Communication and Good Governance
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the Study
The broad objective of this study is to analyze the communication and good governance as a case study. Other specific objectives include:
- To examine the roles that the Nigerian media has been playing in promoting good governance in the country.
- To explore the relationship between the media and good governance in Nigeria.
- To also examine the challenges faced by the media in promoting good governance in Nigeria.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
CONCEPTUAL REVIEW
Media
The media, with specific reference to the collective entity of newspapers, radio, television and the Internet, are important in shaping the development process of a country. Development involves changes or advancement in a nation aimed at improving the political, economic and social lives of the people. It is a multidimensional process of action, organization and communication and involves economic, political, social and cultural factors The real influence of the media in national development will depend on the media themselves, the societies in which they operate, and the audience they reach. None of these factors are the same everywhere, at all times, or all conditions. The media in dictatorships, for example, are not likely to exercise the same influence as those in democratic societies. The media‟s crucial role in national development is not in doubt. The role covers the political, economic and social spheres. The media set the public agenda and act as the gatekeeper of public issues. They perform the watchdog role especially in political transparency and fight against corruption. As the fourth estate, the media provide the checks and balances in relation to the three branches of government, as created by the constitution. Media are particularly important in facilitating nationbuilding especially of post-colonial societies and those experiencing ethnic and religious diversities. The media has been variously defined by scholars of mass communication among which media is referred to as a collective means of communication by which general public or populace is kept informed about the day to day happenings in the society. The media is also said to be an aggregation of all communication channels that use techniques of making a lot of direct personal communication between the communicator and the public. While talking of mass media however, the word “mass” means a large number of people or collection of organs of communication and information dissemination that reaches out a large number of people. The information circulation is not only confined within members of the public but the media also serves to coordinate the information flow between government and the public and vice versa.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of thirty-six (36) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only thirty (30) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 30 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
The broad objective of this study is to analyze the communication and good governance using Vanguard Newspaper as a case study. It examine the roles that the role of communication in promoting good governance in the country. It explored the relationship between the media and good governance in Nigeria. It also examine the challenges faced by the media in promoting good governance in Nigeria.
The study adopted a survey research design and with the aid of convenient sampling method, the researcher enrolled 36 participants in the study who are media practitioners in Vanguard Newspaper in Ebonyi State. Well structured questionnaire was issued and a total of 30 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants. Data was analyzed in simple percentage using frequencies and tables.Hypothesis test was conducted using Chi-Square statistical tool (spss).
CONCLUSION
Achieving Good Governance requires the understanding and participation of every member of the society. However, it has been observed that for governance to be just and democratic, leaders more than any other sector of the society need to use their power responsibly and for the greater good. Systems and procedures need to be in place that impose restraints on power and encourage government officials to act in the public’s best interests. From the result of the study, the following conclusions were ascertained:
There is a significant correlation between media challenges and promotion of good governance. More so the media promotes good governance by helping to creating public awareness on new government policies. They provide platforms for public debate on the effect of new national issues of concern and They issue public orientation on political issues and voters education. however the media face challenges such as Unprofessionalism in sticking to the ethic of journalism Inability of sourcing news from reliable avenue and Undue interference from government.
RECOMMENDATION
The media, their roles, channels and contents, are considered powerful enough to make this achievement a reality. The Nigerian media have been in the vanguard for the promotion and sustenance of the democracy we now have in the country, even the struggle for independence was pioneered and fought for by the Nigerian media. But a great number of existing media channels in the country need to take up the responsibility of adequately engendering better governance in our democratic polity. As the institution mandated to hold those in governance accountable, the Nigerian media can effectively achieve this if they apply the basic principles of patriotism, accountability, transparency and objectivity in the discharge of their duties as well as uphold the sanctity of truth and fairness at all times. In effect, for the media to contribute to Good Governance, the media must embrace the principles of Good Governance themselves as a critical precondition for effectiveness in the discharging their functions to the Nigerian society. The watchdogs must watch themselves.
REFERENCE
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- Akinfeleye, R. (2003). Fourth Estate of the realm or fourth estate of the wreck? imperative of social responsibility of the press. Lagos: University of Lagos press.
- Andrews, M. (2008). The Good Governance Agenda: Beyond Indicators without Theory. Oxford Development Studies, 36(4): 379-407.
- Bellver, A., & Kaufmann, D. (2005). Transparenting Transparency: Initial Empirics and Policy Applications, World Bank Policy Research Working Paper, (forthcoming) (Washington) http://www.worldbank.org/wbi/ governance
- Booth, D. (2011). ‘Aid, Institutions and Governance: What Have we Learned’. Development Policy Review, 29(s1): s5-s26. European Scientific Journal November 2013 edition vol.9, No.32 ISSN: 1857 – 7881 (Print) e – ISSN 1857- 7431 195
- Doornbos, M. (2001). ‘Good Governance’: The Rise and Decline of a Policy Metaphor? Journal of Development Studies, 37(6), 93-108.
- Dournbos, M. (2003). ‘Good Governance’: The Metamorphosis of a Policy Metaphor. Journal of International affairs, 57(1), 3-17.
