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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background of the Study
In modern day government arrangement especially in democratic politics
such as India, the United States of America, South Africa, Nigeria,
Australia, among others, there exist three
arms of government namely the executive, the legislature and the judiciary with
the media being the fourth as it is an institution that checkmates the excesses
of the other three arms. Perhaps, this why Anegbode and Azelama (2003), with
particular reference to Nigeria, contend that: The press remains the fourth
estate of the realm, the watchdog and the conscience of the nation. It is the
organ that informs the public about the activities of the executive, the
legislature and the judiciary.
The canine metaphor of the media as a
watchdog is an indication of its watchful role in any government.
Interestingly, the media do not only serve as a watchdog but guides the
government towards change. Information is the basis of effecting change as well
as tackling the consequence of change. The information needed to run an open
and successful government is, to a large extent, provided by the media. The
information disseminating role of this “estate” is a veritable tool for change.
Adeyemi (2006) says that “throughout the history of mankind, the press has
always occupied the fore-front of sociopolitical and economic changes”. From
the foregoing, we can safely say that the media’s role in the running of the
affairs of a government is that which cannot be relegated. Thomas Jefferson, a
former United States of America (USA) president once said in one of his many
speeches on the importance of the media that if he were made to choose between
a government without a press or a press
without government, he would not hesitate to choose the latter (quoted in Tell
Magazine Editorial July 15, 2005).
1.2 Purpose Of The Study
Within this context, the purpose of this
paper is to examine the role the media have played and continue to play in the
socio-political and socio-economic reengineering of structures in a country
faced with enormous problems which militate against its optimal performance as
an emergent democracy.
1.3 Significance
of the Study
1.
It
will enable the government and policy makers to put adequate measures in place
to check the movement of of the media and watchdog role in Nigeria.
2.
It
will help remove the idea of imitating the importance of Media in Politics and
democracy.
3.
The
conduct of this research will enable the government to know what role the media
can play in the development of a country and therefore, harness the mass media
especially Tv in the democratic process and development process in general
4.
The
research will help in possible dilution, domination and finally absorption of
the African/Nigerian culture which until the present has been characterized
with good neighbourliness, respect for elders, virtuousness, community
orientation and collectivism.
1.4 Research Questions
The
research questions are arranged questions meant to be asked by the researcher
and receives a feedback (answer) from a respondent. For a researcher to achieve
her aim, the following question should be used.
1. Do
Nigerian Media have any effect in watching the activities of government and
politicians?
2. What
roles does the Mass media plays in the election process to ensure transparency
and accountability?
3. What
role does the media play in the delivery and consolidation of democracy?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
1. Hi: The media plays a vital role in ensuring transparency
and
accountability in Nigeria
Ho:
The media does not play a vital role in ensuring transparency and
accountability in Nigeria
2.
Hi:
The Nigeria government create a suitable environment for effective media
coverage of human and election issues
Ho:
The Nigeria government creates a suitable environment for
effective media coverage of human and election issues
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