The Role of Mass Media in Democratic Governance
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
This study’s general objective is to examine the mass media’s role in democratic governance.
The specific objectives of this study are:
- To ascertain the equal media coverage given to candidates by political parties.
- To ascertain the significant relationship between mass media & electioneering campaigns.
- To ascertain the significant level of mobilization of mass media towards elections.
- To determine the significant role mass media plays in democratic governance in Nigeria.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
BRIEF ON NIGERIA’S DEMOCRATIC EXPERIENCE
On May 29, 2010, Nigeria commemorated 11 years of uninterrupted democratic government, that is, the period between 1999 and 2010. This is out of a national life span of about 50 years. (Adekola, 2010). It’ has been a troubled democratic experience for the nation since the first experiment in democratic governance in 1960. Military interregnum had aborted attempts at democratic governance in 1966, 1983, 1993. The interjections notwithstanding, uninterrupted democratic governance in Nigeria today has run for about 15 years. The brief above rests on the premise that the meaning and significance of the term democracy are all too obvious. Experience worldwide, especially in developing countries of Africa, Nigeria inclusive, has proven and continues to prove that such assumption is not only dangerous, but may also hamper the growth of democracy in the nation. This conclusion is vitiated by the carrying one by our political leaders and political public office holders whose utterances and actions are a great assault on the basic tenets of democracy, which is “representativeness”. In this light therefore, it serves good purpose to remind ourselves even as media professionals of what democracy really means. Though frequently talked about and having being in practice since the 17″ century in parts of Europe. The term ‘democracy’ does not have a single universal definition even among scholars. Ranney, cited in Felix (2005), defines democracy as “A form of government organized in accordance with the principles of popular sovereignty, popular consultation, political and economic equality and majority rule.” This is achieved through institutionalization of electoral processed principles of popular sovereignty, popular consultation, political and economic equality and majority rule.” This is achieved through institutionalization of an electoral process.
DEMOCRATIC MANDATE OF THE MEDIA
To speak of the mandate of the media in a democracy is to assign a constitutional role for it. It is indeed to proceed on the assumption that the media is a constitutional instrument or phenomenon. Though, it is rarely mentioned unlike the Executive, legislature and judiciary, the philosophy of modern governance and especially of modern democracy conceives the media as a monumental force and as an institution similar to the tiers of government and to the arms of constitutional government. In the Nigerian Experience, the media was mentioned only in section 22 of the 1999 constitution as part of the fundamental objective and directive principles of the state policy. The obligation of the media as indicated that section equally endows it with the duty not only to discharge its normal watchdog role in all aspects of governance and in guarding and advancing the frontiers of the people’s liberties and freedom but also the obligation to regard itself as “the policing institution over the fundamental objectiveness and Direct principles of state policy as well as the citizens’ fundamental Rights”. The fact that the constitution imposes a duty on the media to monitor governance implies that it should undertake vigilance over the relationship between the people and the government. How the media discharges these grave responsibilities which involve unfettered access to information is an interesting subject matter that should engage not only the media itself but also indeed, all civil society actors, both domestic and international. The point is that the media has a constitutional mandate in the advancement of the political and democratic process. It is equally true that the nature and character of the democratic process greatly impacts upon the performance of the media. It is in this sense that the nature and character of military regime can affect tremendously the performance of the media just as the nature and character of a democratic regime can do the same. Consequently, until it is fully researched and analyzed, it is not enough to proclaim that democracy necessarily provides a much healthier environment for the media or that a military regime necessarily undermines or stifles the fundamental performance of the media. Weather in a military rule or a democratic regime, the media suffers a huge array of poverty and disabilities, the elements of which include the political and business interest of its ownership or proprietors, the extent of limitation of patronage and manipulation of market forces, location and cultural preferences, values of the target or readership audience, the work conditions and salary of journalists, and the staff of the industry all of which affect performance of the media in its relationship to the democratic process.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to the role of mass media in democratic governance
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information the role of mass media in democratic governance. 200 residents of Abagana, Awka and Onitsha in Anambra state was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the role of mass media in democratic governance. 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 the challenges of the role of mass media in democratic governance
Summary
This study was on the role of mass media in democratic governance. Four objectives were raised which included: To ascertain the level of equal media coverage given to political parties to candidates, to ascertain the significant relationship between mass media & electioneering campaign, to ascertain the significant level of mobilization of mass media towards elections, to determine the significant role mass media plays towards the democratic governance in Nigeria. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 residents of Abagana, Awka and Onitsha in Anambra state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made public servants, business men, elderly men and youths were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
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. 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.
Recommendation
- Political leaders in Nigeria should immediately “prune” their salaries and allowances which are considered as the highest in the world. At the moment the high financial position of members of the political class makes them emphasize the gains rather than the services to the people.
- Nigeria should return to the path of meritocracy which will give every citizen the confidence to transparently compete for any opportunity. The current practice where „federal character‟ (read ethnicity or tribalism) is a major mode of distributing resources through appointments, promotions, etc. is not efficient and fair, rather it promotes mediocrity which does not put the country in a competitive position. It is like going for a football tournament with a „fifth eleven‟ because of ethnic consideration. The outcome is obvious.
- Corruption remains a major problem in Nigeria because the system encourages it but as president Mohammadu Buhari is quoted to have said during his electioneering campaign, “If Nigeria does not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.” However, he does not seem to be going about it the right way. He might wish to embrace a more transparent and creditable fight against the monster of corruption.
- The mass media institution in the country should be strengthened and encouraged to carry out its constitutional responsibility to the society. This is because of the importance of information in a democracy. No doubt, a well informed citizenry is a big advantage in a democratic setting.
- There is need to address the high level of social inequality in Nigeria because of its many problems such as increase in crime rate and criminal behavior by persons seeking to redistribute wealth by all means possible.
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