The Social Media Perception and Usage among Students of Nigerian Universities

Abstract

The study seeks to assess the social media perception and usage among students of Nigerian universities. Three research questions guided the study. Survey research design was adopted for the study. The population for the study is 1816. The sample size of the study was drawn using Wimmer and Dominic to get 451. 451 copies of questionnaire were distributed and 317 copies of the questionnaire were returned. Data was gotten from both the primary source and secondary source. The primary source was gotten from a structured questionnaire while the secondary sources were gotten from text books, library, and journals. The method of data analysis was frequency distribution tables and analyzed using simple percentage approach, from the analysis; it was discovered that students spends time longer than necessary on social media, students prefer chatting on social media than talking with their friends, students uses social media to source information happening around the world. Also from the study it was gathered that social media enhances quality education, students can learn from social media because they have access to educational materials online. It was recommended that Students should spend more time on their academic studies than they spend time on social media. Government should take charge of monitoring what goes on in the internet and awareness should be created on the proper use of social media.




CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Social media are fast becoming very popular means of both interpersonal and public communication in Nigeria and the world at large. Social media are modern interactive communication channels through which people connect to one another, share ideas, experiences, pictures, messages and information of common interest. What distinguishes the social media from the conventional means of communication is their interactive nature which allows the audience to participate in it from any part of the world they reside. McQuail (2010) differentiates the social media from the traditional mass media when he noted that “traditional mass communication was essentially one-directional, while the new forms of communication are essentially interactive.” This interactive feature of the new media confers an unprecedented popularity on them. Social Media are media that allow users to meet online via the Internet, communicate in social forum like Facebook, Twitter, etc., and other chat sites, where users generally socialize by sharing news, photo or ideas and thoughts, or respond to issues and other contents with other people. Common examples of social media are the popular social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace, Youtube, Flicker, etc. Social Media is an interactive media format that allows users to interact with each other as well as send and receive content from and to each other generally by means of the Internet.

Social media are technologies that facilitate social interaction, make possible collaboration, and enable deliberation by stakeholders across boundaries, time and space. These technologies include: blogs, wikis, media (audio, photo, video, text) sharing tools, networking platforms (including Facebook), and virtual worlds (Bryer and Zavatarro, 2011). The rise of social media sites as another platform on the internet has gained popularity over the last decade. The sites have attracted millions of users worldwide (Boyd, & Ellison, 2007) due to this fact many people are changing the outlets where they search for news, information, business and entertainment. These social media sites let those who use them create personal profiles, while connecting with other users of the sites. Users can upload photographs and post what they are doing at any given time. (Pempek, Yermolayeva, & Calvert, 2008). The social media by their nature have the capabilities of educating, informing, entertaining and inflaming the audience. Above all, they possess a contagious and outreaching influence which the conventional media lack. This potential is most likely what Osahenye (2012) refers to as “unstoppable power of the social media.

Now just like radio or television stations, social media sites spread everywhere in Nigeria and are bound to be sprouting as technologies continue to improve; however, the problem lies in the point that the purposes which the users apply the new media for are still obscure. This is what Folorunso, Vincent, Adekoya and Adewale (2010: 326), perceived when they argue generally that, “in Africa, social media networking site is becoming widely spread than it has ever been before and it tends to be majorly accepted by the youths. Yet the widespread adoption by users of these sites is not clear, as it appears that people’s perception of this technology is diverse. By and large, this study among other things is set to methodically examine why the students in universities within South-East Nigeria make use of the social media. The reason for such academic inquiry is to unravel some of the fundamental purposes which students use the new media to achieve. The rapid development of both technology and the skills and knowledge of social media users means that what makes up ‘social media’ continues to change at a rapid rate, as new websites and online content appear each day. As Jacka and Scott (2011:5) argue, ‘there is no single recognized definition of social media.’ For many people, well-known social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter typify social media. The sites have become enormously popular across demographics of race, age and gender, and have hundreds of millions of users. Jacka and Scott (2011:5) contend that it ‘can be said that social media is the set of Web based broadcast technologies that enable the democratization of content, giving people the ability to emerge from consumers of content to publishers’. The ABC (2011) has produced a Technology Explained website, where definitions and explanations are provided for modern technical and online terms. The website comments that: ‘Social media encapsulates digital tools and activities that enable communication and sharing across the net ... Social media is used prolifically by all areas of society; business, politics, media, advertising, police and emergency services. It has also become a key tool for provoking thought, dialogue and action around particular social issues’. The Social Media Guide website (2011) has listed some 50 definitions that it says it has collected from various other websites. In its terms, ‘social media is user generated content that is shared over the internet via technologies that promote engagement, sharing and collaboration.’ Kaplan and Haenlein contend that social media as we know it today can probably be traced back more than two decades. While it was unsophisticated by today’s standards, users could post public messages on sites such as Usenet. Not surprisingly, the advent and availability of high-speed internet access has led to a proliferation of sites and an explosion in their popularity (Kaplan and Haenlein 2010:60). Kaplan and Haenlein (2010:61) developed their own technical definition of social media: ‘Social Media is a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, and that allow the creation and exchange of User Generated Content.’

