THE IMPRACTICABILITY OF PRESS FREEDOM DURING A POLITICAL TRANSITION IN NIGERIA

INTRODUCTION

1.0       background to the Study

It is commonplace for different societies to conceive the notion of press freedom in ways that bodes well with their socio-economic, political and cultural realities. This diversity of perceptions has triggered a multitude of definitions of press freedom; thereby making it difficult and impracticable for a realistic perception of press freedom to be instituted in many countries undergoing political transition. Even in some Western societies, there are disparities in the conceptual approach to press freedom, most commonly on the issue of the role of the government.

Many communication scholars examine the concept of press freedom more on the relationship between the government and mass media. On this basis, the definition of press freedom often tilts towards the libertarian ideology involving the absence of government intervention and control. This article establishes itself within the scholarly debate of the controversies of instituting a common and practicable approach to press freedom that meets the socioeconomic, cultural and political realities of each society. It also argues that some forms of government intervention are required to contain the excesses of a market-oriented liberal press system in societies undergoing political transition. It harps on the fact that freedom cannot be absolute in becoming an end in itself, but rather a means in achieving other goals of a society such as economic, political and cultural development. Consequently, government interventions depend on the diversities and peculiarities of a society.

In many Third World transition countries of Africa, the governments do not offer an enabling condition to accommodate the libertarian model of a free press. This is exemplified by the conceptualization of the Ubuntu model used alongside the development theory to define the meaning and approach to press freedom. These models, like the libertarian approach are not without complexities, thus this article offers new insights on its challenges and weaknesses in allowing for press freedom. It argues the fact that there is no befitting model of press freedom not saddled by various conditions.

In this article, I present the libertarian model of press freedom enshrined in the four theories of the press by Schramm et al., (1956) and trace the collapse of the socialist ideology and acceptance of the liberal market oriented model in many of the former communist societies such of Central and Eastern Europe. I also discuss the media system in Third World societies of Africa by examining the development and Ubuntu models that impact on the levels of press freedom. It is my purpose to highlight the impracticability of these conceptual approaches in allowing for an independent and objective press.

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EXPLORING THE IMPRACTICABILITY OF PRESS FREEDOM DURING A POLITICAL TRANSITION IN NIGERIA

INTRODUCTION

1.0       Background to the Study

It is commonplace for different societies to conceive the notion of press freedom in ways that bodes well with their socio-economic, political and cultural realities. This diversity of perceptions has triggered a multitude of definitions of press freedom; thereby making it difficult and impracticable for a realistic perception of press freedom to be instituted in many countries undergoing political transition. Even in some Western societies, there are disparities in the conceptual approach to press freedom, most commonly on the issue of the role of the government.

EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RADIO ADVERTISEMENTS OF FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAMMES

CHAPTER ONE

1.1       BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Advertising can be traced down to the origin of man. Therefore, it is a phenomenon that has been with the society for a very long time. Although advertising is so popular, it is difficult to come up with a single and an all embracing definition. However some scholars have proffered some definitions, which will be highlighted in this study.

According to academic’s dictionary of mass communication, compiled by Michael Hoffmann (2007). “Advertising is a paid, medicated, form of communication from an identifiable source, designed to persuade the receiver to take some action, now or in the future”.

EFFECTIVENESS OF RADIO IN THE MOBILIZATION OF PEOPLE FOR FAMILY PLANNING

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    Introduction

1.1                                 Background of the Study

Giving birth is something in which mankind and animals are equal….But rearing the young, and especially educating them for many years is something which is a unique gift and responsibility of a man. It is for this reason that it is important for human beings to put emphasis on caring for children and the ability to look after them properly, rather than thinking only about the number of children and the ability to give birth. For it often happens that man’s ability to give birth is greater than their ability to bring up the children (Julius Neyerere cited in Centre for Disease Control 1983).

COMPARISON OF THE USAGE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS BY COMMERCIAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL ORGANIZATIONS

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       Introduction

1.1       Background to the Study

Public relations unlike advertisement and other Marking Mix, Place all it efforts in building good image, name and public confidence in the mind of the various publics dealing with the organization. Public relations did not only see to good image for the products and services of the organization it serve but also ensure good image of the workers and management of the organization

It is widely accepted that the aim of any business or non-business organization like MTN Nigeria and Red Cross Society is to achieve growth, mobilize people, recruitment of members, and increase in turn over, assets and profit maximization. But all of this is dependent on the goodwill of the organization’s various publics.

THE ROLES OF COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS IN CREATING POLITICAL AWARENESS

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    Introduction

1.1    Background to the Study

          The important role media plays in fostering an environment of good governance and political awareness needs hardly be emphasized. As the watchdog and interpreter of public issues and events, the media has a special role in every society. In an information-based society the media has a disproportionately visible and influential role.

          Democracy cannot exist in the absence of the press. This is because democracy is based on popular will and popular opinion depends on the public’s awareness and knowledge. It is the mass media that brings up, promotes and propagates public awareness.

