ABSTRACT

In Nigeria, a significant number of intellectuals, journalists, and businesspeople believe that government should not interfere with ownership and control of the mass media. The important point implicit in this viewpoint is the assumption that the pattern of ownership of the mass media is crucial in determining the strength or weakness of the press. This study surveys the constraints on journalistic practice in government- owned media in the south-south  geo-political zone of Nigeria. "Government-owned media,"  as used in  this study, refers to newspapers in the six states that make up the geo-political zone which could be used to generalize to other government owned newspapers in Nigeria owning to the fact that   they   operate   in   the   same   economy.   Discussion   of   background   issues   covers constitutional and legal provisions and government ownership of media. Strictly speaking, there are two main categories of the press in Nigeria: the government-owned press and the privately   owned   press.   The   establishment   of   daily   newspapers   by   newly   created   states accounted for the relatively spectacular increase in government ownership since 1960. The decision to compete with private entrepreneurs is not a sound one, notwithstanding the argument for government ownership in Nigeria at this time. The lesson of history is that such ownership is incompatible with a democratic way of life in a society having a free enterprise economy. Also such ownership rarely if ever lasts unless the government intends to use methods which seriously detract from democratic principles to sustain its media outlets regardless of their performance and level of success or failure. It would be in the interest   of   the   Nigerian   press,   governments,   public   and   national   development,   for   the governments   to   leave   the   field   of   daily   and   weekly   newspaper   publishing   to   private enterprise and concentrate their efforts in radio and television broadcasting.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page……………………………………………………………..……..…..……. i

Certification ……………………………………………….…………...….…..….…..ii

Dedication ……………………………………………………………....…….……...iii

Acknowledgements...…………………………………………...…………...…...…..iv

List of tables………………………………………………………………..................v

Table of contents………………………………………………..…………….….…..vi

Abstract ………………………………………………….………………...…..........viii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the study -- - - - - - 1

1.2 Statement of the problem-- - - - - - 5

1.3 Objectives of the study - - -- - 7

1.4 Significance of the study - - -- - - 7

1.5 Research questions - - - - - - 8

1.6 Theoretical framework - - - - - - 9

1.6.1 Authoritarian theory -- - - - -- -9

1.6.2   Benevolent-Authoritarian or Conservative Development Journalism-10

1.7 Scope of study - --11

1.8 Limitation of the study -- - - - --12

1.9 Definition of terms -- - - - --12

References - -- - - - --14

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction - -15

2.1 Overview of Government Ownership of the Media - - ---15

2.2 Factors Militating Against the Efficient and Effective Performance of the

Government Owned Media - - - --23

2.3 Legal Constraints on Journalistic Practice in Nigeria - - ---26

2.4 Controversies on the Best Form of Media Ownership - - --29

2.5 The Impact of Editorial Policies on the Mass Media - - --31

2.6 Nigerian Press and the Quest for Professionalism - - --33

2.7 Political Instability -- - - - --37

2.8 Media Ownership and its Consequences on media practices - --38

2.9 Summary of Literature Review - - - - - - -41

References - - - - -- - - - -43

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research design - - - - - - - -- -47

3.2 Description of the research population - - - - - -47

3.3 Sampling techniques - - - - - - - -47

3.4 Sample size - - - - - - - - -47

3.5 Instrument for data collection - - - - - - -48

3.6 Validity of research instrument - - - - - - -48

3.7 Reliability of the instrument - - - - - - -49

3.8 Procedure for data collection - - - - - - -49

3.9 Method of analysis and presentation of data - - - - -49

References - - - - - - - - -50

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Introduction - - - - - - - - -51

4.2 Data Presentation and Analysis - - - - - - -51

4.3 Presentation & Analysis of Psychographic Data Collected -- - -56

4.4 Discussion of findings/answers to research questions - - - -63

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Preamble - - - - - -- - - -66

5.2 Summary of findings - - - - - - - -67

5.3 Conclusion - - - - - - - -- -67

5.4 Recommendations - - - - - - - -68

5.5 Suggestion for further research - - - - - -- -69

Bibliography - - - - - - - - -70

Appendix - -