An Analysis of Media Ownership and the Credibility of News Reporting in Nigeria
Chapter One
Objectives of the study
This study aimed to analyse media ownership and the credibility of news reporting in Nigeria. The specific objectives are to:
- examine whether political and personal ideological differences affect objective reportage among journalists.
- examine whether ownership of media organization influence objectivity in news reportage.
- investigate if media organizations adhere to journalistic guidelines.
- investigate the extent to which objectivity affects the credibility and prestige of media organizations.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
The chapter deals with literature review on the concept of an analysis of media ownership and the credibility of news reporting in Nigeria. This involves various definitions of mass media, news distortion, and history of media ownership in Nigeria, the review of empirical studies, theoretical review and theoretical framework.
Conceptual Review
In this section, the basic relevant concepts were reviewed. These include mass media, news distortion, among others.
Mass Media
Mass media refers to a diverse array of media technologies that reach a large audience via mass communication. The mass media refers to all the avenue through which information can be passed from one person to numerous, scattered and heterogeneous audiences. They also mean the vehicles through which messages, information, ideas, knowledge and culture are transmitted to a large audience. According to Nwosu (1996), cited in Afamuefuna (2007), mass media are a technical communication concept which refers to the devices employed by anyone involved in a mass mediated communication situation for moving messages across distance or time. The technologies through which this communication takes place include a variety of outlets. Mass media refers to the technologies used as channels for a small group of people to communicate with a larger number of people.
- Broadcast media transmit information electronically via media such as films, radio, recorded music, or television.
- Digital media comprises both Internet and mobile mass communication.
- Internet media comprise such services as email, social media sites, websites, and Internet-based radio and television.
- Outdoor media transmit information via such media as AR advertising; billboards; blimps; flying billboards (signs in tow of airplanes); placards or kiosks placed inside and outside buses, commercial buildings, shops, sports stadiums, subway cars, or trains; signs; or skywriting.
- Print media transmit information via physical objects, such as books, comics, magazines, newspapers, or pamphlets.
- Event organizing and public speaking can also be considered forms of mass media.
Mass media performs three key functions; educating, shaping public relations, and advocating for a particular policy or point of view. As education tools, media not only impart knowledge, but can be part of larger efforts to promote actions having social utility. As public relations tools, media assist organizations in achieving credibility and respect among public health opinion leaders, stakeholders, and other gatekeepers. Finally, as advocacy tools, mass media assist leaders in setting a policy agenda, shaping debates about controversial issues, and gaining support for particular viewpoints.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter covers the methodology of this study. Key issues discussed includes; data collection, sampling technique, instrument for data collection, method of data analysis among others.
Research Design
The research design used for this study is survey. It is used as an assessment tool to provide information on which to base sound decisions. It also serves as a foundation for more investigation. The data gathered in a survey are usually answers to predetermined questions that are asked of respondents. This research method was adopted because it offers opportunity for the collation of facts and information from a wide spectrum of respondents without much expense, hence it is expedient for this research.
The use of survey is a favourable option for the following reasons:
- It is accurate
- It is unstructured and can capture time change.
This method is objective in the sense that the personal bias of the researcher is not allowed in findings.
Population of the Study
The population included staffs of NTA News24, staffs of Channels TV and staffs of TVC News.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
Introduction
In this chapter, the researcher tends to deal with the analysis and presentation of data collected in the course of this project. A total of 400 copies of questionnaire were administered in the area under study and 372 copies were retrieved from the respondents. This represents 93% return rate.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
This chapter deals with the summary of this study, conclusions from the findings and recommendations which can be used for policy making.
Summary
This study analysis media ownership and the credibility of news reporting in Nigeria. The study is in five chapters. In the first chapter, a general background of the study was undertaken. In view of the background, the problems of study were identified and stated, the research questions, the objective, scope and significant of the study were outline and discussed. Finally in the first chapter is the definition of key concepts used in the study.
