EFFECTS OF GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF MASS MEDIA ON MEDIA OBJECTIVITY

  • Type: Project
  • Department: Mass Communication
  • Project ID: MAS0007
  • Access Fee: ₦5,000 ($14)
  • Chapters: 1-5 Chapters
  • Pages: 96 Pages
  • Methodology: Chi-Square
  • Reference: YES
  • Format: Microsoft Word
  • Views: 3.2K
  • Report This work

For more Info, call us on
+234 8130 686 500
or
+234 8093 423 853
EFFECTS OF GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF MASS MEDIA ON MEDIA OBJECTIVITY
 ABSTRACT

This project takes a look at the “Effect of Government Ownership and Control on Mass Media Objectivity. Government controlled media can be seen simply to be media that operates in a government controlled environment. There are three main concepts behind media that have emerged from such an environments. The term is often used in contrast to private or independent media, which has no direct control from any political party. Its content is usually more prescriptive, telling the audience what to think, particularly as it is under no pressure to attract high ratings or generate advertising revenue. In more controlled regions, the state government may censor content which it deems illegal, immoral or unfavorable to the government and likewise regulate any programming related to the media; therefore, it is not independent of the governing party. In this type of environment, journalists may be required to be members or affiliated with the ruling party Within countries like Nigeria, that have high levels of government interference in the media, it may use the state press for propaganda purposes:
 CHAPTER  ONE
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY.
The  media  of  mass  communication  has  two  important  broad  sub – divisions,  the  electronic  and  the  print  media.  The print media involves mainly  the  magazine  and  newspapers.  These  are  regional  and  national  informers  which  provides  retrievable,  researched  and  in depth  news – stories  of  events.
 Since  its  inception  in  1859,  courtesy  of  Henry  Townsend,  print  media  has  always  been  owned  by  either  individuals,  groups  of  individuals,  organizations  or  government,  both  state  and  the  national.  Due  to  the  pluralistic  nature  of  control  of  print  media,  the  competition  thereof,  the  print  media  has  always  been  a  vital  instrument  of  enlightenment.  Infact,  it  was  instrumental  in  the  struggle  to  gain  independence  for  Nigeria  in  1960.  However,  the  individuals  or  groups  that  establish  newspapers/  magazines  have  always  used  it  to  propagate  their  interests.  But  on  the  whole,  it  has  played  a  major  role  in  informing,  educating  and  entertaining  the  society.
 The  other  arm  of  mass  communication  media  is  the  electronic  media.  It  comprises   of  the  radio  and  television.  It  ha  not  been  as  enterprising  as  it  should  be.  Neither  is  it  as  competitive  as  the  print  media.  This  is  attributable  to  the  majority  ownership  and  control  of  the  electronic  media  by  the  government.  This  attribute  is  not  a  recent  phenomenon.  It  can  be  traced  to  the  political  experience  of  the  western  region  of  Nigeria  in  the  first  republic,  where:
 “During  the  1962 – 1965  political  crisis  in  The  western  region,    broadcasting  was  employed  freely   by  the  government  of  the  day  as  an  instrument  for  waging  an  offensive  against  opposition “.
 Following  the  activities  of  major  political  actors  then,  the  government  saw  its  efficacy,  then  decided  to  only  trust  the  electronic  media  into  the  care  of  its  royals.  It  therefore  toyed  with  the  idea  of  tying  the  radio  and  television  to  what  Modlyne  Opara  of  ESBS  called  “it’s apron”.  Though  the  constituent  assemblies  that  smithed  the  1959  and  1979  constitutions  for  the  country  did  not  approve  monolithic  control  of  the  electronic  media  by  the  government,  government  went  ahead  in  constitutionalizing  its  grip  on  the  media.  The  president  of  the  federal  Republic  of  Nigeria  was  vested  with  the  right  to  permit  the  establishment  of  the  electronic  media.  The  constitution states  inter alia:
 “……that  besides  federal  and  state  governments,  individuals  and  corporate  bodies  were  also  eligible  to  own  and  operate  radio  and  television  stations,  provided  that  they  received  the  presidents  permission  to  do  so”
