Public Perception of the Effectiveness of Television in Covering Female Contestants in Elections (A Study of Akure Metropolis and the 2019 General Elections)

This study examines public perception of television’s role in covering female political contestants during the 2019 general elections in Akure Metropolis. Specifically, it investigates how the general public perceived the media’s coverage of female candidates and assesses the extent to which television emphasized women’s political participation during the electoral period. Grounded in Agenda-Setting Theory, the study employed a survey research design to collect data from a representative sample of respondents. Findings indicate that media campaigns during the 2019 elections were largely characterized by persuasive political rhetoric, ethnic bias, and personality-focused narratives. Moreover, a significant proportion of respondents expressed a negative perception of television coverage of female contestants, suggesting a persistent gender gap in political media representation. The study recommends that media organizations give greater visibility to women’s political engagement, both as candidates and supporters. It also advocates for the integration of gender sensitivity and media literacy into higher education curricula as a strategy to foster long-term social awareness and promote inclusive democratic practices.