ABSTRACT

The research work used social responsibility and Agenda setting theories to examine the importance of media coverage of sports programmes in Nigeria. The research work also carried out an investigation on the role of mass media in the area of sports coverage and to make suggestions on how to progress and towards the works of the mass media and also the mass media have many functions such as educating, entertaining and informing. It is the duty of the mass media to inform the public regularly on the issues of sports.

CHAPTER I

1.0   INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background to the study

The responsibilities of the mass media as a social institution cannot be over emphasized, it is not therefore an over statement to point out here that the co-existence of the society and the functionality of government and its agencies are the reason the mass media exist.  This means that the mass media have responsibilities that are meant to keep the society in peace, unity and progress.

However, the mass media are the collective network of a journalists channels and instruments that are responsibility for gathering and dissemination of information to the heterogeneous audience.  Among other function of the mass media to the masses are information, education and entertainment responsibilities.

The mass media owe the society the duty of always upholding the principles, views, ideas and acts that promote stability, unity and mutual co-existence in the society.

On the other hand, is sports which is very broad in its enlarged form.  Sports means A series of physical activities which includes soccer, judo, volleyball, athletics, basketball and tabled tennis.  Most sports can also be undertaken as recreation.

In this light, it is pertinent at this juncture, to state that the purpose of the research work is to x-ray the coverage of sports programme by the mass media.