Fake News and Whistle Blowing Policy: Public Assessment of the Impact on Media Credibility
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The Main Objective of the study is to appraise fake news and whistle blowing policy; Public assessment of the impact on media credibility. The specific objectives include:
- To find out the prevalence of fake news and whistle blowing on social media.
- To investigate the impacts of fake news and whistle blowing policies on media credibility
- To identify the possible solutions to the problem of fake news in Nigerian media.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED AND RELEVANT LITERATURE
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Concept of Whistle Blowing
Oyebade (2016) opined that it is very glaring that the culture of whistle blowing has been accepted and recognized universally as one of the tools to promote good governance and combat corruption. The old and harsh common law principles of employees ‘duty of loyalty and confidentially are gradually fading for a more responsible culture of raising concern against illegalities affecting the people. Asian Institute of Management (2006) as quoted by Oyebade(2016) Whistle blowing is defined as the reporting of a wrong doing that needs to be corrected or terminated in order to protect public interest. That is the process by which persons raise reservations at work.
Ogunkeye (2016) captured it as the disclosure by a person, usually an employee in a government agency or private enterprise to the public or those in authority, of mismanagement, corruption, illegality or some other wrongdoing. Explicitly, whistle blowing has to do with calling attention to the wrongdoing that is being perpetrated within an organization or a society with the intention of protecting and/or preserving public interest. It could be done by contractors, employees, clients, suppliers, or anybody who gets to know of certain activities which are detrimental to public good or the economic or social interest of the organization or private business.
The dictionary describes a ―whistle-blower as ―someone who blows the whistle on someone or something. It goes to interpret ―blow the whistle‖ as ―to expose or give information to the authorities about illegal or underhand practices. It is clear that these words or phrases are descriptive of a process where someone gives information to the authorities about illegal practices or wrongdoings.
That was why Anumaka (2016) stated that it is obvious that giving information to those in authority is one of the expected functions of every good citizen. Giving information to expose wrongdoings or acts of corruption is a basic civic responsibility. Since the 1960s, the public value of whistle-blowing has been increasingly recognised. For example, Federal and State Statutes and Regulations have been enacted in countries like the United States of America to protect whistle-blowers from various forms of discrimination and also to provide firm disciplinary actions against offenders. Many countries such as the United States of America, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, France, Russia, Indonesia, South Africa, and Uganda among others have enacted whistleblower statutes, but these statutes vary widely in content.
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.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine fake news and whistle blowing policy: public assessment on the impact of media credibility. Selected residents in Lagos state form the population of the study.
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 eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain fake news and whistle blowing policy: the assessment on the impact of media credibility. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing fake news and whistle blowing policy: the assessment on the impact of media credibility
Summary
This study was on fake news and whistle blowing policy: the assessment on the impact of media credibility. Three objectives were raised which included: To find out the prevalence of fake news and whistle blowing on social media, to investigate the impacts of fake news and whistle blowing policies on media credibility and to identify the possible solutions to the problem of fake news in Nigerian media. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected residents in Lagos state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
There is no doubt that whistle blowing bill is a vital tool in the fight against financial and economic crimes in their various forms. However, there are situations that could dissuade a prospective whistle blower from disc. Probable challenges facing the whistle blowing bill which could tend to deter prospective whistle blowers include fear of retaliation against the whistleblowers, and possible litigation on defamation against the whistle blower.
The media could also play important roles to have a check on corrupt practices by creating awareness of information about unethical, illegal activities of government as well as creating strong allies with external communication media could bring about good governance. Therefore, the study adjudicated that, legal protection of the blower and compensation duly paid could provide solution to the whistle blowing bill thereby enthroning transparency in governance
Recommendation
- The National Assembly should strengthen the whistle blowing bill by facilitating the protection of the whistle blower’s identity while the Federal Ministry of Finance should ensure prompt payment of rewards to the whistle blower.
- Regulatory agencies for the media in Nigeria such as the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and Nigerian Guild of Editors amongst others should collectively promote the enthronement of tree, fair, unbiased and balanced reportage of fraudulent practices.
- The Media in Nigeria should collaborate with Civil Society Organisations monitoring and facilitating the proper application of the provisions of the Whistle Blowing Act (if eventually passed into Law by the National Assembly).
References
- Adams, T. (2006). The whistleblower protection Act: An overview. Retrieved from http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL34919.
- Adekunle, I. (2017).The transition of corruption: from poverty to honesty, Jos: University Press Jos.
- Akanbi, M. (2002).Corruption as an obstacle to good governance in Nigeria. The Nigerian Bar Journal, l 1 (3), 19-25.
- AlarapeIsma’il, Types of research design: Defence data sources, methods and problems, MSS 703 of the University of Ibadan.
- Amadi, F.A. (2017).Silenced qualitative communications/social research methodologies. Port Harcourt: Geocelia Integrated Services Ltd.
- Amold, A. K. & Lal, S. (2012). Using media to fight corruption: Engaging citizens against corruption in Asia: Approaches, Results and lessons. New Delhi, India PTF working paper series.
- Anderson, T. B. (2009). Government as an anti-corruption strategy across countries USA New York: Journal of Information Economies, 21, 201-210.
- Anja, P. J. (2013). Common goods and evils, the formation of global crime governance. London: Oxford University Press.
- Anyanwu, A. (2000). Research methodology in business and social science. Owerri: Canon Publishers.
- Babbie, E.(2010). The practice of social research. California: Wordsworth Publishing Company.
- Bello-Imam, U. (2005). Corruption and national development in democratic governance and development management in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic Bello-Imam, and Obadan (Eds). Ibadan, Nigeria: Centre for Local Governance and Rural development studies.
- Bolsin, T. (2005).The whistle blowers and integrity. Washington D.C: Printing Press.
