HAZARDS OF JOURNALISM PROFESSION UNDER
MILITARY REGIME
(FROM 1993 – 1998)
ABSTRACT
The core theoretical framework on which this study
anchors is to assess the legal problems/dangers vis a vis others that exist
with the practicing of journalism in Nigeria, under the military with
particular reference to General Sani Abacha’s regime.
The study revealed that journalists were arrested
and detained in their thousands thereby providing little or no room for the
pursuit of the TRUTH which is the hallmark of journalism profession. Sometimes
they loose their lives while doing their job.
It further went down to review the related
literature so as to give essence to the work.
In order to achieve the objectives of the study,
content analysis was used as a research method to show clearly the manifest
content of the media. It is an information technique that focuses on historical
analysis of available information obtained from, newspaper, magazines, tapes or
any other material that can guarantee permanence to information. With this
research method, I was able to analyze things and come up with reasonable
conclusion.
It
was found that there couldn’t be meaningful interaction between the government
and the citizenry, if the journalists were not allowed to operate freely. When
the journalists were intimidated, they will be inhibited from faithfully
reflecting the society to those in government and from letting the public know
what those in power think or do.
ABLE
OF CONTENT
Cover page I
Title page II
Approval page III
Dedication IV
Acknowledgement V
Abstract VII
Table of content IX
CHAPTER ONE- INTRODUCTION
Background of the study 1
Statement of research problem 4
Objectives of the study 5
Significance of the study 6
Research questions 6
Research hypothesis 6
Conceptual and operational definition 9
Assumption 11
Limitation of study 12
Reference 13
CHAPTER TWO- REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Sources of literature 15
The review 16
Summary of review 30
Reference 31
CHAPTER THREE- METHODOLOGY
Research method 33
Method of data collection 34
Method of data analysis 35
Reference 36
CHAPTER FOUR- DATA ANALYSIS
Results/findings of the study 37
Reference 44
CHAPTER FIVE- SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION
FOR FURTHER STUDIES
Summary 45
Recommendation 46
Bibliography 49
Questionnaire 53
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Journalism profession in Nigeria
encounters a catalogue of problems especially under the military regime. There
has been no smooth romance between the journalists and the government in power,
rather what was seen then was harassment, detention without trial, of the
journalist involved. These hazards/dangers that face the profession were caused
by the incessant enactment of repressive press laws by the government.
The
masses depend on the journalists for information on what is happening in their
immediate environment, therefore, the journalists is the link between the
rulers and ruled. So any negative treatment on the journalists affects not only
the people in the profession, but also the attitude and behaviour of the Nigerian
populace in general.
Therefore,
the hazardous nature of journalism profession under the military era should be
looked into so as to discourage the populace not to admit anything like
military rule again in the Nigerian society. It was said that the worst administration
in a democratic dispensation is far much better than the best administration
under military regime.
Nat
withstanding the fact that certain legal/professional techniques were employed
to check and curtail the excesses of journalists, the military, when in power,
were known for chaining the journalists with draconian laws, obnoxious decrees,
sack threats, elimination and constant proscription of media houses.
Journalists may see and hear evil and such will be sealed to make sure that
they don’t loose their lives or jobs.
News
watch magazines which was the toast of Nigerians because of fearlessness,
independent views and radical approaches to issues was put to stop when its
editor-in-chief was exterminated through a letter bomb blast, followed up six
months later by a proscription.
When
the provision for freedom of expression is guaranteed, some stings are being
attached to it, which made the journalist not to be free. In some government
media houses, the noble profession is forced to dance to the tune of their
‘lords’. While trying to tell unto the ethics of their profession, they are
meant to endanger their lives.
A
time, it became a sort of worry on how the journalists are being intimidated
and the clever manner, which the government officials take in denying their own
statement in the face of naked truth. At first, the government in power tries
to embrace the profession just to get it established and thereafter turns
against it. Because the journalists are ready to face their unravel their injustices,
they (the military) turns to scrutinize and cripple the press unnecessarily
with accumulation of obnoxious laws.
STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
Usually under military regime, more
government owned media were meant to be than private owned. As at the time of
Abacha, about six schools of journalism as well as many mass communication
departments were in existence. Also, over sixty and fifty radio/television
stations respectively and over 157 for newspaper and magazine were in existence
as at the time under review.
With
all these, there supposed to be existence of perfect journalism profession due
to the fact that they are being trained properly with polished languages,
balanced and fair reporting etc. However, it was still noticed that cases of
arrest of journalists by security agents, loss of job under written and
unwritten obnoxious laws, were still the hallmark of any military regime, even
when the constitutions made provisions for such basic human rights and freedom
by the government. The evidence was seen in the pronouncement by the Abacha
regime of establishing special court to try indicted journalists sometimes in
1997. The journalist, seeing all the hazards, resorts to dance to the whims of
the government or writes himself to jail.
With
these, questions arise on if the journalism profession still worth its meaning
with all these dangers posed to it, if the journalists were really free and if
there was neglect of ethics and principles of journalism on the part of
journalists.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The aim of the research should be to
find out:
i.
