CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Communication has always been in existence even before the name communication was attach to it. Communication can come through different forms, either as Non-verbal communication or verbal communication. In any way it comes as, it is the dissemination of information, ideas, feelings, emotions, thoughts within oneself or from one person to another.
Thus, communication is the activity of conveying information through the exchange of ideas, feelings, intentions. attitudes, expectations, perceptions or commands, as by speech, gestures, writings, behaviour and possibly by other means such as electromagnetic, chemical or physical phenomena. It is the meaningful exchange of information between two or more participants ( machines, organisms or their parts). Communication requires a sender, a message, a medium and a recipient, although the receiver those not have to be present or aware of the senders intention to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast distances in time and space. Communication requires that the communicating parties share an area of communicative commonality. The communication process is complete once the receiver understands the senders message.
Communication as an academic discipline, sometimes called “communicology” relates to all the ways we communicate, so it embraces a large body of study and knowledge. Although, there is such a thing as one-way communication, communication can better be described as a two way process in which it is an exchange of ideas towards a mutually accepted goals or directions.
Hence, the process of a phone-in programme in mass media is an important means of communication strategy, to generate awareness and sharing of ideas. In most developing countries, Nigeria inclusive, radio is an effective medium to reach the general population. Unlike TV and print, radio programmes are popular platform for direct audience participation to exchange views and voice concerns on issues to increase knowledge, encourage open discussion on health, human rights and other relevant issues and promote sustained behavioural changes.
In broadcasting, a phone in programme is a format in which listeners are invited to air their views comments, opinion through telephone. Usually, in respect of a specific topic for discussion, the presenter is made the line open for interested listener to share his/her views using mobile phones.
According to research, BBC radio Nottingham is credited with having aired the first phone-in programme on February 4th 1968 in a programme called “What Arc They Up To Now”?
Speech-based talk Radio UK was launched in 1995 with much of its programming featuring phone in programmes. Ian Hutchby carried a research on poor relations in phone-in programmes looking at arguments and confrontations. He used conversation analysis to describe how the host retains power through devices such as “the second positions” –the concept of going second in a discussion, giving the host time to formulate a response.