 It  has  been  widely  acclaimed  that  the  government  had  to  take  such  decision  because  the  people  were  not  emotionally  and  materially  set  for  individual  ownership  of  the  electronic  media,  due  to  its  vulnerability  to  abuse  and  the  high  capital  required  to  establish  it.
 Also  considering  that :
        “ At  local,  national  and  international  levels,  the  media  are  powerful  
brokers  of  information  by  their  very  nature  and  availability,  the  mass  media  have  been   recognized  as ……  Most  potent  tool……in  the  modern  world”.
 If  we  have  to  go  by  records,  the  government’s  insistence  on  moving  and  controlling  the  electronic  media  is  in  contravention  of  the  universal  declaration  of  human  rights  article  19  of  the  UNO.  This  article  states  that :
 “Everyone  has  the  right  to  freedom  of  opinion  and  expression,  this  right  includes  freedom  to  hold  opinions  without  interference  and  seek  receive  and  import  information  and  ideas  through  any  media  
and  regardless  of  frontiers”
 Nevertheless,  Nigerians  of  the  contemporary  time  are  increasing  decrying  government  ownership  and  control  of  radio  and  television  station  because  the  station  are  increasingly  losing  its  credibility.  Yet  experts  suggested  reasons  why  the  government  continues  its  claw – like  hold  on  the  radio  and  television.  Adidi  Ugo,  a  senior  lecturer  in  mass  communication  department  of  the  university  of  Lagos  (UNILAG)  attributes  this  fear by  the  government:
        “ The  factor  under tying  the  restlessness  of  government.
         To  free  radio  and  television  from  its  contributions  is  nothing  but  
   fear”.
 But  government  has  defense  against  this.  It  claims  that  private  ownership  would  lay  volatile  Nigerian  publics  open  to  selfish  manipulation.  Hence  it  can  only  trust  such  huge  responsibilities  into  the  hands  of  its  loyals.
 Plausible  as  the  government’s  interest  might  sound,  considering  experiences  of  the  political  past  and  the  present  time  where  certain  political  interests  were  propagated  at  the  expense  of  the  masses.  Chiefs  executives  of  government  are  known  to  have  abused  the  electronic  media  by  using  it  to  further  their  own  parochial  causes.  In  addition,  the  governments  ownership  and  control  of  the   electronic  media  - radio  and  television  has  not  been  without  some  hindrance  on  the  media  operations  and  further  of  its  integrity.  If not  for  anything, J.E.  Aliede,  a expert  believes  that   “Due  to  the  government  control  of  the  electronic  media, they lack  credibility  and  objectivity”.  This  can  be  accounted  in  the  caliber  of  workers  they   parade.  Aliede  described  them  as “…….  Poorly  educated  editors  and  reporters …….”  These  half  baked    staff  are  ill  remunerated,  making  them  have  lean  and   financial  base  and  thus  easy  targets  for  manipulation  by  the  government  and  its  agents.
 Following   this  background  therefore,  we  have  resolved  to  seriously   determine.  The  effects  of  the  age long  ownership  and  control  of  the  Enugu  state   Broadcasting   service  by  the  state  government  with  a  particular  interest  at  the  FM  arm  of  the  establishment.  We  are  not  forgetting  that  John  C. Menril  in  his  paper  “A  conceptual  overview  of  world  journalism”  noted  that  “A  nation’s  press  or  media  system  is  closely  tied  to  its  political  system”.  Since  “A  nation’s  journalism  cannot  exceed  the  limits  permitted  by  the  society;  on  the  other  hand,  it  cannot  lag  far  behind”.  Also  Dr.  S. A.  Ekwelie  has  shown  through  a  study  that  the  needs  of  a  developing  country  is  to  use  the  media  for  “evolution  of  new  psychological  personality”.  That  is  what  J. E.  Aliede  believed  to  be  “empathy”.
 HISTORY  OF  ESBS
According  to  “ A  brief  history  of  ESBS”  published  on  the  official  commissioning / launching  of  Enugu  state  Broadcasting  service  (ESBS)  stations,  independent  Layout ,  Enugu  on  20th  March  1992.
 “What  is  today  known  as  Enugu  state  Broadcasting  service  (ESBS)  has  undergone  a  great  deal  of  metamorphosis.  It  was  first  opened  on  October  1,  1960,  as  one  of  the  memorable  ceremonies  marking Nigeria attainment of independence, and was then known as eastern Broadcasting Corporation (ENBC).”