1.2 Statement of the problem

The use of the social media as channels of communication is a growing trend in Nigeria now, and in virtually all parts of the globe. In the country, almost everyone including university students make use of social media. Social media is a double-edged sword. Its power - for good and for bad - resides in us.” That is to say; people (users) determine what they do with social media. The rate at which social media is used is very high especially among university students which often leads to reduction of time the students devote to their studies. To ascertain if social media have any positive input on the students’ studies is a major concern. .The life of a student is consumed with studying, assignments and projects. However in this modern technology era, the life of a student is also consumed with countless social media sites like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and other countless sites and this makes it difficult for students to focus on studying. It is observed that some of the students use the social media to engage in cybercrimes which could cause harm to the victims. For some students, they easily get addicted with social media that it begins to interfere with their lives (Wilson, 2015).

These constitute the core problems this study seeks to systematically unravel how the Social media perception and usage among university students.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

As a central objective, this study seeks to assess the social media perception and usage among students of Nigerian universities. Specifically, the study is meant to;

1. To find out the extent to which social media has influenced GO University students

2. To ascertain if frequent social media is linked to poor academic performances

3. To determine if social media contents are relevant to academic curriculum in Nigeria

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions are proposed

1. To what extent do social media influence GO University students?

2. How is frequent social media use linked to poor academic performances?

3. How are social media relevant to academic curriculum in Nigeria?

1.5 Scope of the Study

This study is limited to literature regarding social media use based on academics in Nigerian universities. The research was conducted in Enugu because of the concentration of students within who are active users of social media.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study would be of benefit to these persons; stakeholders/policy makers, student.

Stakeholders/policy makers in academics: this study will help the stakeholders and policy makers as they will reduce the use of cell phones and educate the students on the implication of using social media all the time.The study will also enable the policy makers to take measures in enacting laws that will guide the use of social media in the school, and appropriate punishment for offenders. The tuy would also help policy makers put a check to devices that can gain access to social media during academic activities.

Students: this study will help the students understand that too much of everything is bad which includes the use of social media as it might endanger them or make them become addicted to social media.

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

Academic performance: is the extent to which a student, teacher or institution has achieved their short or long-term educational goals.

Perception: the way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted.

Social media: Social media is the creation, publishing and sharing of content from an author to a crowd, providing a locus for horizontal interaction across the crowd.

Stakeholder: An individual, group or organization who may affect, be affected by, or perceive itself to be affected by a decision, activity or outcome of the project.

Students: A person who is studying at a university or other place of higher education.

University: The grounds and buildings of an institution of higher education

Undergraduate: a university student who has not yet taken a degree.

THE ROLE OF RADIO IN THE POLITICAL MOBILIZATION OF RURAL AREAS IN NIGERIA (CASE STUDY OF NJIKOKA L.G.A)

CHAPTER ONE


INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The Mass Media made up of print and electronic play a huge role as veritable instruments of communication in every society. Radio as a medium is a tool for journalistic education, enlightenment, mobilization, culture propaganda and entertainment. Radio promotes economic development, stimulates political participation and arouses national consciousness and unity.

Radio was originally brought to Nigeria in 1932 by the British colonial government and was known as Radiodiffusion Service (RDS). It allowed the public to listen to programmes of British Broadcasting Corporation as foreign radio. In April 1952, RDS became the Nigerian broadcasting Service and introduced radio stations in Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu, Ibadan and Kano. This service was upgraded to the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in 1957 by an act of parliament. The NBC was designed to serve the communication needs of the people in the regions. In the same vein, the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON) was founded in 1933 to aid successful interaction of the broadcasting media in Nigeria. The organization is used as a rallying point for coverage of major national and international events.

