This paper examines the illusion and reality of press freedom in attaining a true democratic system of government in Nigeria. Area of the study was Enugu metropolis which comprises of Enugu North and Enugu South, as area considered one of the nerve centres of intense political activities in Nigeria. Data were collected through questionnaire. Survey method was used for this work. Findings show that the illusion and reality of press freedom in attaining a true democratic system of government in Nigeria is rapid and therefore, the government, media organisations and public must work hand-in-hand so that press freedom will be achieved. The study concludes that if a nation must experience development, it must not adhere to material advancement, threats, restrictions and corruption, instead, it should conform to growth, progress and freedom. Press must therefore be free of all sorts of constraints so that press freedom will be made an absolute reality in Nigeria. Also, the government must make sure that the economy of Nigeria is stable so as to meet up with other developed countries across the world. The government should not dictate for the media what to do and or where to cover events.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page - - - - - - - - - - - -i
Approval Page - - - - - - - - - - -ii
Dedication - - - - - - - - - - -iii
Acknowledgements - - - - - - - - - -iv
Table of contents - - - - - - - - - -vi
Abstract - - - - - - - - - - - -x

CHAPTER ONE
Introduction - - - - - - - - - -
1.1 Background Of The Study - - - - - - -1
1.2 Statement Of The Problem - - - - - - - -11
1.3 Objectives Of The Study- - - - - - - -12
1.4. Research Questions - - - - - - - - -13
1.5 Research Hypotheses- - - - - - - -13
1.6 Significance Of The Study- - - - - - - -14
1.7 Scope Of The Study - - - - - - - - -15
1.8 Definition Of Terms - - - - - - - - -16

CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review - - - - - - - - -17
2.1 Sources Of Literature - - - - - - - -- - - -17
2.1 Review Of Related Literature - - - - - - -17
2.2.1 Concept Of Press Freedom - - - - - - -20
2.2.2 History Of The Press In Nigeria - - - - - -22
2.2.3 The Era Of Missionary Journalism- - - - - -23
2.2.4 The Era Of The Alien Dominated Press - - - - -24
2.2.5 The Indigenous Press. - - - - - - -27
2.2.6 Modern Nigerian Press - - - - - - -28
2.2.7 Press: The Voice Of The Voiceless - - - - -31
2.2.8 Problems Encountered By The Press And The Press Men In Nigeria, Including Press Law/Censorship - - -33
2.2.9 The Roles Of The Press In Nation-Building - - - -35
2.2.10 Benefits Of Media Freedom - - - - - -38
2.2.11 Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) - - - - -39
2.2.12 Exemptions Of Freedom Of Information Act - - - -41
2.3 Theoretical Framework - - - - - - - -42
2.4 Summary Of Literature Review - - - - - - -43

CHAPTER THREE
Research Methodology - - - - - - - - -44
3.1 Research Design - - - - - - - - -44
3.2 Area Of Study - - - - - - - - - -44
3.3 Population Of The Study- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 45
3.4 Research Sampling Technique/Sampling Size - - - -45
3.5 Instrument For Data Collection - - - - - - -45
3.6 Validity Of The Instrument - - - - - - -46
3.7 Method Of Data Collection - - - - - - - -46
3.8 Method Of Data Analysis - - - - - - -47

CHAPTER FOUR
Data Presentation And Analysis - - - - - - - -48
4.1 Data Presentation And Analysis - - - - - - -48
4.2 Hypothesis Testing - - - - - - - - -58
4.3 Discussions Of Findings - - - - - - - -61

CHAPTER FIVE
Summary, Conclusion And Recommendations For Further Studies
5.1 Summary - - - - - - - - - -64
5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - - - -65
5.3 Recommendations For Further Studies - - - - - -65
References - - - - - - - - - - -67
Appendix - - - - - - - - - - - -71