 As the many state government that inherited it changed, the name of the establishment charged. Hence, it has borne such names as east central state broadcasting service (ECBS). This was later changed to Anambra Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)  following the creation of Anambra state. This name was later modified to Anambra State. This name was later modified to Anambra Broadcasting Service in 1985 following the creation of Enugu State, the station assumed the name Enugu State Broadcasting Service ESBS in 1991.
The Enugu State Broadcasting Service transmits on the following channels and frequencies.
Enugu Television (ETV) = Channel 50 UHF
Radio FM (1) = 585KHz in the medium wave band
Radio FM (2) = 96.1MHz in the FM band
AM radio = 62.1 KHz in the medium wave band
 As you would have guessed , the ESBS comprises at present a functional radio station transmitting on channel 50 UHF. Since our study is in the effects of government ownership and control of the radio 2 FM of the ESBS, we are going to concentrate our efforts on the radio 2 FM station.
 The reason for  our  choice  is  obvious  as  Eugene  S.  Foster  had  earlier  written  that:
 “Radio  today  occupies  a  unique  role  in  our  society.  While  our  attention  at  one  level  is  focused  on  television,  we  rely  more  heavily  on  sound  during  those  hours  not  reserved  for  full  attention  entertainment  with  video.  Although,  the  traditional  radio  stations  sought  to  be  all  things  to  all  people.  Today’s  radio  comes  closer  to  meeting  the  basic  needs  for  companionship  so  prevalent  in  an  impersonal  and  computerized  world”.
 If  radio  enjoys  all  these,  the  FM  radio  enjoys  more  advantages.  Mrs.  Modlyn  Opara,  a  one – time  acting  Director  ESBS  radio  2  FM  said  that,  “the  FM  is  mainly  for  playing  music  (entertainment)  and  adverts,”  because  of  the  many  advantages  it  enjoys  over  the  amplitude  modulated  (AM).  Following  these  over – riding  factors,  the  ESBS  exploits  the  Fm  for  its  combined  service  broadcasts  as   news  and  state  executives  broadcast.  On  the  whole,  the  FM  enjoys  the  following  advantage  over  the  AM  namely:  The  FM  is;
 Free  from  static  noise  and  disruptions.
FM  station  come  in  equal  strength  within  reception  range.
It  provides  undistorted  reception.
It transmit  with  greater  fidelity.
It  better  suited  for  community  and  city  broadcast.
 Besides  all  these  sterling  qualities,  the  FM  like  other  electronic  media,  according  to  J.E.  Aliede  of  Ebonyi  State  Newspaper  corporation,
“…….  Makes  great  contribution  towards  societal  improvements.  It  is  among  other  things  the  source  of  news ,  information,  education,  entertainment,  opinion  leadership,  conferring  status  and  creating  symbolism.  The  way  they  do  it,  no  matter  the  place,  determine  their  contributions  to  national  development   or  otherwise.  The  government  always  exploits  this  medium  avenue  to  sell  its  politics,  policies  and  program  propaganda  to  the  society.  And  since  the  government  funds  this  medium,  it  sets  up  the  “………organizational  structure  of  the  management  as  to  control  and  manage …..”  it  the  way  it  likes,  posits  Aliede  in  a  lecture.
 It  is  interesting  to  note  that  in  so  much  as  the  station  is  referred  to  as  “the  station  with  the  right  attitude  (thanks  to  Kelvin  Ugwu  a  presenter  on  ESBS  FM  radio)  it  is  not  very  accessible  to  all  and  sundry.  Its  accessibility  depends  on  whether  one’s  view  is  for  or  against  the  government  of  the  day.  For  most  state  government  and  in fact  most  governments,  The  rule  has  always  been  that  “ those  who  are  not  for  us  are  against  us”.  Hence  their  view  had  not  best  find  place  in  the  government  media  (or  do   we  say  megaphone).  The  boards  of  directors,  news  editors  and  presenters  etc.  All  these  personnel  are  accredited  government  loyalist  who  must  protect  the  interest  of  the  government  always.
 1.2     STATEMENT  OF  RESEARCH  PROBLEM
 The  concept  “Effect  of  Government  Ownership  and  Control  of  Mass  media  Objectivity”  is  of  great  importance.  Government  did  not  own  and  exert  control  the  mass  media  for  its  sake  but  a  definite  purpose  of using  it  as  a  megaphone  to  tell  its  own  story,  the  way  they  want  to  tell  it.
 Most  state  owned  media  organization  are  land locked  with  credibility  and  objectivity  questions  for  the  way  they  have  handled  information/propaganda  dissemination  for  the  government  at  the  expense  of  the  opposition  and  indeed  the  people.  For  this  reason,  media  audience  is  today  known  to  take  state  owned  media  message  with  a  pinch  of  salt.  For  Marshal  Macluhan  once  posited  that  “media  is  the  message”.