The dangers, which confront
journalism profession within the period under review.
ii.
If it is unethical to criticize
government policies/actions or public figures.
iii.
The implication of such
extra-journalistic laws in the profession of journalism in Nigeria.
SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE STUDY
i.
To make the journalists,
the potential journalists as well as the entire society, not to admit anything
like military administration in Nigerian society.
ii.
The study will also broaden
the views of mass communication students, especially those whose intentions are
to get into the profession on their rights and responsibilities as journalists.
RESEARCH
QUESTION
This study shall provide answers to the
following questions about the dangers posed to journalism profession especially
when the military men are in power.
i.
Does the military government
follow the constitution whenever they are in power?
ii.
Do journalists in Nigeria enjoy
free assess to information source?
iii.
Are Nigerians satisfied with the
kind of treatment the journalists pass through in the course of their duty?
iv.
Do the controversial press laws
violate freedom of the press in Nigeria?
v.
Do the Nigerian journalists
abide by the imagination of such codes and practices?
vi.
Does freedom of expression and
freedom of the press exist during the Abcha regime?
RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
In evaluating
the hazards of journalism profession in Nigeria under Abcha’s regime, the
following hypothesis shall be tested.
H1: The promulgation of
repressive laws is an impediment to professional growth of the journalists.
Ho: The promulgation of
repressive laws is not an impediment to professional growth of the journalists.
H2: Repressive press laws
constitute the major obstacle to the objectivity of journalism profession.
H0 Repressive press laws
do not constitute the major obstacle to the objectivity journalism profession.
H3: Press laws affect the
freedom of journalists.
H0: Press laws do not
affect the freedom of journalists.
H4: The effects of press
laws on the performance of journalists under Abacha regime depended on the
ownership and type of press.
H0: The effects of press
laws on the performance of journalists under Abacha regime do not depend on the
ownership and type of press.
CONCEPTUAL
AND OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
For the purpose of this study, the
following terms shall be defined both conceptually and operationally for
clarity.
i.
Journalism profession
ii.
Journalist
iii.
Press
iv.
Press freedom
v.
Extra legal constraints
JOURNALISM
PROFESSION
Conceptual:
A specialized duty that aims at informing,
educating, entertain and mobilizing the people through writing or publishing a
newspaper, magazine or periodicals.
Operational:
A profession, which is all about informing the
people about the happenings around them and expectations in various part of
their society as well as bringing the people’s problem to the knowledge to the
government.
JOURNALIST
Conceptual:
Person engaged in the work of writing, editing or
publishing a newspaper, magazine or periodicals.
Operational:
Person engaged in the business of reporting,
writing and editing of newspaper and magazine contents only.
PRESS
Conceptual:
Printed periodicals including magazines,
newspapers, books, leaflets etc.
Operational: Newspapers and magazines published excluding books, leaflets etc.
PRESS
FREEDOM
Conceptual: To act (journalists), write, without prior constraints, fearing
nothing in a proposed action or issue. Freedom to pursue the truth and the
publics right to know.
Operational:
To act without any form of restriction by the government
of the day through the use of legal and extra legal methods. It means in this
context, the right of the press government that are not within the limits of
law of the land.
EXTRA
LEGAL CONTRIANTS
Conceptual:
Going out of way of established to impede the work
of the person or persons targeted.
Operational: The use of harassments, lobbying, force and brown-envelopes to
waken the performance of the press in Nigeria within the period under
review.
ASSUMPTION
The study hinged on the assumption that:
1.
Certain instruments of the
government, which is known as press laws, are suppressing journalism.
2.
Ownership of the media under
the military affects journalism profession in terms of repressive press laws.
LIMITATION
OF STUDY
The study is such that should have
attracted a very wide scope, but because of time and financial constraints, the
study is limited to the period between 1993-1998.
It has not been easy shuttling between
offices for the gathering of facts, visiting bigger libraries going through
text books, newspapers and magazines articles and related subjects and also
studying project works of other scholars within the given time schedule.
REFERENCES
Agbo B. et.al, (2002) Media and Society
Ebo, S.J., (1994). Broadcasting
Management, Enugu
NNPIS
Publication.
Ekwelie, S., (1986) Nigerian Press Under
Civilian Rule.
Federal Government of Nigeria (1984)
Official Gazette.
Nwankwo, et. el (1993). The Crisis of
Press Freedom in Nigeria,
Lagos, constitutional Rights Project Publication.
Ogbandah, Onyedike, (1991) “Origins and
Interpretations of
Nigerian
Press Laws”, in ACCE, African Media Review Vol. 5 No 2, Pp. 61-62.
Ohunsuji, M.A., (1989) Introduction to
Print Journalism.
Omu, Fred., (1978). Press and Politics
in Nigeria,
London.
Longmann
Group Limited.
Omeje, M. (2004). Community Journalism,
Lecture Note
(Unpublished)
Department of Mass Communication, IMT.
Ukozor, N. (2003). Media ethics and Law,
Lecture Note
(Unpublished)
Department of Mass Communication, IMT.