CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE
STUDY
Communication
as known everywhere has developed over a number of centuries. The sophisticated
and complexity which characterized human communication in the modern world are
the result of a very long and sustained effort by human beings to improve on
one of the most fundamental aspects of their existence.
Thus,
referring to this evolution, the McBride commission has noted that, “As the
world has advanced the task of communication has become even more complex, in
explaining this complexity, McBride and his colleagues (McBride et al, 1981,
P.3), have this to say “ throughout history, human beings sought to improve
their ability to receive and assimilate information about their surroundings at
the same time to increase the speed, clarity and variety of their methods for
transmission of information”- quoted in (Okunna, 1994 Page 1-2). Therefore, following the above assertion it
can be submitted that, the origin of the media and its responsibility to
disseminate information, most importantly in Nigeria context dates back to the
era of the early press in the year 1800-1929. It was the very first time
Newspaper emerged in the country in the name of “Iwe Irohin”.
However,
the development of Nigerian press is purely classified into three as follows,
from 1800-1920 (Early press), 1927-1960 (National press), 1960-date (Modern or
Contemporary press). These were viewed as the chronological order of the
evolution of print media.
Thus,
in 1940, the Presbyterian Mission established the first printing school in
Calabar the reason for this, is to increase the literacy level of the people as
of then. And, in 1845, an Anglican Missionary Rev. Henry Townsend, established
another printing press as well as printing school at the mission compound in
Abeokuta. Five years later (1859), Rev. Townsend moved forward to establish the
first newspaper called “Iwe Irohin fun awon era Egba at Yoruba”, Meaning
newspaper for the Egba people and Yoruba. Reverend Townsend’s major aim of
establishing the newspaper was to increase the reading culture of the Egba and
Yoruba people so as to instill literacy desire in them. He also, wanted to
embark on Christian stewardship through impacting education and literacy. Iwe
Irohin also served as a potent political tool against the British government,
thereby informing the mass on the need to know why the British must go.
As the paper was making waves and facing
all sorts of criticism, another paper was also established by the Anglo West
India, Robert Campbell, he follows Iwe Irohin up with Anglo African with the
year 1863. It was printed in Lagos states Campbell’s objective of setting up
the newspaper was to exploit the growing interest in Western Education and
Enlightenment in Lagos state in 1860 by providing cheap and accessible
materials which would educate, inform and entertain its reader. It was the
first paper in the country to present another side of the story as it constituted
on open competitor with Iwe Irohin.
After that, Richard Beale Blaiz
established the Lagos Time and Gold Coast Colony Advertiser in the year
1803-1883. The name of the paper reflected the joint administration of Gold
Coast and Lagos at the time. Thus, newspaper establishment journed through the
time, Zik established the West African Pilot, up till this day. It is important
to note at this juncture that, from the period of the early press and now,
there have been an immense function played by the media in order to restore the
dilapidating and retrogressing state of Nigerian society.
Interestingly,
as the year went by, there was a tremendous dawn in the broadcast media. The
radio and television emerged, thereby making waves in the dissemination of information.
Radio as a means of communication relies on the use of electro-magnetic waves
propagated through space at the speed of light, radio messages were first
received in Nigeria through the empire service of the British Broadcasting
Commission (BBC) in 1932, At this time, Prospective owners of radio had their
transmission through their sets which was wired to the post office. In 1936,
radio transmission was established with the commencement of transmission
through the RDS (i.e. Radio Distribution service) in Lagos. One feature of the
program transmitted at this time was low content of Nigeria or coral
productions.
By
1948, there were ten “Wire” Wireless stations serving about 80,000 subscribers
in the country. This followed until television came to Nigeria for the first
time in 1956. When Queen Elizabeth II came to Nigeria same years, the BBC came
with a large contingent.
The BBC placed TV screens outside the assembly to
enable those outside the gallery of the house to watch what was happening.
Nigeria takes credit as the pacesetter in Africa in regards to television
broadcasting. That notwithstanding, television broadcasting started in Nigeria
as a result of intense political and ethnic rivalry. Account has it that, the
first television in Nigeria was the Western Nigeria television (WNTV); Ibadan,
it is thus readily clear that, the colonial maters did not make much use of
television during their period of rule as television came toward the end of
colonialism in Nigeria. This was in operation when Chief Obafemi Awolowo
established the WNTV. He was said to have has permission for access to the
government owned national broadcasting commission (NBC) so that he would reply
to the allegation of act of perfidy leveled against him by the actual grievance
that eventually gave rise to regional Broadcasting dates back 1953.
From
the year 1953-1960, the Eastern Nigeria television (ENTV) was established, then
in April 1962 the federal government started the Nigeria television service,
channel 10 Lagos, which was headed by T.O.S. Benson. After the civil war in the
country there was significance increase in television broadcasting. Almost all
the twelve states of the federation (as at 1972) had their own TV station. Then
in 1976, the number of stations had risen to nineteen. In 1977, the Nigeria
Television Authority (NTA) was established to function as an independent body.
NTA was given charge over television broadcasting in Nigeria; however, the 1979
constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria later remover the exclusive
power of the NTA in television broadcasting in Nigeria. The constitution rather
allowed for the establishment and operation of broadcasting and stations by
different state governments, organization or individual subject to the
president’s permission (Okunna 1993, page 55).
At
this point, it can be submitted that right from the first day the mass media
emerged in Nigeria starting with the print media; the media have been playing
the watch dog role in the society, performing a number of functions which benefit
the individual as a member of the society. These range from “serious”
information and educational functions to “higher” functions like entertainment,
information, dissemination, education, advertising, socialization, promotion of
culture, motivation, mobilization, integration. They also play the role of
agenda setting based on issues that are controversial in nature, here the mass
media set the political agenda for the society by deciding what political
topics people talk about etc.