 The  problem  that  necessitated  this  research  is  the  need  to  uncover  how  government  influence  on  its  own  “megaphone  has  been  able  to  foster  or  deride  the  objective  principle  of  journalism  and  how  it  effects  the  media  as  a  whole.
 And  because  ESBS  FM  is  a  major  culprit  in  this  issue,  we  have  chosen  it  for  the  studies.
1.3     OBJECTIVES  OF  THE  STUDY
 Every  research  problem  worthy  of  academic  undertaking  is  carried  out  for  a  definite  purpose.  
 The  purpose  of  this  study  is:
 To  find  out  how  objectively  the  ESBS  discharges  its  duty  in  the  light  of  government  ownership  and  control.
 To  identify  ways  by  which  their  objectivity  has  affected  the  stations  status.
 To  offer  suggestions  on  how  government  owned  media  should  be  handled  to  achieve  better  result.
 Finally,  the  research  is  undertaking  to  make  contributions  to  knowledge  generally.
 1.4     SIGNIFICANCE  OF  THE  STUDY.
Though,  so  many  studies  and  research  have  been  done  in  this  problem.  This  research  undertaking  is  significant  for  the  suspicion  the  mass  audience  has  for  messages  disseminated  from  government  owned  media.
 At  the  end  of  this  research,  we  hope  it  will  be  useful  to  al  especially  mass  communication  scholar  and  practitioners.  It  will  also  be  beneficial  to  government  owned  media  organizations  and  to  private  owned  media  organizations  who  are  still  bedridden  by  objectivity  problem.
 The  study  will  help  to  provide  adequate  insight  to  meet  the  changing  demands  in  the  dynamic  media  environment  of  our  society  thereby  helping  media  managers  to  make  a  better  management  policies.
 1.5     RESEARCH  QUESTIONS
We  formulated  certain  questions,  which  we  hoped  if  answered  will  proffer  solutions  to  the  problem.  They  are  as  follows:
     i.      Does  the  influence  of  government  help  in  the  progress  of  ESBS.
    ii.      Does  ESBS  programmes  reflect  it’s  bias  to  government  or  media  objectivity.
   iii.      Is  government  influence  in  the  station  helping  it  to  achieve  its  aim  of  informing,  educating  and  entertaining  the  audience.
   iv.      Does  advertisers  react  to  the  stations  performance.
    v.      Does  the  ownership  and  control  give  room  to  media  practitioners  to  operate  optimally.
   vi.      What  factor  if  any  could  compel  government  and  private  sectors  media  to  pursue  their  duty  to  society  objectivity.
 1.6     RESEARCH  HYPOTHESIS
From  the  aforementioned  research  Questions,  some  hypothesis  shall  be  tested  in  this  study.  They are as follows:
 HYPOTHESIS 1
H1:   The influence of government is hindering the progress of  ESBS.
H0:   The influence government is not hindering the progress of  ESBS.
 HYPOTHESIS  2
H2:   ESBS  programmes  are  reminiscent  of  the  stations  tie  to  Enugu  state  government  and  lacks  objectivity.
 H0      ESBS  programmes  are  not  reminiscent  of  the  stations  tie  to  Enugu  government  and  does  not  lack  objectivity.
  HYPOTHESIS  3
H3:   Government  influence  on  the  station  is  helping  it  to  lose  its  credibility.
 H0:   Government  influence  on  the  station  is  not  helping  it  to  lose  its  credibility.
HYPOTHESIS  4
 H4:   Advertisers  are  shunning  the  station.
H0:   advertisers  are  not  shunning  the  station.
 HYPOTHESIS  5
H5:   The  undue  control  from  government  hinders  optimal  performance  of  media  workers.
 H0:   The  undue  control  from  government  does  not  hinder  optimal  performance  of  media  workers.
 HYPOTHESIS  6
H6:   Absence  of  government  interference  will  ensure  media  objectivity.
H0:   Absence  of  government  interference  will  not  ensure  media  objectivity.
 1.7     ASSUMPTIONS
In  undertaking  this  research,  we  are  assuming  as  follows:
In  influence  of  government  is  hindering  the  progress  of  ESBS  Radio.
ESBS  programmes  are  reminiscent  of  the  stations  tie  to  Enugu  state  government  and  it  lacks  objectivity.
Government  influence  on  the  station  is  helping  it  to  lose  its  credibility.
The  advertisers  are  shunning  the  station.
The  undue  control  from  government  house  hinders  optimal  performance  of  media  practitioners.
That  absence  of  government  inference  will  ensure  media  objectivity.
 
