Abstract:
Millions of our fellow human beings continue to live as contemporary slaves, victims of abominable practices like human trafficking, forced labour and sexual exploitation. Human trafficking causes grievous harm to the victims whose human rights are violated through physical, emotional and sexual exploitation. Individual victims and their families are often subjected to violence and even death. In addition, the society is gravely affected as it exacerbates the concerns for human security. This study seeks to find out the audience perception of media campaigns on human trafficking precisely in the South-south region of Nigeria. In executing this study, the researcher used the survey design research method. Australian National Statistical Service (NSS) Online Calculator was used to draw a manageable sample size (428) from the population of this study which comprised residents in the South-south. Findings revealed that 55.4 per cent are exposed to campaigns while 81 per cent are aware to some extent on the campaigns on human trafficking with the television (60.3%) and radio (36.8%) as major sources of exposure. The research also revealed that the audience perceives these campaigns as beneficial (77.0%), educative/informative (60.8%), encouraging (44.3%) but not regular (40%). Intensifying campaigns using the internet, billboards (movable and non movable), posters, brochure, booklets and leaflets alongside with the television and radio programmes and creation of employment will go a long way in reducing the ill of human trafficking in our society.
