Influence of Radio Projection of Secular Music on the Attitudes and Behaviors of Students at Ekiti State University.

ABSTRACT This study looks at how radio broadcasts of secular music affect the attitudes and behaviors of students at Ekiti State University (EKSU). With radio being a major way students listen to music, we wanted to find out how the messages in these songs impact how they think and act in their daily lives. To do this, we used surveys and group discussions with students to collect both numbers and personal stories about their music habits and how these songs influence their views and behaviors. The research design for this study is a descriptive survey design, the sample size used for the study was 400 respondents. The instrument used for the study was self-structured questionnaire. Our results show that most students listen to secular music on the radio regularly, highlighting how important radio is in shaping their cultural experiences. The messages about love, empowerment, and social issues in these songs often connect with students, affecting their views on relationships and social behaviors. While many students reported positive changes, such as being more social and open-minded, some also mentioned that they sometimes imitate negative behaviors seen in certain songs. This research emphasizes the importance of teaching students how to think critically about the music they listen to. We suggest that radio stations should not just entertain but also provide valuable information to help listeners understand the messages in the songs. By promoting awareness of the cultural impact of secular music, both educational institutions and radio stations can work together to improve students' engagement with media. This study adds to the conversation about how media influences young people and highlights the role of radio in shaping societal value. It was recommended that the widespread availability of secular music on the radio should encourage conformity, particularly with regard to fashion, slang, and behavioral trends. Students may adopt behaviors or attitudes that align with the artists they admire. Encourage students to critically engage with the music they listen to. Providing media literacy education can help them differentiate between entertainment and harmful messages.