Broadcast Media and Political Participation of Women in 2023 General Election in Rivers State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study examined broadcast media and political participation of women in 2023 general election in Rivers State. Agenda-setting theory was anchored in this study. This study adopted a qualitative research approach using in-depth interviews to explore how broadcast media influenced women’s political participation in Rivers State during the 2023 general election. The population of the study comprised 76 female politicians, media practitioners, electoral officers and women voters in Rivers State. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select a sample size of 20 participants, including five female candidates, five media professionals (radio and television broadcasters), five officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and five women voters. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted face-to-face and via virtual platforms, recorded with participants’ consent and transcribed for analysis. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns and key themes related to media influence, gender representation, and electoral participation. The findings revealed that women were significantly underrepresented in broadcast media coverage during the 2023 general election in Rivers State, as female politicians received limited airtime and were often portrayed through gendered stereotypes rather than as serious political contenders. The study concluded that the underrepresentation of female politicians in broadcast media during the 2023 general election in Rivers State underscores the persistent gender bias in political reporting, highlighting the need for more inclusive media policies and equitable airtime allocation to ensure balanced representation. The study recommended that Media organisations should implement gender-sensitive policies to ensure equitable airtime and balanced representation of female politicians in political reporting.
