AN ASSESSMENT OF THE BROADCAST MEDIA IN THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILD LABOUR AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN NIGERIA

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE BROADCAST MEDIA IN THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILD LABOUR AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN NIGERIA

chapter One

Foreword

1.2 Research Background

Human trafficking, especially child trafficking, and child labor are some of the cruel departures from the concept of social upbringing of children. The severe exploitation, abuse and deprivation of these children through trafficking and forced labour, has been proven detrimental to their development and, in turn, to the development of society. Continuing such abuse and exploitation seriously undermines children’s development potential and jeopardizes the future of entire nations.

Like most other countries in the world, Nigeria faces countless social problems and crimes. The rate of violent crimes against humans is alarming for Nigeria, especially in this digital age. Child labor and human trafficking are among the most heinous crimes against humans (Abubakar, 2001). The threat of child labor and human trafficking permeates most river basins, especially Nigeria’s south-south geopolitical zone. But this heinous act is not insurmountable. One of the means of combating child labor and human trafficking is through the use of broadcast media and dedicated statutory bodies (Abubakar, 2001).

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP) is the public agency responsible for addressing the issue of human trafficking and child abuse in Nigeria. According to Adebayo (2001, p. 67), most of a child’s needs support growth and development from infancy through adulthood. At this stage of child development, the most important issue is the provision of facilities and the promotion of a socio-cultural environment conducive to the sustained improvement of the child’s mental, physical and social health and thus society. The reproductive seed planted in man by Almighty God has ensured the survival of mankind throughout history and will last until the end of time.

This people-to-young humanity has centuries of history. Crime has increased sharply in the last 12 years. This is because people were lured into fraud or forced into forced labor for economic reasons due to proliferation. This practice occurs both domestically and internationally, and Nigeria happens to be one of the destinations for human trafficking for “the crime of physical, sexual and emotional harm to children” (Maduewesin, 2002). Uchem (2008, p. 3) claims that there is no statistical record of how the media spread news about this threat. Recent research shows that human trafficking is a global problem and essentially a problem of home assistance services. Lutz (2002, p. 24) also confirms that the domestic helpers in various places were mainly young single girls over her 14 years of age.

Child trafficking in Nigeria has flourished despite a constitutional provision prohibiting slavery and forced labor in Article 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution. Subjects must not be tortured or subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment. (b) No person shall be held in slavery or servitude. (c) No person shall be forced or forced to work in compulsory labor. §§ 223-225

Nonetheless, the role of the broadcast media in raising awareness of trafficking and child labour, through extensive coverage of trafficking and child abuse through non-stop dramatized programs, films, dramas and broadcast media programs , is a worthwhile effort. Coverage of a radio campaign few people know firsthand and the unraveling of events related to this tragedy. Therefore, the Nigerian media is believed to be able to bring about social change on human trafficking and child labor in Nigeria through campaigns.

1.2 Problem Description

More than 200 years after slavery was abolished around the world, no sane Nigerian can understand why slavery-like human trafficking continues. Unfortunately, despite efforts by the media, governments and NGOs to find lasting solutions to change, Nigeria has been denounced as a transit point. The exploitative and enslaved conditions faced by children under the age of 17 are best described as atrocities against Nigerian society. This vulgar and impious act should not be aspired to. Thousands of children are reportedly smuggled across borders each year and sold as mere commodities. As a result of this ugly trend, their survival and development are under constant threat, and their right to life is in jeopardy. However, as children are an untapped resource for any country, empirical research is needed on the brutal nature of neglect, abuse and torture inflicted on children in the form of trafficking. So the questions this study entails are:
What is the role of broadcast media in the campaign against child labor and human trafficking in Nigeria?