Study On The Effect Of Government Infringement On Press
Press has great impact on the individuals and society at large, hence it is expected that its ethical principles be adhered to and practitioners are to be guided by standards of professional practice that is acceptable globally. Today, the reverse seems to be the case as there is much gap between what is expected and what is practiced. It is on this premise that this study undertakes an evaluation of the effect of government infringement on press in Nigeria. Using the survey research design and the questionnaire as the instrument for collecting data, the study found among 744 journalists that there exist a high level of independence of journalism in Nigeria, due to government oppression. It is found that government infringement poses a great challenge not just to the performance of the press based on ethical principles but also on the image of the journalism profession. Hence, the researcher recommends amongst others that expert services should be engaged in the evaluation of the press in Nigeria with respect to profession standards of ethics and to ensure that the profession is up to date on regular basis to meet the required standard based on professional best practice.
Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Information is now called “power” like money and authority. Press that exercise control over information transmitted to the masses are now seen as strong force in building public opinion. As the “fourth power” in society, the press organizations attract attention of many scientists.
The government and its effects on different aspects of the press performance were the subject of many studies. This topic attracts many scholars due to importance of the press in social life of society and its ability to affect publics.
The press are seen as a social medium that contributes to building strong nations, feelings of unity by transmitting values and norms in messages. The press play role of an agent of the secondary socialization process and can contribute to successful socialization of individuals into existing social life.
This research addresses the question of the government infringement effects on ability to serve the public interest in society through transmission of values, knowledge and addressing interests of different groups of people present in certain society. Serving the public interest is part of a long-term welfare policy of government; it helps to build socially healthy society.
Building of market economy brought private capital to Russian media market. When new companies appeared, the press were not longer subsidized by government and gained profit from advertisement placement. Content of the press messages shifted: more entertainment programs appeared, the time devoted to children programs decreased, etc. As there is no policy in sphere of content regulation addressing issues of diversity and education of population, Russian scholars and politicians are concerned with the quality of the press content and its inability to serve the needs of society.
This research is based on data on Russian broadcasting stations. Russian the press gained independence from the government in the early 1990s, but still several of them are controlled by government through infringement. The government, as an owner, is interested in affecting publics and building understanding of its policies. Private owners may have different interests in the press – they may be interested not only in affecting publics, but also in making profit. This study will look for differences in serving the public interest in the press organization with different infringement structures.
Information on effects that the government infringement has on serving the public interest, if generalized, would be useful in building policy in sphere of the press.
1.2 Statement of Research Problems
Clamp down on the Nigerian press has become so rampant that it has become necessary to examine the issue of government infringement on press freedom vis-à-vis the effects it possibly has on the general performance of the Nigerian press. The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Enugu being a Federal Government Medium is vested with the responsibility to protect its boss, as well as defend the profession.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
It is hoped that by the end of the study, we would be able to discover the impact the suppression of the Nigerian press by government has had on the ability of the Nigerian journalist to perform his functions. Also its effects on programmes and News production in NTA would be examined.
It is also hoped that the result of the study will enable us know if the phenomenon has affected the growth of the Nigeria press.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The issue of the government/press relationship in Nigeria has raised a lot of interest both to the practitioners and the public, that a study into the phenomenon was long overdue.
This study will no doubt be useful to mass media practitioners in Nigeria and will help the public appreciate the onerous role of the press in Nigeria so as to enable them rise in defence of the press whenever it is threatened by excessive political power.
1.5 Research Questions
To what extent has government interference with News and programmes production affected the performance of the Nigerian press?
Has the lack of press freedom negatively affected the investigative spirit of journalists.
Does the lack of press freedom hinder the growth of journalism and by extension, national development?
1.7 Scope of the Study
The study focuses on press driven by the law for the public. In other words, the study analyzes the press, press companies and their external journalists who are tasked with providing real information. The study will seek to assess the independence of journalists and news in Nigeria. The question of the interested parties, the concept of independence of journalists and information in Nigeria are also taken into account. Therefore, the study will only be limited to external journalists, media companies, interested parties and the Nigerian public. The study covers the period from.
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