NTA as one of the media organization has of the
mass media to the audience, e.g. election, child abuse, Kidnapping, issue of
flooding, crime, war, fire disaster, conflict, fuel subsidy etc; also print
media e.g. Newspaper, magazine, Journals, books are not left out.
But
suffice it to say that, there are some challenges on the part of the media in
using all these channels listed above to send information, thus making the
actualization of the noble dream stressful, even NTA a government owned channel
has its own shortcomings in the area of playing its roles effectively. Albert,
it has been enslaved to the whims and caprices of the political leaders and the
government.
Another
challenge that weakens the power of Nigeria television Authority (NTA) and
other media organization is poor infrastructural facilities. As sobowale (1989:
page 304) quoted in Okunna (1994. P. 36) has observed with reference to
Nigeria, such basic infrastructural facilities as roads and transport system
are in an abysmal state of development; and this limits the work are the media
practitioners in gathering information. One can also consider the state of
technological expansion and advance in communication technology, with this
media have found it difficult to work effectively.
In conclusion, it
is submitted with respect that Nigeria television Authority (NTA) has been
disseminating information to the masses. But, at the same time has in one way
or the other demonstrated the challenges facing its discharge of duties.
Despite all odds, this research study will definitely bring changes.
1.2 STATEMENT OF
RESEARCH PROBLEMS:
Despite
all efforts made by the media to tackle the challenges facing them, especially
during military government era, there are still Kinds of other problems which
constitute threat to the power of disseminating information to the masses.
Indeed, it seems as if to say that much has been not achieved in the area of
their performance.
For this reason, this research seeks to
expose the extent the Nigeria media, NTA in particular is tackling the challenges
and the extent they have gone in keeping the masses informed on the day to day
events.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE
STUDY
The
research work tends to know
1.
If
political interest or sentiment imposes serious threat to effective
disseminating information on media?
2.
If
economic factor takes precedence in the coverage of program by media?
3.
If
technology factor restricts media from disseminating information to its target
audience.
4. If
the level of literacy of the audience help media in gathering and reporting
issues of the day.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF
THE STUDY
One
of the basic functions of the media is to provide the society with information
based on accuracy, facts, truth, and objectivity and to uplift our cultural
heritage. The task of the researcher is to find out the challenges facing the
media most especially in the developing countries like Nigeria.
This
study will serve as a basic for carrying out further research and evaluation of
how the challenges in the media can be faced bearing in mind that, what is
obtainable in NTA station will also be applicable in other media stations in
the country. Therefore, there is hope that the finding posted in the work will
be beneficial to other students and researchers attempting to research on a
similar project.
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- What is the nature
of challenges facing the media in information dissemination?
- Do the media have
sufficient freedom needed for their operational efficiency?
- Do the media work
enough in reporting issues in high places of government administration?
- What is the
possible measures that should be used to enhance operation of the media.
1.6 RESEARCH
HYPOTHESES
1. H0 There are no serious challenges facing the
media in information dissemination.
H1 There are serious challenges facing the media information dissemination.
2. H0 The media do not have sufficient freedom
needed for
their operational efficiency.
H1 The media have sufficient freedom needed for their Operational efficiency.
3. H0 The media do not work enough in reporting
issues in high places of government administration.
H1 The media work enough in reporting issues in high places of government administration.
4. H0: There are no possible measures to be used
to enhance operation of the media.
H1 There are possible measures to be used to enhance operation of the media.
1.7 THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK
This
research study will be based on one of the theories of the press which is
libertarian theory. The reason why it is suitable for the study is that, the
theory is concerned on the perception for freedom of the press; liberal
philosophers like John start mill, Milton greatly advance the advocacy for
press freedom (Okoro, et al 2003, p.21).
In
the main, libertarian theory prescribes that; an individual should be free to
hold and express opinion freely and publish same. The theory does not see need
for censorship since it acknowledge the great potentials of human as rational
being who can distinguish between truth and falsehood, it further believes in
the “self brightening process of the free market place of idea”, where good ideas
will eventually eliminate the bad ones if all were granted free expression.
Therefore,
the researcher used the theory to back up the media especially the media in
Nigeria
1.8 SCOPE OF THE
STUDY:
The
scope of the study is covered within Nigeria television Authority (NTA).
1.9 LIMITATION OF
STUDY:
The
researcher chooses to limit the sample population to students and civil
servants who watch television programmes drawn from Enugu Network station,
because majority of the government owned media like NTA are situated in the
state. The students of the institute of management and technology (IMT), Enugu
and the students of Enugu state university of science and technology (ESUT),
also some students from other higher institutions were included; secondary
school students were taken into account, because they are greatly influenced by
what they watch.
Also,
the sample of civil servants was drawn from both the federal and state civil
services.
1.10 DEFINITION OF TERMS:
Operational
Definition of Terms.
-
Challenges: It means the
hindrances or constrains which make the media not to execute their duties
effectively and efficiently.
- Media; In this research study, the media simple
means those medium or channel via messages or information are passed across
from the source to the heterogeneous audience e.g. Nigeria Television Authority
(NTA), Enugu state Broadcasting services (ESBS), Federal Radio commission of
Nigeria (FRCN) etc. for print media we have newspaper, magazines like the
Guardian, Daily Sun, Tell, Punch etc.
-
Dissemination; In this research,
it means a way by which the media carry out their social responsibility in
order to tell their audience what is happening within and outside their
society.
- Information; Programmes of the
media which are used to educate, entertain, mobilize, sensitize, inform and
socialize the masses concerning everyday activities within and outside the
society.
