Nigerian Video Films' Portrayal of Corrupt Practices in the Society

Résumé

 Corruption is one of the major problems confronting Nigeria's developmental goal. Overtime, it has grown wide and is deeply entrenched in the socio-political and economic life of the nation. This study examined the extent of portrayal and the treatment given to corrupt practices in selected Nigerian home videos in order to evaluate the contributions of the Nigerian movie industry towards the eradication of the scourge. The researchers used content analysis method and combined two hypotheses with a research question to analyze 76 English and Yoruba home videos. Chi-square, symmetric measure and frequency distribution were used as tools of analysis while agenda-setting theory, social cognitive theory and modeling theory were used as theoretical framework. Results showed that corrupt practices were generally under-represented in Nigeria home videos as all cases of corrupt practices found (38) constitute less than 3% of the total film duration. It was found that corrupt practices were more represented in Nigerian English movies (63.2%) than those produced in Yoruba movies (36.8%). Therefore, the first null hypothesis that assumed that corrupt practices would not be represented in Yoruba home videos more than English home videos was found valid and accepted. On the other hand, the second null hypothesis that assumed that there would be no significant representation of educational contents in the portrayal of corrupt practices in Nigerian home videos was found invalid and therefore rejected as educational contents were significantly (63.2%) represented. Overall, most cases of corrupt practices found in the study (n20 = 52.6%) were portrayed in negative and unfavorable light, as no case of corruption was glorified, encouraged or rewarded. However, most of the perpetrators of corrupt practices (60.5%) were not arrested while majority of those prosecuted and convicted (47.4%) were not actually punished. Findings of the study did not agree with the basic assumption of agenda setting and social cognitive theories but partly agree with modeling theory. The main implication of the findings is that the Nigerian home video industry has the potentials of educating viewers on the evils of corruption. Yet, some of the inappropriate elements, like failure to arrest, prosecute and punish offenders according to the law need to be corrected. Given the findings of this study, it was recommended that the National Orientation Agency in Nigeria should organize periodic seminars and conferences for stakeholders in the Nigerian movie industry, especially for movie producers, directors and marketers on how to effectively use entertainment-education strategies to enlighten viewers on the need to shun corrupt practices