Chapter two contains the review of various literatures on the concept of an analysis of media ownership and the credibility of news reporting in Nigeria. This involves various definitions of mass media, news distortion, and history of media ownership in Nigeria. Also in the second chapter is the empirical and theoretical reviews, theory use as a basis for this study (information theory) was found best for this study.
In the third chapter of this work, the research design, population of study, sample size, sampling techniques, instrument for data collection, method of data collection, validity/reliability of instrument and method of data analysis were all discussed.
In the fourth chapter, data collected (primary) were presented and analysed to answer the research questions. Based on the various findings, the four questions were answered. After the analysis, the findings are as follows:
- Sometimes political and personal ideological difference affect objective reportage among journalist.
- Ownership of media organization sometimes influence objectivity in news reportage.
- Media organization do not always adhere to journalistic guidelines.
- Objectivity affect the credibility and prestige of media organization.
Conclusion
This study has underscored an analysis of media ownership and the credibility of news reporting in Nigeria. Findings from this research uncovered that objectivity in news reportage leads to credibility of media organization. This is consistent with the findings of This is consistent with the findings of Rishante (2014) which revealed that television news reportage can be achieved only if the reporters observe their journalistics ethical guidelines, and are also allowed practice free without interference from media owners and government. This also goes in line with the findings of This is consistent with the findings of Ojenike, B., Adedokun S.O., Odugbemi, J.B and Ojenike, J.O (2016) which revealed that if media is effectively positioned, it can enhance good governance through disclosure and exposure of governments shady practices; publicizing citizens’ needs and requirements, presentation of impacts of government policies and action through media outlets. Consequently, the presence of a good media structure could be indirectly essential for sustainable development.
Thus, in the light of the foregoing, this study reliably concludes that objectivity and credibility in news is the best.
Recommendations
On the strength of the observations and findings made in this study the following recommendations have been made.
- Political and personal ideological difference should not affect objectivity in news reportage among journalist.
- Ownership of media organization should not influence objectivity in news reportage.
- Media organization should always adhere to journalistic guidelines.
- Objectivity affect the credibility and prestige of media organization, thus media organizations should always be objective in their news reportage.
Limitations to the Study
The study faced some constraints. They include insufficient literature material, financial constraint, time constraint, location of the case study. However findings and recommendation is made valuable for policy implementation.
Suggestions for Further Studies
This study has researched on an analysis of media ownership and the credibility of news reporting in Nigeria. Further research can be done on the following:
- Owners’ influence on news reportage.
- Objectivity of mass media and news reportage.
REFERENCES
- Rishante, S. P. (2014). Objectivity in television news reportage: an evaluation of “occupy Nigeria movement” (oil subsidy protest). An international journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol. 3(2).
- Apuke, D. O. (2016). Journalists’ perception of news commercialization and its implication on media credibility in Nigeria. WSN 55 (2016) 63-76.
- Gans, T. (1992). New media and the polarization of American political discourse. Political Communication, 25, 345-365.
- Ryan, K. (2001). Measuring the concept of credibility. Journalism Quarterly, vol.23. 234-237.
- Ward, G., & Wanta, W. (1999). Second-level agenda setting in the New Hampshire primary: A comparison of coverage in three newspapers and public perceptions of candidates. Journalism
- Ojenike, B., Adedokun S.O., Odugbemi, J.B and Ojenike, J.O (2016); the Media, Good Governance and Sustainable Development: A Critical Nexus. Journal of Political Science and Leadership Research Vol. 2 No.2 2016 www.iiardpub.org
- Santas, Tsegyu and Ogoshi, John Dogara (2016); an Appraisal of Mass Media Role in Consolidating Democracy in Nigeria. African Research Review An International Multidisciplinary Journal, Ethiopia Vol. 10(1), Serial No.40, January, 2016:73-86 ISSN 1994-9057 (Print) ISSN 2070–0083 (Online) Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/afrrev.v10i1.7.
