Audience Perception of Television Animated Cartoons as Tool for Political Communication: A Study of Selected Towns in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated audience perception of television animated cartoons as tool for political communication. The specific objectives of the study were: to find out the frequency of exposure to television animated cartoons between males and females; to find out the frequency of exposure to television animated cartoons between audience members with primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education; to find out the perception of television cartoons between males and females and to find out the perception of television cartoons between audience members with primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education. Survey research design was adopted for the study. The sample size was 384 selected from three areas-Lokoja, Makurdi and Lafia of North Central Nigeria-while multi-stage sampling technique was adopted for the study. A self-developed questionnaire was the instrument of data collection. Findings showed a difference in the mean scores of males and females on their exposure to and perception about TV animated cartoons. Result also showed a difference in the mean scores of respondents with primary, secondary and tertiary education on their perception about TV animated cartoons. The researcher recommends, among others, that TV cartoonists should think out of the box and come with crafty cartoons that effective convey political messages.

Key words: audience assessment animated cartoons, TV for political communication