AN ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF BROADCAST MEDIA COVERAGE OF GENDER ISSUE

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    Introduction                

1.2    Background to the Study

     Repositioning of women has become issue of study and it has received the attention of UNESCO (1975-1985), “Toward Equality under the UN Decade for women in Africa, Asia, Latin and South American”, have brought women issues such as unequal job opportunities, cultural barriers, low economic  and political empowerment and human right abuses.

APPRAISAL OF MASS MEDIA ON THE PROMOTION CHILDREN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

1.0              Introduction

1.1              Background to the study

The Child Rights Act 2003 (CRA) incorporates all the rights and responsibilities of children; consolidates all laws relating to children into a single law; and specifies the duties and obligations of government, parents and other authorities, organizations and bodies including mass media. The Act defines a child as a person below the age of 18 years.

The media reflected this upsurge of interest in its coverage of human rights stories mostly, children’s right. Today the mass media make reference to children rights in their coverage more often and more systematically.

APPRAISAL OF THE ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN FOSTERING RELIGION PEACE

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       Introduction 
1.1       Background to the Study 

Definition of Peace

          The encyclopedia dictionary of the English language defines “peace” as a state of tranquility or quietness, freedom from war or hostility … public tranquility and order… in a state of harmony.   

          Owning to its diverse nature, one of Nigeria’s greatest needs is to achieve socio political integration. That will make the nation amendable to national, rather than regional or ethnic thinking, an absence of which will deprive the country the much sought after potency as instrument for social and political mobilization, undoubtedly have significant roles in the attainment of peace in Nigeria.

ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    INTRODUCTION

1.1    BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

           Nigeria has become a country playing host to the victory of wrong over light, falsehood over the truth and supremacy of personal irresponsibility over fundamental values. It is a country perpetuating a policy that fails to value human life and cherish human beings above material possession, power and pleasures; it is a place where men and women of honour, experience, credibility and self-consciousness have been cut their prime for daring to talk. It is a place where crooks are not protected by the powers that be and where leaders are not determined by the citizens. Votes without doubt, Nigeria is breeding fraud of corruption.

          For a Nigerian, it is quite disheartening to note that to a foreigner, the mere mention of Nigeria confuses up the thought of corruption, or is it that corruption remains them of Nigeria. Whichever angle one look at the simple point is that Nigeria has become almost interchangeable with the vicious word “corruption”.

CHALLENGES OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM PRACTICES IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       Introduction

1.1       Background to the Study

Investigative journalism is the aspect of journalism that deals with special investigation into special issues, events that is of high significance, such crime, corruption, political issue, terrorism, and others especially about people in political positions or people of high profile. This aspect of journalism is considered to be tedious, tactful and dangerous adventure because many investigative journalists tend to be exposed to kidnapping, killing, raping, threaten and the popular case is that of Dele Giwa who was killed on the 19th of October, 1986 in his house (No 25, Talabi Crescent, off Talabi street, Adeniyi Jones Avenue) by a letter bomb which was said to be delivered by Buba Marwa, a former military administrator of Lagos State.

ROLE OF NEWSPAPER VENDORS IN THE CIRCULATION AND AVAILABILITY OF NEWSPAPER IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

Nigeria’s newspaper industry is a vibrate one and this is because the press institution in the country has come a long way. Since the introduction of the first indigenous newspaper in 1859, the Nigerian reading public has been inundated with different newspapers, many of which are private owned. According to Sommerlad (1996) he states that “Nigeria has not only made progress in this important aspect of national growth and development; it has been made to adopt the press as a political tool, for economic development, stimulation of change and for social function.”  

ROLE OF NEWSPAPER VENDORS IN THE CIRCULATION AND AVAILABILITY OF NEWSPAPER IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

Nigeria’s newspaper industry is a vibrate one and this is because the press institution in the country has come a long way. Since the introduction of the first indigenous newspaper in 1859, the Nigerian reading public has been inundated with different newspapers, many of which are private owned. According to Sommerlad (1996) he states that “Nigeria has not only made progress in this important aspect of national growth and development; it has been made to adopt the press as a political tool, for economic development, stimulation of change and for social function.”  

THE IMPACT OF INTERNET ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF NIGERIAN STUDENTS

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The internet provides several opportunities for academic performance and competence among students. It is a mechanism for information dissemination and a medium for collaborative interaction between individual and their computers without regard for geographic limitation of space.

Leiner et al, (2000): Singh, (2002), the word internet is derived from two words; “international” and “network”. The Internet therefore can be defined as an international computer network of information available to the public through modern links.

ROLE OF NEWSPAPER VENDORS IN THE CIRCULATION AND AVAILABILITY OF NEWSPAPER IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

Nigeria’s newspaper industry is a vibrate one and this is because the press institution in the country has come a long way. Since the introduction of the first indigenous newspaper in 1859, the Nigerian reading public has been inundated with different newspapers, many of which are private owned. According to Sommerlad (1996) he states that “Nigeria has not only made progress in this important aspect of national growth and development; it has been made to adopt the press as a political tool, for economic development, stimulation of change and for social function.”  

THE IMPACT OF THE MEDIA ON ELECTORAL FORTUNE OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

1.0     Introduction

1.1     Background to the Study

Mass media play a crucial role in fostering an environment of good governance and political awareness in society. As the watchdog and interpreter of public issues and events, the media has a special role in every society. In information-based society; the media have a disproportionately visible and influential role says International Foundation for Election Systems, (2011).

