Scriptwriters’ perception of use of soap opera in agricultural information dissemination in South-western Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed scriptwriters’ perception of use of soap opera for agricultural information dissemination in South-western Nigeria. A total of 30 scriptwriters were interviewed using questionnaire Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and linear regression at p=0.05. Findings reveal that lack of adequate fund (243.4) and lack of sponsors (226.6) were perceived constraints by scriptwriters to developing scripts for promoting agriculture using soap opera. The majority (93.3%) had favourable perception of the use of soap opera for promoting agriculture. There was a significant relationship between perceived constraints (r =0.12; p≤0.05) and scriptwriters’ perception of use of soaps for promoting agriculture, while age (β = 3.18, t = 12.05, p = ≤0.05) and being an actor (β = 1.96, t = 7.61, p = ≤0.05) were the main determinants of scriptwriters’ perception of use of soap opera in dissemination of agricultural information. Scriptwriters’ favourable perception is a green light for production of agricultural based soap in Nigeria if sponsorship is guaranteed. It is recommended that an adequate source of fund or sponsorship should be sourced for use of soap opera for agricultural information dissemination.Keywords: Scriptwriters, agricultural information, soap opera

Perceived effectiveness of radio jingle in combating the spread of Corona Virus among rural dwellers in Ifo and Odeda Local Government Areas of Ogun State, Nigeria

“…Amidst the rage of the pandemic, individuals in rural areas may seek to hold on to the cultural and norm practices as it would be challenging to have socio-cultural adjustments, posing an additional threat to stayhome orders, physical distancing and other precautionary measures rolled out by most central governments and health authorities. Poor information access, as well as infodemic and poor health literacy in rural areas have been a challenge (Olajide & Ladigbolu, 2020). Rural areas generally have limited access to the media.…”