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Abstract

This study examines the influence of political programmes on television particularly the popular Channels TV’s ‘Politics Today’ on youth’s participation in the 2019 governorship election in Lagos, which was characterized by a highly competitive political environment and an increased level of participation by youths. The Media Dependency theory formed the theoretical framework of the study. The survey method was adopted as method of study, hence the questionnaire served as instrument for data collection. Findings of the study showed that the youths in Bariga LCDA were to a very large extent exposed to political programmes on television. Findings also revealed that majority of the respondents were to a very large extent exposed to channels TV’s Politics Today before and during the election. Also, findings showed that Channels TV’s Politics Today created awareness and made the youths politically aware of the election and electioneering process. Furthermore, findings showed that Channels TV’s Politics Today contributed to a very large extent towards the increased participation of Bariga LCDA youths in the 2019 Lagos governorship election. It was concluded that Politics Today on Channels TV influenced the participation of Bariga LCDA youths in the 2019 governorship election in Lagos. Thus, it was recommended that more political programmes should be aired to make the public politically conscious and aware of the electioneering process. The study also recommends that non-governmental organizations whose operations bothers on political education and mobilization as well as governmental organizations such as the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) should on a sustained basis, sponsor political programmes on radio and television that is aimed at stimulating and entrenching a strong culture of broadcast media-mediated political participation in the polity.