 
 
 
 


EFFECTS OF GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF MASS MEDIA ON MEDIA OBJECTIVITY
For more Info, call us on
+234 8130 686 500
or
+234 8093 423 853

Share This
  • Type: Project
  • Department: Mass Communication
  • Project ID: MAS0007
  • Access Fee: ₦5,000 ($14)
  • Chapters: 1-5 Chapters
  • Pages: 96 Pages
  • Methodology: Chi-Square
  • Reference: YES
  • Format: Microsoft Word
  • Views: 3.2K

500
Leave a comment...

    Related Works

    BACKGROUND  OF  THE  STUDY. The  media  of  mass  communication  has  two  important  broad  sub – divisions,  the  electronic  and  the  print  media.  The  print  media  involves  mainly  the  magazine  and  newspapers.  These  are  regional  and  national  informers  which  provides  retrievable,... Continue Reading
    BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY. The media of mass communication has two important broad sub – divisions, the electronic and the print media. The print media involves mainly the magazine and newspapers. These are regional and national informers which provides retrievable, researched and indepth news – stories of events. Since its inception in 1859,... Continue Reading
    ABSTRACT  This project work is mainly based on the theoretical and practical approach of the ownership influence and challenges on media establishment in effective dissemination of news and information. In this work, the researcher tried to revaluate types of media that is government owned media like Enugu state broadcasting service (ESBS) with a... Continue Reading
    ABSTRACT This research is conducted to provide insight on state-owned newspapers and their challenges. Chapter one stated the problem its significance and the scope of the study. Chapter two contains an extreme examination of secondary data provided by protein scholars of the concept. Chapter three describe how data were collected especially the... Continue Reading
    Abstract Mass media are very important tools of communication, through which information is passed to even the farthest end of the society. They enable us to communicate with each other by helping us to overcome the barriers of time and space. They perform both primary and secondary functions for the society. The media of mass communication are... Continue Reading
    Abstract Mass media are very important tools of communication, through which information is passed to even the farthest end of the society. They enable us to communicate with each other by helping us to overcome the barriers of time and space. They perform both primary and secondary functions for the society. The media of mass communication are... Continue Reading
    CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY In this part of the world,media ownership first began with the activities of colonial missionaries.with the establishment of “lwe lrohin”,Henry Townsend had a platform with which he could communicate with the community.Thus began the advent of newspaper in Nigeria,in 1859. The other set... Continue Reading
    ABSTRACT The broadcast media comprise of the radio and television, it has not been as enterprising as it should be. This is due to the majority ownership and control of the broadcast media by the government. Concisely put, broadcast is a society wide type of message dissemination, which involves the transmission of ideas, words, sounds, pictures... Continue Reading
    This study examines ownership, funding challenges and its implication for state media survival in Nigeria. The study adopted two research designs- survey and focus group discussion. The participants comprised of 66 registered journalists from Taraba State Broadcasting Service (TSBS) and Taraba Television (TTV). The researchers examined the entire... Continue Reading
    CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.0 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY Media technologies (TV, video, games, Internet, music, mobile phones) have brought about a substantial change in the experience of childhood in our society. These changes leave many parents unprepared for the challenge... Continue Reading
    Call Us Get this work