Radio has the ability to serve both illiterate and literate people unlike the print media. Radio has played major roles in greasing the wheels of the country‟s political economy. It makes unbeatable contributions to the enhancement of the country‟s growth as exemplified in its massive political education, enlightenment, awareness, consciousness and provision offered for discussion, debates and presentations. These functions were manifested during campaign towards the 2003 general elections. It therefore provided the electorate the opportunity to set the manifestos and programmes of political parties with a view to helping them make mature choices during the elections. The mass media are organized means of communication designed to reach large numbers of people without the necessity of personal contact. Radio is regarded as the guardian of the public that examines the political policy and programmes, educates the masses, motivates and mobilizes them for active participation in political programmes and activities. The mass media are indispensable to the political system in a democratic society. They constitute the fourth estate of the realm, independent, free and responsible to the Public. They create awareness in order for the citizens to know the problems and issues confronting the state and their possible solutions and consequences. They provide people with information they need and can stimulate them by presenting the ideas of others. The mass media should play a crucial role in nurturing and sustaining the success or failure of our practice of democratic government. To a large extent, their success depends on how well the mass media carry out their functions as the midwife of democracy.

In Nigeria, the mass media have become instruments of political transformation of the masses. According to Akpan (1987, p.22), media information has a tremendous energy for change. Change in this context refers to learning which manifests mostly where a good number of people are wallowing in ignorance. The media are needed for information to improve all aspects of life. In the political sphere, the electorate need media information to participate fully in elections and learn their obligation. Furthermore, Eze (1988) while presenting his article, “Mass Media and Social Political Transformation‟, noted that the politics of any nation depends heavily on the mass media as platforms of articulating and marketing of ideas and issues on national problems to the people.

The study will therefore examine the contributions of Radio in mobilizing and galvanizing the people towards putting in place a stable and acceptable democratic government in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

1.1.1 Brief History of the Salt FM Radio (EBBS)

Ebonyi Broadcasting Service (EBBS) transmits on 98.10MHZ frequency modulation (FM) 2×2 TX. The Radio Station was established on 3rd February, 1997 with an initial 200 feet mast and later increased to 250 feet. The test transmission of the Radio station commenced on March, 22, 1997. Earlier, the pioneer military administration of Ebonyi State, Navy Captain Walter Feghabo, applied for both Radio and Television Licenses to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on March 3, 1997. On July 22, 1997 EBBS Radio started airing commercial programmes. On August 5, 1997 the first news bulletin was transmitted while the first global news came on air on April 1, 1998.

Legal Instrument

On 5th March, 1997 the management of EBBS forwarded the draft edict of the organization to the Ministry of Justice,Ebonyi State, through the Ministry of Information and State Orientation for vetting. Consequently, the Ministry of Justice on September 22, 1998 forwarded a copy of the Edict to the then Military Administrator, His Excellency, Commissioner of Police, Simeon Oduoye for assent. Thereupon, the Military Administrator assented to it and consequently, Ebonyi Broadcasting Service (EBBS) Abakaliki received its legal instrument (backing by Edict No.10 (1999).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The issue of media coverage of elections especially in the electronic media has always been a subject of considerable controversy in Nigeria. This issue is worsened by the diversity in culture and other social values among Nigerians. This obviously is the reason why the struggle to broadcast and control of the media as a means of gaining political power has remained an issue in Nigerian politics.

Political broadcasting tends to tilt in favour of the government of the day, however, with the deregulation of the industry, the trend changed, particularly with the nation’s return to democracy. This is obviously why many Nigerian broadcasting stations go all out to satisfy the interest of their owners during electioneering periods. Many Nigerians often accuse the media for not playing an independent role during electioneering periods as they often deny the oppositions the chance to use them in getting to the electorates. For instance, some all the broadcasting stations in Anambra state are owned by the government (including Radio Anambra) and during elections, they are used to serve the interest of the party in power. This it does contrary to Section 1.5.4 of the National broadcasting Commission’s code which deals on Political broadcasting.

The values and expectations of audience members in Anambra State which is the major catchment area of Radio Anambra does not present a shift from the status quo and due to the differences in the psychological make up of the people, they exhibit varying perceptions when faced with political messages and they comprehend political messages differently even when they live in the same environment.

