Television Behaviour of Theological Students in Nairobi: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the television behaviour of theological students in Nairobi, to analyze factors that account for this behaviour and to establish the relationship, ff any between theological training and television behaviour. A survey questionnaire was developed and used to collect data. A sample of 201 students from six theological schools was selected randomly. Eighty percent (80%) of the questionnaires were duly completed. The data were coded, keyed into the computer and analyzed using the SPSS for windows 10.0: frequencies, cross-tabulations of selected variables, and appropriate correlations were generated. Some of the key findings were the following: Theological students manifested light television watching with keen inter- est in a substantial number of programs generally available on television, and Christian programs in particular. Theological students in Nairobi had a favorable attitude toward television as a medium and toward television watching. However, they were cau- tious about potential bad effects of some television programs. Theological students generally used television within the parameters of their interests and needs, and communal constraints. In brief, the television behaviour of theological students in Nairobi can be conceptualised as a pentad of light watching, admiration, caution, utility and program-centeredness. On the one hand this television behaviour is healthy, in the sense that the respondents demonstrated an element of responsibility in using television. On the other hand, it was unhealthy in the sense that the respondents seemed to portray an element of passiveness in critiquing television, which to some extent could undermine their healthy part of television behaviour. If the trend continues in theological schools, and if there is no change after the training, the collective role of future theologians in participating in the practices of television programming in the electronic age seems unpromising of positive par- ticipation in general, and guiding the church in particular confirming the lament of Poerwowidagagolo and Plou (1996). However, the trend can be reversed if action is taken to sensitise theological students on the effects of television in the society, and the role that church leaders and theologians should play in uphold- ing morality in the society especially vis-à-vis television programming.