An Evaluation of the Role of Radio in Curbing Crime Among Youths in Warri: A Case Study of Mega 89.1 Fm

Abstract

Youth crime remains a major social concern in many Nigerian urban communities, while radio continues to provide an accessible platform for public education, security information, and community dialogue. This study evaluated the role of Mega 89.1 FM in curbing crime among youths in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and focused on youths aged 15–35 years. A sample size of 384 was initially determined from an estimated youth population of approximately 180,000 using the Krejcie and Morgan approach; however, 322 questionnaires were administered and 300 valid copies were retrieved and analyzed, representing a 93.2% retrieval rate among administered questionnaires. Data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages. The results show that 57.7% of respondents listened to Mega 89.1 FM, 63% were aware of its crime-related programmes, and 79% reported exposure to at least one form of crime-related content. Radio was the most preferred channel for crime information (44%), ahead of television (29%) and social media (27%). Most respondents considered the station’s crime-related programmes informative and educative (75%); 66% believed that regular crime-related broadcasting could reduce youth involvement in crime, 58% reported personal anti-crime influence from the programmes, and 71% supported more frequent crime-prevention broadcasting. Assault (20.0%), stealing (16.7%), and burglary (13.3%) were the most frequently identified youth-related offences. The findings indicate that Mega 89.1 FM has an important perceived and self-reported role in crime awareness and pro-social communication among youths in Warri. Because the study is cross-sectional and perception-based, the findings should not be interpreted as proof of a causal reduction in recorded crime rates.