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PROBLEMS AND PROSPECT OF ONLINE INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM IN MASS MEDIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The media are the bridge between the government and the governed as well as the mouthpiece of the society A basic duty of the media professionals in every society is to be a civic watchdog whose mission is to uncover secrets / issues and keep the government accountable to society. As observed by Itule & Anderson (2007:397), to achieve this often demands investigation and in-depth work which requires researching, digging deeply, interviewing and writing. As the name implies, "investigative journalists are those that unearth significant information about matters of public importance through the use of non-routine information gathering methods" (Agba, P. C: 2000). Agba said that most day to investigation requires day reporting involves investigation, but that the true an extra-ordinary expenditure of time and resources. Similarly, Robert Greene, the former assistant managing editor of the U.S-based NEWSDAY asserts that investigative reporting is the reporting (primarily) through one's own work, product and initiative, matters of importance which some persons or organizations wish to keep secret. The three basic elements are that the investigation be the work of the reporter, not a report of an investigation made by someone else; that the subject of the story involves something of reasonable importance to the reader or viewer, and that others are attempting to hide these matters from the public. This specialized type of reporting (or journalism) also has the additional element of exposing wrong-doing. of uncovering violations of law, regulations, codes of standards, or even commonsense or decency. The focus is not only on institutional wrongs but also on the persons who commit the wrongs. It must start with a reason to believe that something is wrong, that someone has done something wrong (Ullilian: 19952). However, the origin of this type of reporting is not yet town, but it is said to have evolved from interpretative reporting which came in the wake of the invention of the electronic media to fill the yawning gap between the print and the broadcast media.  Relatively new as the term is, investigative journalism has through the decade metamorphosed into a formidable tool for critically and thoroughly exposing facts and secrets which governments, institutions, organizations or individuals would naturally try to obscure from the public. It must be noted that fact-finding and fact-giving are some of the basic goals of journalism. Hence, it is necessary to determine any doubtful issue and that must be made public too. However, Ugwu, (2010) observes that investigative journalism in a developing nation like Nigeria is threatened with numerous challenges which are almost crippling its proper practice, its prospects notwithstanding

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

There are claims that investigative journalism has been in the decline since its hay days in the 1970s, and many investigations are now more concerned with entertainment than information (Harcup,2009:110). However, investigative journalism as practiced in Nigeria is ineffective as it is constrained by several problems despite its bright prospects. More often than not, journalists publish half truth, distorted stories and outright falsehood without in-depth investigation, thereby making rumours, unsubstantiated claims and emotions the bedrock of information gathering. On this background the researcher wants to investigate the problem and prospect of investigative journalism in mass media.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The objectives of the study are;

1.   To ascertain the level of investigative journalism practice in mass media

2.   To determine the challenges facing investigative journalism in mass media

3.   To ascertain the prospect of investigative journalism in mass media

4.   To ascertain whether investigative journalism is practice in mass media

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher; 

H0:   there are no challenges facing investigative journalism in mass media

H1: there are challenges facing investigative journalism in mass media

H02: there is no prospect of investigative journalism in mass media

H2: there is prospect of investigative journalism in mass media

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will give clear insight on problems and prospect of investigative journalism in mass media. The study will be beneficial to mass media, students and the general public. The study will serve as reference to other researchers that want to embark on this topic.

1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study covers problems and prospect of investigative journalism in mass media. The researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope of the study;

 a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study 

b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.

c) Organizational privacy: Limited Access to the selected auditing firm makes it difficult to get all the necessary and required information concerning the activities  

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

PROBLEM: A matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome

PROSPECT:  (sometimes pl) a probability or chance for future success, esp as based on present work or aptitude: a good job with prospects. A vision of the future; what is foreseen; expectation: she was excited at the prospect of living in London, unemployment presents a grim prospect.

INVESTIGATION: The action of investigating something or someone; formal or systematic examination or research.

INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM: Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, such as serious crimes, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years researching and preparing a report.

MASS MEDIA: The mass media is a diversified collection of media technologies that reach a large audience via mass communication. The technologies through which this communication takes place include a variety of outlets.

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