THE MASS MEDIA AND THE PROSPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT FOR THE IGBO LANGUAGE

Abstract

The media play vital roles in the development of any nation. It showcases the indigenous languages and cultures and thereby promotes its relevance in the country. The topic “The Mass Media and the Prospects of Development for the Igbo Language” looked at the opportunities or ways the Igbo Language could be developed through the media. It looked at the media as an agent of national development. It examined the role of the media in promoting indigenous cultures which language is part of. It also looked at the media as a tool for Igbo language development. The reason for this research is the need for Igbo language to take its rightful position in the media as one of the three predominant languages in Nigeria. This discourse adopted a qualitative research approach, as data were collected and analyzed through secondary sources and also anchored on Development Media Theory. In this study, it was discovered that the Igbo language has been lagging behind in the media, by that we conclude that the national media should include frequently, Igbo language programs in their daily programs as such may bring back the enthusiast of learning Igbo Language and also an opportunity for Igbo language to regain its lost glory.