCTION
1.1                                          BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In Africa, it is difficult to extricate trafficking in persons from the communal culture of Africans which makes a child a communal possession. The family is widely extended and can include all that belong to a tribe or even an ethnic group where all claim common descent. It is common place therefore for a child to live with an uncle of a hard to trace familial connection and enjoy paternal love and care from such. At the same time,such a child might be subjected to severe conditions in form of child labor under the supervision of such an uncle. Whatever the case might be, the parents are supposed to appreciate the ‘benefactor’ and nothing to the contrary. An exposure to adverse condition early in life is supposed to strengthen the child and prepare him for the challenges of the future. The Yoruba would say, ‘Omo a fi’sewonindagba, omo a fi ojuojo bi ko to gege’.This culture has inevitablylent a hand to the child trafficking phenomenon in Africa.

On the other hand, in the West, the industrial revolution of the 16thC ignited a huge demand for labor-particularly cheap labor. This questled to the Slave Trade that lasted over three centuries-16th-18thC(Wikipedia) when young African young men and women were carted away to Europe and the Americas. This crop of young, virile and healthy males and female Africans were made to work on their masters’ plantations under coarse conditions with their women and girls subjected to rape and other crimes to humanity.

Before the slave trade, British Kings, Earls, Lords and Bourgeoisie had retinue of servants working in their households at the mercy of their masters’ whims and caprices. This culture is not alien to other civilizations in the world even in Africa.

1.2      STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

I beat every sound minded Nigerians imagination why such act like child trafficking that is akin to slavery should continue after more than 200 years since slavery was stopped all over the world. Unfortunately, Nigeria has been indicted as a transit point irrespective of efforts of the media, government and non-governmental bodies towards finding a lasting solution to the change.

The exploitive and slave like conditions meted out on young persons under the age of seventeen is better described as cruelty to the Nigeria child. This indecent and ungodly act-should not strive. In Nigeria if the provision of the United Nation Conventions in 2000 and the Nigerian 1999 constitution is something to go by given the abuse emotional trauma and neglect the child in Nigeria undergoes, one can therefore agree that an average Nigerian is not much aware of the child right bill.

Several publication have been made by the Nigerian mass media concerning children that are continuously abuse and trafficked to foreign countries and within the nation in deceit for trafficking. Based on this premise, this research will further explain the danger the scourge portends and the need for all hands to be on deck for the mass media campaign on anti-child trafficking to be a success. Also we cannot continue to allow undesirable element to destroy the destinies of our children.

1.3      AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The nefarious act of child trafficking is no longer news in the country. Also to say that Nigeria is a catchment ground and as well as dumping point for child traffickers cannot in anyway raise eyebolt. No one can ever deny the fact that child abuse is on the increase in Nigeria. Based on these issues, government bodies and good spirited individuals are expected to take the bull by the horn to motivate, encourage and participate directly on the Nigerian mass media role in the anti-child trafficking campaigns. However, the main aim of this study is to determine the perception of Osogbo residents of mass media campaign against child trafficking in Nigeria using  Fresh FM, Osogbo, Osun State is t

Objectives of a study call for ways to address these under listhe case study.ed steps with a view to find lasting solution to this menace. Objectives of this are:

1. a)                To look inwardly as to discover the things that has impeded the Nigerian mass media anti-child trafficking                                         campaign.
2. b)                To appreciate and explain the Nigerian mass media role in their anti-child trafficking campaign as well as,
3. c)                 Identifying and addressing the root cause of the scourge.
4. d)               The study should also ascertain the government and non-governmental bodies’ effort in this campaign.
5. e)                 And to suggest some other measures that would be of help to the media in their quest to eradicate the scourge.
6. f)                  To investigate the level of ignorance exhibited by some media claimants.

1.4      SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study tends to provide information on child trafficking in the country. Also the need to address the Nigerian mass media encumbrances in their bid to fight the menace.

The research will be of immense help to guardians, parents, and children the nation and the entire world. The causes and measures to tackle these mysterious vices will be treated.

The study will help people understand how ungodly the menace is and the bad image it has created to Nigerians especially at times like this when the country is leading a crusade on re-branding the image of the nation.

The work among other things will go a long way in protecting the destinies of our children and the research shall serve as a referential material to other researcher who would like to embark on similar research work in due course.

1.5      RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1)    What are the mass media roles in the anti-child trafficking campaign in Nigeria?

2)  Are the Nigeria mass media effectively carry out their anti-child trafficking campaign?

3)    Have the Nigerian mass media live up to expectation so far?

4) What are the factors adversely impeding their effort in their anti-child trafficking campaign.

1.6      DELIMITATION / LIMITATION

The study will be restricted to the role of Fresh FM, Osogbo, Osun State mass media in the anti-child trafficking campaign in Nigeria. The study is limited to Osun State alone due to financial and time constraints. At any rate, the problem encountered in the cause of this research is getting of reports and materials on the Nigeria trafficking campaign and how to source out other relevant data.

Be that as it may, the research was able to obtain material from the press, books, and internet and media outlets.

1.7      DEFINITION OF TERMS AND CONCEPT

PERCEPTION:  Perception is the organization, identification, and interpretation of sensory information in order to represent and understand the presented information or environment.

MASS MEDIA: Sources of information and news such as newspaper, magazine, radio, television, internet, films that reach and influence the attitude and opinions of large people.

ANTI: Something a person does not agree with or accept

CHILD TRAFFICKING: The illegal sending away of children to foreign countries and within the country. Child abuse: It is a crime that harms a child in a physical, sexual or emotional way.

CAMPAIGN: A series of activities that is well articulated planned and organized to achieve or accomplish a particular goal.

CHAPTER FIVE

 

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 

• Introduction

This chapter focused on the conclusion and recommendation.

5.2               Conclusion

As the fourth realm of the estate, the media should bring to the fore, efforts of the government and the people to combat the menace of human trafficking within the country or at international markets. Activities of stakeholders,the NGOs, and other international statutory bodies, neighboring countries and regional organisations’ activities must be projected consistently, so that the public would be adequately informed and peace can be sustained in that sector of Nigeria’s existence.

5.3               Recommendations

In         respect of   this  study  and  from  the  conclusions               drawn,       the      following recommendations could be made;

Full participation of the mass media in campaign against child trafficking is highly recommended.

General public is recommended to provide useful information about child trafficking whenever they are called upon.

Government support is needed in providing devices that can be used in storing and gathering information.