IFES (2011) added that democracy cannot exist in the absence of the press. This is because democracy is based on popular will and popular opinion depends on the public’s awareness and knowledge. It is the mass media that bridges up, promotes and propagates public awareness.

THE ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN PREVENTING ELECTION RIGGING

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    Introduction

1.1    Background to the Study

          Muhammed, (2007) describes election rigging as a criminal conduct of subverting an entire electoral process through massive organized fraud with the active participation of officials of the electoral body. Election rigging takes place in three phases: before, during and after elections.

          Experience has shown that rigging can take many forms. It could be by stuffing of the ballot box with fake ballot papers before the election day or on the election day, falsification of results and forgery of figures both at polling units and collation centers, voting by unregistered person and publication of false statement of the withdrawal of a candidate.

PERCEPTION OF READERS ON THE USAGE OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE IN PRINT MEDIA IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       Introduction

1.1       Background to the Study

The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English defines language as “the system of expression by means of words” a particular system of words as used by a people or nation, or “a system of signs, movements and so on used to express meanings or feelings” or “a particular style or manner of expression such as in poetic language”.

Language can also be defined as “a communicative system consisting of formal units that are integrated through processes of combination”. Bonvillain, (2000). On his part, Omojuyigbe (2004) describes language as “a series of sounds strung together in groups to convey meaning to listeners”. From the various definitions of language, one can infer that language is an integral part of human behaviour and it serves as the primary means of interaction between people.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MEDIA STRUCTURE IN SOME SELECTED NEWSPAPERS IN NIGERIA

 CHAPTER ONE

1.0        Introduction

1.1       Background to the Sturdy

Organizational structure is the pillar or foundation on which the apex (i.e. higher authority) of the chart and follow the organization structure allows for management productivity.

The impact of mass media organization structure on the day-to-day activities of gathering, arranging, editing, publishing and disseminating of media product to the public differs from one media establishment to another. Whatever might be the nature of the establishment, there must be organization structure being the pillar on which ever establishment is to produce either goods or services at a profit. 

THE ROLES OF COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS IN POLITICAL MOBILIZATION

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    Introduction

1.1    Background to the Study

          The important role media play in fostering an environment of good governance and political awareness needs hardly be emphasized. As the watchdog and interpreter of public issues and events, the media has a special role in every society. In information-based society the media have a disproportionately visible and influential role. International Foundation for Election Systems, (2011).

          Democracy cannot exist in the absence of the press. This is because democracy is based on popular will and popular opinion depends on the public’s awareness and knowledge. It is the mass media that brings up, promotes and propagates public awareness.

          Fischer, (2002) says the main responsibility of the press is to provide comprehensive, analytical and factual news and opinion to the people on everyday issues and events of popular concern. To fulfill its duty and responsibility, the press must work according to the fundamental principles of professional ethics, as well as norms and values of journalism.

          Goodman, (2010) opines that democracy can neither be sustainable nor strong without a free press. On the other hand, press freedom will not be possible without democracy. Therefore, the mass media and journalists must be committed to democracy. For this, the press must be perpetually involved in the establishment and promotion of a democratic culture.

          The press must remain ever vigilant to protect and enforce people’s freedom of thought and expression and citizens’ right to all information relating to the various aspects of their life and future.

          Held, (2006) also observes the fact that access to information is a citizen’s right and must be taken to heart, and information must be presented in a simple and palatable manner. Right to information is inherent in democratic functioning and a pre-condition for good governance and the realization of all other human rights, including education and health care. The main objectives should be the promotion of transparency and accountability in governance so as to minimize corruption and inefficiency in public office and to ensure the public’s participation in governance and decision making.

          Media must be credible and trustworthy. Trust is the most valuable asset for any media. Once lost, it cannot be earned back. It is for this reason that all media must uphold their principles to provide accurate and factual news and other programmes.

          Jones, (2001). Press must understand the difference between politics in general and party politics. Media should not be a vehicle, or used as an advocate for any political party or ideology.

          Public and political issues should be clearly understood, analyzed and presented in an impartial manner.

          During elections/political campaigns, equal time slots or opportunity must be allocated to each of the legitimate political parties and candidates.

          In the course of elections, messages that encourage goodwill and harmony among all the ethnic groups, religions, genders, cultures, languages, regions and communities should be broadcast.

          Media plays the role of watch-dog in reporting corruption, complacency and negligence. In a changing, competitive landscape, compliance to good governance has never been taken so seriously, as people demand more transparency from both the government and private sectors. Responsible practices from government, universal principles on human rights and the fight against corruption have assumed great importance.

          A flourishing media sector enables people to make informed decisions, becoming more effective participants in society’s development.

In a developing country like Nepal, the relatively low level of literacy, the variations in topography and limited access to electricity all make radio the most suitable medium to satisfy the information needs of the masses.

          A robust, independent and pluralistic media environment is crucial for good governance and the overall development of the country. Freedom of expression, free flow of information and fair reporting without government and commercial influences are accelerators of development.

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