IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

RESEARCH JOURNAL OF MASS COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (RJMCIT )

E-ISSN 2545-529X
P-ISSN 2695-2475
VOL. 11 NO. 2 2025
DOI: 10.56201/rjmcit.vol.11.no2.2025.pg60.73

---

Indigenous Language Media and Women Social Empowerment in Rivers State, Nigeria

IRE, Ebele Stella PhD

---

Abstract

This study is an examination of indigenous language media and women social empowerment in Rivers State, Nigeria. This study adopted a qualitative research method. The population of the study consisted of women in Rivers State who actively consume indigenous language media, including radio, television, and digital platforms. A sample size of 20 participants were selected using purposive sampling technique. The primary method of data collection was email interviews, allowing participants to provide detailed, reflective responses at their convenience. Participants were receive structured, open-ended questions designed to elicit in-depth insights on how indigenous language media influences women's awareness, agency, and participation in socio-economic and political activities. For data analysis, the study employed thematic analysis, where interview responses were transcribed, coded, and categorised into themes that reflect key patterns and emerging insights. This method ensures a systematic interpretation of qualitative data, allowing for a nuanced understanding of how indigenous language media fosters women’s empowerment, the barriers they face, and possible policy recommendations for improving gender-inclusive communication. Findings from the study revealed that, indigenous language media plays a crucial role in enhancing women’s access to vital information, particularly in health, agriculture, and governance, by breaking down language barriers and providing content that is culturally relevant and accessible, although infrastructural challenges such as poor network coverage and limited access to devices hinder its full reach. The study concluded that indigenous language media plays a pivotal role in enhancing women’s access to critical information, providing them with the tools to make informed decisions about their health, economic, and social lives, but its full potential is constrained by infrastructural limitations, requir

keywords:

Indigenous language media, Women social empowerment, Rivers state, Nigeria

---

Akinfeleye, R. (2019). Gender representation in Nigerian indigenous language media:
Challenges and prospects. University of Lagos Press.
Amadiume, I. (2018). Reinventing Africa: Matriarchy, religion, and culture. Zed Books.
Blumler, J. G., & Katz, E. (1974). The uses of mass communications: Current perspectives on
gratifications research. Sage.
Emejulu, A., & Okechukwu, C. (2020). Media, women, and development in Africa: New
perspectives on communication and gender equity. Routledge.
Kabeer, N. (1999). Resources, agency, and achievements: reflections on the measurement of
women’s empowerment. Development and Change, 30(3), 435-464.
Katz, E., Blumler, J. G., & Gurevitch, M. (1974). Utilization of Mass Communication by the
Individual. In J. G. Blumler & E. Katz (Eds.), The uses of mass communications: Current
perspectives on gratifications research. (pp. 19-32). Sage
Lull, J. (1995). Media, Communication, Culture: A Global Approach. Polity Press.
McQuail, D. (2010). McQuail’s mass communication theory (6th ed.). Sage.
Oloruntola, S. (2020). Community radio and women’s empowerment in Nigeria: A case study of
rural broadcasting initiatives. African Journal of Communication, 15(2), 112-128.
Oso, L., & Pate, U. (2019). Media, governance, and development in Nigeria: Critical
perspectives on communication and society. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Oyedemi, T. (2021). Digital media and the gender divide in Africa: Inclusion and empowerment
challenges. Palgrave Macmillan.
Ruggiero, T. E. (2000). Uses and gratifications theory in the 21st century. Mass Communication
& Society, 3(1), 3-37.
Salawu, A. (2015). Indigenous language media in Africa: The struggle for development and
empowerment. IGI Global.
Tufte, T. (2017). Communication and social change: A citizen perspective. Polity Press.
Uche, L. (2019). Media policies and development communication in Nigeria: Bridging the
gender gap. African Media Review, 27(1), 89-105.
UNESCO. (2022). Gender-sensitive media guidelines: Best practices for inclusive reporting.
UNESCO Publications.

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back