THE PERCEPTION OF PRESS FREEDOM IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF OWERRI METRO POLIS)
ABSTRACT
This paper examines the perception of press freedom in Nigeria (a case study of Owerri metropolis). Data were collected through questionnaire and interviews with staff of Hot FM 99.5. Survey method was used for this work. Findings show that 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.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
Nigeria is becoming an increasingly dangerous place for journalists to do their jobs. Journalists in Nigeria face major risks as a result of their work, threats, surveillance, attacks, and even forced disappearance, arrest are too often the cost of reporting the truth.
According to Ben Arogundade (2012), opines that government attempt not only to control but to subjugate the press through obnoxious laws had been an enduring problem of Nigeria press. The press has been striving to wriggle itself out of these unfavourable laws, but the government believes that giving the press the freedom to operate as an independent entity may be suicidal.
Usually, government feels that it is logical to restrain the power of the press and if possible have a total control of the press. To government, the press is an instrument of people in power and should yield itself to their dictates. But the press fights fiercely to resist this obsequious stance, government wants to subject it to because the press belief that they are to serve as watchdog on government and not to be used as government extension of ministry of information or for propaganda tool. This gives rise to clashes between the press and the government. While government uses its authority to subjugate the press, the press resists by remaining ten anxious in its fights for freedom.
Government’s truculent reaction to the freedom of the press report the affairs of government to the public shows that the government always has skeletons in its cupboard and therefore, would never entertain the prolonged glimpse of the press. The aim of the government to lord over the press is not peculiar to Nigeria alone, not to the third world countries but to the entire world except the USA that said it clear in its contribution that “congress shall make no law that will abridge the freedom of press and expression” (Marzolf, 2010).
Similarly, Young Ekuico (2011), “added throughout the centuries, and in every country, the media have been subjected to both harassment and manipulation”.From the colonial era to Nigeria’s independence and to military and civilian regimes, the press has struggled to exist amidst diverse suppressive laws, ordinances, acts and decrees enacted and promulgated at one time or another by different governments. Today, the Nigerian press exists in a very tenuous position. In the words of Enonche (2012,) “the myriad of complaints by the press have taken on deaf ears of government whose alert and watchful eyes are permanently directed on what the press published with eager hands to censor and equal hostility to attack and arrest the reporters”. The present democratic environment has not fully guaranteed a conducive operational atmosphere for journalists in the country. Even the democratic government of Olusegun Obasanjo since inception has, indeed been characterized by pockets of attach on the press similar to what was obtainable during the military era.
However, since the time of colonial masters, journalists and freedom fighters have been clamoring for press freedom which were freedom which were not full given like they are enjoying in united states of American. In fact the nation’s 1999 constitution that was expected to provide this freedom was just the replica of the 1979 constitution where the freedom was just give and take going by the section 22 of chapter 2 of the 1999 constitution states that “mass media shall at all time be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contain in this chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the public’.
The constitution give the press a constitutional duty but failed to empower them by law until the recent May 27, 2011 to be précised when nor president finally give assent to a new freedom of information bill that had been unanimously scrutinized by the two chambers i.e. House of Representatives and senate House with a title an act to make public records and information more freely available, provide for public records and information, project public records and information to the extent consistent with the public interest and the protection of personal privacy.
This study intends to examine the perception of press freedom in Nigeria (a case study of Owerri metropolis).
1.2 Statement of Problem
Media right are under pressure. An immediate consequence of greater authoritarian rule is the obstruction of press freedom and the freedom to access information. Media regulations become tougher and journalists who are not in line with mainstream elites become more and more endangered and face possible censorship and intimidation and even arbitrary arrest and torture.
This study will also access the level of freedom enjoyed by the press in Nigeria especially how freedom of information has been a place for journalists in the discharge of their duties.
1.3 Objectives of Study
The study seeks to:
- Examine the level of awareness among Nigerians on the Press freedom in Nigeria.
- Ascertain the seeming challenges if any constraining press freedom in Nigeria.
1.4 Research Questions
- What is the level of awareness among Nigerians on Press freedom in Nigeria?
- What are the seeming impediments of press freedom in Nigeria ?
1.5 Significance of the Study
The study should significantly achieve the following:
- The study should provide effective and objective information in gathering its dissemination by the media organization.
- It will serve as a reference to managers, editors and students alike especially in such an area of study that cut across all the facts of our everyday life.
- It is the researcher’s contribution to both the academic world and practicing journalists in Nigeria as a whole.
1.6 Scope of the study
The scope of the study is limited to the illusion and reality of press freedom in the Nigerian democratic system of government examining the media.
It goes further to call on practising journalists across the country on the need to arise and work hard for the actualization and realization of total press emancipation in the act of gathering information and disseminating such information effectively.
1.7 Limitation of Study
In conducting a research of this nature which deals directly with citizens and their day to day interaction and conversation in the country, one is bound to face many challenges. Some of these challenges ranging from limitation in the area of finance, time, relevant materials and information, climate and health wise were unavoidable during the research.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Operational definition will be used for the purpose of this study:
Freedom: freedom is the absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government. According to dictionary.com: freedom is the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint
PressFreedom: According to Femi Sonayeke, it simply means allowing the press to perform its traditional role of keeping the masses informed about event taking place within and outside their communities without any hindrance, harassment or legal and social constraints.
Democracy: It is a fair and equal treatment of everyone in any media organization and right to take part in the decision making of any media firm.
Media: Channel or medium for the dissemination of information to an heterogeneous audience
THE PERCEPTION OF PRESS FREEDOM IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF OWERRI METRO POLIS)