Journal of Social Science Research Vol 17 (2021) ISSN: 2321-1091 https://rajpub.com/index.php/jssr DOI: https://doi.org/10.24297/jssr.v17i.9015 The Big Brother Naija TV Reality Show as Coordinate of Media Functions and Dysfunctions 1Bolu John Folayan, PhD, 2Olubunmi Ajibade, PhD, 3Olubunmi Dipo-Adedoyin, 4Toyin Segun Onayinka, PhD, 5Toluwani Titilola Folayan 1Department of Mass Communication, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State, Nigeria 2Department of Mass Communication,University of Lagos,Akoka, Yaba, Nigeria 3Department of Mass Communication,Lagos State Polytechnic,,Ikorodu, Nigeria 4Department of Mass Communicaiton,Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria 5Department of Mass Communication ,Redeemer’s University,Ede, Nigeria [email protected], [email protected],, [email protected] [email protected] , [email protected] ABSTRACT The mass media play at least five basic functions which include news dissemination, surveillance of the environment, correlation of the components of the society, entertainment and transmission of social heritage. Sometimes, disruptions and impairments do occur in the performance of these roles and some of these basic functions become dysfunctions, which turn the media into purveyor of negative values. The present study investigates how popular the Nigerian TV reality show, Big Brother Naija (BBN), is perceived by its viewers. Three hundred heavy viewers of the programme were surveyed from Lagos and Ede, South-West Nigeria, and their opinions and attitudes were sought regarding; why they like or dislike the programme; the gratifications that those who like the programme derive and whether the BBN, as media content, is generally functional or dysfunctional to the society. Sixty-six per cent 66 (33.7%) of respondents like the programme because it entertains. Half of the respondents, 99(50.5%) dislike ‘immoral aspects’ of the programme. The viewers affirm that the eviction part of the programme was their highest form of gratification. Most respondents, despite public outcry against the programme, consider the programme to be “functional”. Findings reinforce the postulation that TV viewers are not passive consumers of media contents. KEYWORDS: Coordinate, Edutainment, Media Functions, Media Dysfunctions, Gratifications. INTRODUCTION The mass media (newspapers, magazines, books, periodicals, radio, television, films and the social media) perform key roles in the development of a society such as serving as forum for debate, political participation, re-orientation, socialization, mobilization, education and entertainment. (Lasswell, 2013). Of course, the media also serve as platform that connect advertisers with consumers and potential consumers (advertising function). Each mass media type varies in the effectiveness with which it performs the foregoing functions. According to Moemeka, a single communication message is capable of performing different functions (eliciting different consequences) in society- manifest and latent functions and dysfunctions. The manifest function connotes the media achieving its intended purpose; the latent function refers to the unintended positive outcome the message achieves while dysfunction refers to the inability of a message to achieve its intended purpose and doing something directly against or opposite the intention of the message (Moemeka, 2016). The functions of the mass media inter-relate with the consequence or impact of the message, which is mainly determinant by the predisposition of the audience and contexts in which they perform their duties. Each function has an element in another function or are a result of an attempt to reduce the dysfunction of the media (Moemeka 2016). In this sense, dysfunctions allude unproductive role the media serve in society or its ineffectiveness in performing their roles. For example, experts have suggested that television tends to corrupt its viewers, especially if what is shown is negative and that it wastes productive time and energy (Gerber Gross, 61 Journal of Social Science Research Vol 17 (2021) ISSN: 2321-1091 https://rajpub.com/index.php/jssr 1976). Media effects are the intentional or unintentional reverberations or outcome of what the media do (McQuail, 2010). This study is an investigation into the functional or dysfunctional role of the mass media – using broadcasting (television network) and a popular Nigerian reality TV show, Big Brother Naija as a case study. History of Reality Shows in Nigeria Reality shows gained popularity in Nigeria in 2003, when Bayo Okoh, a Nigerian, featured in the first season of Big Brother Africa (BBA) which is an adaptation of the international Big Brother series. BBA is a reality show which showcases 12 housemates from 12 different African countries