STAKEHOLDERS’ PERCEPTION OF IMPACT OF OILEXPLORATION AND MEDIA INVOLVEMENT IN MITIGATINGENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to find out how stakeholders in the South-South region of Nigeria perceive the impact of oil exploration on the environment in the region, and the role that the media can play in mitigating such impacts. The objectives of this study included to identify challenges faced by residents in South-South Nigeria due to oil exploration and environmental degradation in the region; and ascertain stakeholders’ perception of the roles of the media in mitigating the impact of oil exploration and environmental degradation in South-South Nigeria. The study was anchored on Agenda Setting and Yale Persuasion Theories. The Focus Group Discussion method was adopted as the research design for the study. Findings of the study revealed that oil exploration and environmental degradation had negative impacts on the social, health and economic lives of the people in the South-South region of Nigeria. Findings also showed that the media have a tremendous role to play in mitigating these negative impacts, by creating awareness, as well as act both as environmental watchdog and advocate. The researchers recommended that the media should be more intentional in their report of the environment, as such intentional reportage would prompt proactive reporting of matters relating to oil exploration and environmental degradation. KEYWORDS: Stakeholders’ Perception, Impact of Oil Exploration, Media I