CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The creation of every society depends on
human presence, which means that without human presence there will be no
society of any form. The human therefore exists and depend on the community.
Communication started in oral and verbal
form which later developed into human ability to present ideas by drawing on
stones, cafes and later changed to reading and writing form of it.
The ability to read and write is a
significance development in the evaluation of mankind, this is because, and it
makes easy storage and preservation of norms, value and simultaneously adding
to the rate of intellectualism in the society.
No society can live or stand in unity,
peace and with an “abiding faith” in its progress without people receiving
positive and affirmative information about themselves and the leaders.
The press emerged from the
nation earlier for years into representative democracy really bodied and
battered. For example in the first
of , the Prime Minister, Tafawa
Balewa’s party NPC – NCNC coalition government assumed leadership on the
October 1st 1960 when became independent.
The Nigeria political history has been
subjected to various reforms to witnessed tremendous changes over the years and
can not be adequately discussed without the unique contributions of the media
aimed in establishing a favourable atmosphere for a good government to operate
their programmes and politics and making the government accountable to the
people and thereby contributing to the crusade for good governance beneficial
to the yarning and aspirations of the society.
The media has witnessed a
tremendous revolution from an ordinary information organ for self governance to
a formidable social-political force and take its rightful position in the
struggle for self-survival, self-actualization and an independent egalitarian
social institution. For “a society without a lively responsiveness to the facts
of public life and a concern for the welfare of the community, will collapse
and be ruled by an anarchy”. Without continued determination, self-recognition,
and professional steadfastness, the Nigeria
media has plan a niche for itself as the only search light for a good
governance and long lasting democracy in the turbulent
political terrain.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEMS
The main purpose of this research topic
“The roles of the mass media in Nigeria
politics” is to highlight the work of the media within the context of Nigeria
political revolutions. The study which intends to talk about the people,
will also present us the geographical spread, tribes, customs and traditions
and the diverse social cultural settings of the people.
The contributions of the media in
harmonizing these Herculean trends in pre-independent, independence and
post-independence of
periods would be critically examined and extensively narrated. The study would
also explain the impact of the media toward the political development of the
country and identify the constraints, tribulations, ordeals facing the media as
a social institution in performing its certain functions of an inevitable
channels or stations for political consciousness.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The study find answers to the following
questions.
1. What
are the functions of the media in political activities?
2. What
are the functions of the media in politics?
3. What
are the contributions of the media in the politics of ?
4. What
are the challenges facing the media in reporting political clients and issues
in ?
How can media help to improve
politics?
1.4 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The topic of the study, “the roles of the
mass media in Nigeria
politics” will evaluate and investigate the roles and travails of the media
practitioners in the storming
political arena. It also applies to the journalists to be aware of their
professional ethics, responsibilities, certain roles, and expect any form of
report in political issues and events.
The study would also enlighten the students of mass
communication to the impacts of mass media in the society and the nation at
large. It is aimed at finding out the opinions of the people on the expected
roles of the mass media in Nigeria
politics, most especially, the entrenchment of democracy and governance in .
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The significance of the study cannot be
over emphasized, because, Nigeria
is the most populous black in the whole of African nations and it is recognized
as the giant of .
Considering the large human and natural
resources, the political transformation and revolutions witnessed by the
country from the pre-colonial era up till date is one of the major hallmarks as
a nation. It is also worthy to note the ever increasing political awareness and
enlighten campaigns played majorly by the media. The study is rested in
examining and evaluating the functions, roles and responsibilities of the media
in the political development of the country in order to place the mass media in
appropriate position of the forth estate of power, and taking after the
executive legislature and judiciary.
Furthermore, the roles of the media is
said to be the “watchdog of the society” in relation to their status of the
omnipotence universal character since the media serves as social tools for political
restrictions.
As turbulent and storming as the
political situations over the years now, the contributions of the mass media
towards achieving an egalitarian society for the country through good
governance can not be ignored.
In addition, readers, researcher, students
and learners would find this academic effort informative, educative, analytical
and indicatively, entertaining in the course of their individual and collective
endeavours most especially, while trying to identify and appreciate the
institutional responsibilities of the mass media within the context of Nigeria
political history.
1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
The scope of the study covers the
historical background of media activities in politics landscape with specific
emphasis selected in the past and present public and private owned media
houses, radio and television stations as well as notable news magazines.
The difficulties encountered in carrying
out the research are due to inadequate and non-availability of relevant
textbooks in the school library most especially on mass communication,
political science and other related courses.
Lastly, the study therefore limit our
views and opinions of the staff in media houses such as radio and television
stations which is the broadcast media, newspaper and magazines which is the
print media, the opinions of notable individuals, professionals such as,
politicians, political scientists, academicians, journalists and other relevant
stakeholders.
1.7 DEFINITIONS OF KEY POINTS
It must be understood that during the
course of study, one would come across some notable key words that are relevant
and judiciously used to express ideas, views and explanations. These notable
key words are not strange but based on the topic “the roles of the mass media
in Nigeria politics,” they need to be identified and briefly explained for easy
understanding of the passage.
Ø
Media:
It consist of all channels of mass communication which are radio, television,
newspaper, magazine, journals, books, films, telephone, billboards etc. the
media is categorized into two namely; the print and electronic media.
Ø
Politics:
It is the act of science of government, the management of a political party,
political affairs and opinions.
Ø
Politician:
This refers to a member of government or law making organizations or a person
versed in the science of government or a person who is interested in party
politics.
Ø
Hero:
It is a person, especially a man who is admired by many people for doing
something brave or good in the society.
Ø
Decree:
It is an official order from a ruler or a government that becomes the law or a
predetermined judicial decision for a specific purpose.
Ø
Democracy:
It is a system of government in which all the people of a country can vote to
select their representative and can be voted for.
Ø
Editorials:
Are articles in a newspaper page which express the editor’s opinion on a
subject of particular interest at any given time.
Ø
Programmes:
The things that people watch on television or listen to on the radio station to
educate, entertain and inform them.
Ø
Challenges:
Means difficult task that tests somebody’s ability and skills.
Constitutions:
The system of law
and basic principles that a state, a country or an organization is governed by