living in an enclosed house for a stipulated period. The winner usually ends up with a cash prize coupled with fame. It, however, stopped transmission after nine seasons (Leviton, 2018). It was widely speculated that the reason for BBA’s popularity in Nigeria was the fact that Nigerians were eager and excited to be represented in an international/African programme as it was the first time that the reality show would be created using participants of different personalities from a continent. The relative success of Big Brother Africa with Nigerians resulted in another local reality show called Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS). The success of GUS also paved the way for more reality programmes such as MTN Project Fame West Africa, Glo’s Naija Sings, Maltina Dance Hall, Star Quest produced by Nigerian Breweries and Big Brother Naija. (Gonnym, 2018) The first season of BBN was launched on March 5, 2016 and lasted for 91 days. Subsequent editions were held in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The fourth season, tagged ‘Double Wahala’ recorded unprecedented viewership and ratings as over 170 million votes were recorded from viewers (Izuzu, 2018). Despite its soaring popularity, a large number of people have criticized the Big Brother Naija programme, arguing that it depicts indecent acts such as nudity, vulgarism, alcoholism, sex, among others (Anazia, 2018). Statement of the Problem Scholars hold different perspectives on the utilitarian value of media contents. On one side of the divide are development communication practitioners who posit that the media ought to publish only contents that could facilitate the development of the society (for example, Nora C. Quebral, Denis McQuail, and Frank Ugboajah). On the other side are those who promote the reflective theory – the media can only serve as mirrors of what happens in the society as both so-called negative and positive contents play important roles in shaping the society; (for example, Michael Gurevitch and Lee Loevinger). The foregoing perspectives technically suggest that media contents and media audience exert influences. The extent to which media-audience interactivity leads to specific outcomes has thus generated tremendous research among scholars. There remains a gap in such studies in Nigeria. For example, why would a highly- criticized programme such as BBN continue to generate heavy viewership, considering that these criticisms also emanate from the audience of television? The excerpt below is typical of series of criticisms against BBN: The on-going (sic) Big Brother Nigeria (BBNaija) has stolen the hearts of most Nigerians, especially the youth. It has created and still creates a buzz, particularly in the social media space, with (sic) high level of engagement in voting and followership among the Nigerian youth in particular, who devote their time and resources to follow the show religiously throughout the 85 days it features on MultiChoice’s DStv and GOtv platforms. Besides its entertainment value, the show has raised several cogent debates about morality and the essence of hard work, as the winner walks away with N25 million prize [more than $55,000] and N20 million [more than $44,000] worth of SUV, amounting to a total package of N45 million. Investigations revealed that during the (Season 2, See Gobe), 11 million votes were recorded at the last eviction before the grand finale. This increased as the frenetic campaigns on social media got heightened, putting the final vote tally at over 26 million, which was almost the 28.5 million votes recorded in the 2015 general election (Guardian.ng, 2018). From the foregoing, it is expedient to offer scholarly insight into the debate on the appropriateness of the programme. 62 Journal of Social Science Research Vol 17 (2021) ISSN: 2321-1091 https://rajpub.com/index.php/jssr Research Questions 1. Why do viewers like or dislike the BBN programme? 2. What gratifications do viewers who like the programme derive from the programme? 3. To what extent is the BBN, functional or dysfunctional to the society? LITERATURE REVIEW Conceptual Framework Meaning and impact of reality TV programmes Kilborn (1994) states that three criteria unite to comprehensively define what entails reality programming. These are: • Recording ‘on the wing’ and frequent events in the lives of individuals and groups through the aid of lightweight video equipment. • Attempt to simulate real-life events through various forms of dramatized reconstruction; • The incorporation of the recording in suitably edited form into an attractively packaged television programme which can be sponsored on the strength of its reality credentials. Wei and Tootle (2002:6) define reality television as TV shows that simulate real-world, real-life