DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2020.v08i05.002

Pages: 242-248

Human trafficking is one of the many other types of neo-slavery where people are lured, tricked or forced to work against their will for the enrichment of others. It has become a serious socio-economic problem with grave national and international implications.Every year, countless number of men, women and children are trafficked illegally all over the world. It is perhaps the most devastating physical and psychological trauma experienced by men, women and children of all ages. Unarguably, the media have been playing a formidable role in the effort to combat the obnoxious trend of human trafficking. Anchoring on the agenda-setting theory as well as survey research methodology approach, the study critically examines the indispensable role of the media in the effort to address the issue of human trafficking; while at the same time assessing audience respond to media coverage on the issue, focusing on Amassoma Community in Bayelsa State. Findings reveal, among others, that the prevailing economic condition of the country has a lot to do with causes of human trafficking. The paper concludes that the media have contributed so much in sensitizing the people about the scourge of human trafficking; thus widening their knowledge and understanding of its root causes. However, to help prevent the media outlets from becoming a conduit for the exploitation of people through their advertising for jobs and other services, the study also advances very useful recommendations.