The Media and the Challenges of Democratic Governance in Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the Study
The broad objective of this study is to analyze the role of the media and the challenges of democratic governance in Nigeria. Other specific objectives include:
- To examine the roles that the Nigerian media has been playing in consolidating democracy in the country.
- To explore the relationship between the media and democratic governance in Nigeria.
- To also examine the challenges faced by the media in enthroning democratic governance in Nigeria.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Literature review is a well-integrated discussion and critical evaluation of different scholarly viewpoints on a given research problem as found in the previous relevant studies highlighting their strengths, weakness and indicating how a given study, for example this one will make contribution to the existing body of knowledge. A well-structured literature review is characterized by a logical flow of ideas, current and relevant references with consistent, appropriate referencing style, and proper use of terminology or terms and an unbiased and comprehensive view of the previous research or studies on the research topic.
Democracy
The concept of democracy has become a popular concept in every contemporary discourse. Now a word resonates in people’s minds and springs from their lips as they struggle for freedom and better conditions of service. In its Greek understanding, the word “democracy” has a remote origin from the word demokratia (demos – the people, plus kratia (from kartos) – sway, authority) meaning the rule by the people. The impression this conveys is that it is a form of government where the people directly takes decisions by themselves without representation as we presently have today in most states of the world (Aguda: n.d :17 cited in Ezonbi & Jonah, 2013).
Democracy is adjudged as the most popular system of government in the world. It is popularly seen as the government of the people, by the people and for the people. As a concept, according to Obasanjo and Mabgunje (1992) cited in Ogah & Ogeyni (2014:55), democracy as an ideology is the philosophy of governance which sets a high premium on the basic freedom or fundamental human rights of the citizens, rule of law, the right to property, the free flow of information and the right of choice between alternative political positions. Simply put, democracy is that system of politics in which sovereignty is vested on the people rather than in a small clique or an oligarchy, where the rule of law, majority rule and constitutionalism are basic guiding principles of governance. It is in this context that Ramaswamy (2007:377) posited that democracy means the rule by the people as contrasted with the rule by one person or a group. He went further to say that, it is the people who are both rulers and rule unlike other systems like monarchy, dictatorship or oligarchy where a distinction between the ruler and the ruled exists. But a cursory examination of the scenario in Nigeria negates this basic ingredient of democracy. In the context of Nigeria, instead of majority having their way in the process of governance, a few cabals have hijacked the state of affairs in the state. And any attempt to challenge the powers that be would amount to the brutal maltreatment of the fundamental rights of the innocent and suffering masses.
Democratic Governance
The increasing priority accorded the concept of democratic Governance in international discourses, on politics and development across the globe has resulted in constant definitions and redefinitions as to what really constitutes democratic Governance (Doornbos, 2003; Suchitra, 2004; Gisselguist, 2012). Looking at various literature on democratic Governance, we could identify three strands of argument:
- Proponents of the democratic Governance agenda that sees it as a worthy goal and a means through which to impact economic growth and development. Their argument is aptly captured in this long quotation:
In poorly governed countries, it is argued, corrupt bureaucrats and politicians baldly hinder development efforts by stealing aid contributions or misdirecting them into unproductive activities. Less obvious but equally pernicious, governments that are not accountable to their citizens and with inefficient bureaucracies and weak institutions are unwilling or unable to formulate and implement pro-growth and pro-poor policies (Gisseltquirt, 2012, p.1).
On the other hand, the opponents who raise strong challenges argue the following points:
- a) Use of Good Governance criteria in the allocation of foreign aids effectively introduces political conditionalities and imposes Western liberal models of democracy (Nanda, 2006; NEPAD, 2007:3).
- b) Good Governance agenda is a poor guide for development policy. It is unrealistically long and not attuned to issues of sequencing and historical developments (Grindle, 2004; Booths, 2011)
- c) Good Governance ignores institutional variations across well governed states (Pitchett, 2004, Andrews, 2008).
The third stream of research raises questions about the causal effect of the quality of governance on various outcomes especially economic growth (Kurtz & Schrank, 2007a, 2007b; Khan, 2009). It is instructive to point out that current body of literature (Gerring 2001; Goertz,2005; Keefer,2009; Shirley,2010;Gisselquirt,201) have argued that democratic governance is a poorly defined concept and that future research should rather focus on the disaggregated components of democratic governance. This in part informs the structure of the discourse of this work. A critical consideration of the conceived differences surrounding the concept goes to point out the increased significance attached to the concept in recent times and also underscores the utility of the democratic governance components in development index across the nations and in the aggregate well being of democratic governance of a country.
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.
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 the media and challenges of democratic governance in Nigeria. 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 an the media and challenges of democratic governance in Nigeria
Summary
This study was on the media and challenges of democratic governance in Nigeria. Three objectives were raised which included: To examine the roles that the Nigerian media has been playing in consolidating democracy in the country, to explore the relationship between the media and democratic governance in Nigeria and to also examine the challenges faced by the media in enthroning democratic governance in Nigeria. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected politicains in Lagos state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
In this study, it is argued that the relationship between the media and the democratic processes in Nigeria is neither wholesome nor holistic. This is, however, a matter neither of normative or ideological configuration nor of conspiracy or scheming by any ethnic nationality. Nevertheless, there is no doubt as to the critical role of the media in sustaining Nigerian democracy
Recommendation
Credible feedback mechanisms and standard public-opinion monitoring systems should be institutionalized to properly inform, educate and guide media programming patterns and contents. Many of the broadcast stations may be reformed out of business. A media house is a change agent whose management dynamic in-flow of innovation, creativity, drive and energy to keep pace with contemporary democratic challenges in the society.
- Planning, organizing and managing of the media in consonance with the peculiar needs, aspirations and, cooperate existence of Nigeria as a country should be the beacon light of our media practice.
- Proper training will imbue the media practitioners with the moral courage that will enable them to persist without fear of danger or intimidation in pursuing that which they believe to be the best in the public interest. Thus, they can then be able to withstand assaults of manipulation from the authorities without compromising their principles.
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