The problem remains, how does the audience rate the performance of Radio Anambra in the 2007 general elections? Were their operations effective from the period of electioneering campaign to the elections proper? Was the station biased in terms of favouring the ruling party and denying access to the oppositions? Was the station able to mobilize the audience through inducing attitudinal and behavioural change during the elections period?

The problems highlighted above make it imperative to examine the perception of the audiences of Radio Anambra in the station’s coverage of the 2007 general elections in the state.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The following objectives were drawn to set the base this research to ensure a better understanding and assessment. To ascertain the level of coverage given to the 2007 General elections in Anambra State by Radio Anambra.

1. To ascertain the directional coverage of the elections by Radio Anambra with a view to ascertaining whether they were objective to all parties involved.

2. The find out the level of political influence in the station’s coverage of the elections if there were any.

3. To assess audience perception on the performance of Radio Anambra coverage of the 2007 elections in terms of functional duties and the effectiveness of its operations in Njikoka LGA.

4. To find out if the ownership status of radio Anambra affects her coverage of political issues like campaigns and elections in Njikoka LGA?

1.4 Significance of the Study

This study will be of great significance to the following people and in the following ways.

a. The media from time immemorial are charged with various roles of informing and enlightening the public, so this work will be useful to them by encouraging the media to carry out their functions well, despite the challenges that they face from time to time.

b. The study will provide reliable feedback data on audience view of media coverage of elections and also provide its strengths and weakness which will serve as a tool for improvement in the media outfit including both electronic and print.

c. It will serve as a data base for Mass communication researchers and scholars who may be embarking on similar research in the future.

d. It will also avail political actors and players more and better information on the role of the media in electoral processes, especially on the coverage of elections.

1.5 Research Questions

The following research questions will be of guide to this study.

1. What is the level of coverage given to the 2007 general elections by Radio Anambra in Njikoka LGA?

2. What is the direction coverage of the elections by Radio Anambra to ascertaining whether they were fair to all parties involved in Njikoka LGA?

3. What is the level of political influence in the station’s coverage of the elections if there were any?

4. How does the audience of Radio Anambra perceive the station’s performance in terms of the coverage of the 2007 elections in Njikoka LGA?

5. Does the ownership status of radio Anambra affects her coverage of political issues like elections and campaigns?

1.6 Scope /limitation of the Study

It will be nugatory, attempting to study the whole of Nigeria as it relates to the perception of Nigerians to the media coverage of the last general elections in the country. This is so because apart from the fact that it will be too expensive to embark on such a research, the inability to measure the large number of people that will be involved posses another serious challenge. In view of this, this study would therefore be limited on one hand, to radio audiences of Njikoka LGA in Anambra state; while on the other hand, it would be limited to the Radio Anambra. Also, the refusal of the audience to fill the questionnaire posed another challenge. Time and finance was also a challenge, as the researcher could not go round in other to meet up with time.

1.7 Definition of terms

A clear understanding of major concepts in any study goes a long way in illuminating the reader views by engendering better comprehension.

Perception is meant to be a process by which we become aware of change in our environment through the senses. Perception about a thing or an issue leads

to opinion formation or change about that thing or issue. Perception is often selected support an inner consistency among a person’s beliefs, attitudes and value.

Audience is taken to be the group or selected number of people who watch, read or listen to the same thing. For this study we will take the audience to be the number of people who watches (sees) everything that has happened in the environment.

Coverage is the amount or way that (the media) covers an area. The coverage is to be taken from the 2007 election area.

Media Dictionary meaning sees it as the main ways which large number of people receives information. In the cause of this work, it’s taken to be the radio station where Radio Anambra falls under this media in disseminating information to large heterogenous

THE ROLE OF RADIO IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (A Case Study of OSBC)

ABSTRACT

The various literature studies intended to evaluate the role of radio in the national national development. In this study, the researcher decided to draw home the Tourism that without a national political consciousness and viable political participation resulting in good leadership, there could be no genuine national development. The mass media is the fourth estate of government had been assigned the various responsibilities in the society including the watch role, the educator and entertainer of the various segments of the people. The role of the role of radio programme in the modern of more or less formalized national development that deals with communication of al types. Normally, this required a considerable capital as the case with the radio programme, television and publishing houses. Necessarily, they have to carter for the mass audience. For this reason, those who control the radio programme (presenters) usually suggest that they have the ability and capacity to manipulate and mobilize the people during the transition era.




CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

This research touches on the various aspects of radio programmes as instruments of national development. In other words, it explores into radio programmes as a mobilization agency during the political transition period.

It is thus, an important assumption of the work that a systematic study of national development by radio programmes should include an examination and the nature of operation of the mass media of communication in the Osun state broadcasting service (OSBC) Osun.

The mass media generally referred to both the print(s) and electronic media as supported in section 22 of the 1989 constitution of Nigeria. The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media should at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives and highlights the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.

The role of radio programmes according to General Abacha in his maiden independence broadcast on the 1st October 1995 was to unform, educate and entertain the citizen. Onyishi (1996) while highlighting on the role of radio programmes in democracy notes that the press not only sustains the democracy principles but also end with transaction period. The media should help an ushering in democracy they should play a crucial role in nurturing and sustaining the success or failure of our practice of democratic government. To large extent, their success depends on how well radio programmes carries out their function as the mid wife of democracy.

This research therefore is intended to investigate how far the radio programme had fulfilled this allowed obligation. It is hoped that the result of the work will be useful to media practitioners in the proper performance of their duties.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEMS:

In democracies, the mass media are the watch dog of the people. The citizen are usually mobilized and unformed to created awareness on the political culture.

By political culture, I refer to a system of politic in which sovereignty is vested on the people rather than a small clique, or an oligarchy, a political arrangement that places emphasis on the accountability of polity where the rule of law, majority rule and constitutionalism is the basic guiding principle.

Perhaps, it could be argued that the political crisis that pervaded our recent past points to the fact that most of our people are ignorant of an apathetic towards the country’s observe that in Nigeria electioneering and voting pattern cannot be validated, in the voting pattern of Nigerians and the possible estimation of the voter attitude towards political

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The level of political participation in Nigerian and Osun state in particular seems to be very low. Also the political crisis occurring in this country has equally been attributed to several factors. The purpose of this study is to identify the reasons or reasons that have contributed to this low political participations in Nigeria politics.

In doing so, what usually comes to mind is to ask the question what is the reason for the low political participation in Nigeria politics and equally the causes of the constant political crisis? As usually, it may be traced to several factors like low level of awareness and tribalism, how can this awareness be obtained? This will lead us to this research topic.

Therefore, this study is intended to inquire into how political participation in Nigeria politics and equally trace the genesis of the political crisis that identifies the factors responsible and solution sought.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is expected that this study would be immense benefit to the government, the mass media and the people of this country. This study will highlight the importance of radio programmes as a vehicle for national development in a transition era.

Through the mass media, especially the radio and television Nigeria might have a chance of having a viable political culture and help to choose a leadership that will inculcate a viable and sustaining democracy. This will also give us a society blessed with.

As right put by GORAN HEDEBRO- “communication media can create a climate of change by including a new valves, attitude and models or behaviour favourable to mobilization, teach new skill act as a multipher of resources of knowledge, raise level of participation in decision-making, help people to find new norms and harmony in period of transition, change the power structure of the society by giving knowledge to this masses, create sense of nations, lead to increase political activity or participation, promote people’s need satisfying development as self perpetuating process.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS.

The basic question posted as a result of these problem includes the following:

a. Have radio programmes been participating in economic development in Nigeria and Osun state in particular.

b. Has ethnic problem been hindering the smoothness of economic development in this country?

c. Can the masses in the country be mobilized and informed using radio programmes?

d. What role has radio programmes played to ensure a viable democracy?

1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Conceptual and operational definitions

1. ROLE

a. Conceptual: Persons or duties in an undertaking.

b. Operational: Function or part of the duty radio programmes do to contribute national national development.

2. MASS MEDIA

b. Conceptual: Existing channel through which government and its citizens communication to each other or means through which greater number of people are reached spontaneously with information.

1.7 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Since the research is directed as radio programmes and national development, the research is content on the broadcasting media in Osun state. (i.e. the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation OSBC)

AN EVALUATION OF GLO SPONSORSHIP OF NIGERIA PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the event sponsorship of the Glo Nigeria Professional Football League. The study was based on the event management operations model. Using a survey research design, the study sampled 396 respondents from a population of over sixteen million residents of southeast Nigeria. The Australian Calculator of the National Statistical Service of Australia was employed to obtain the sample size. The questionnaire was used as the research instrument together with a structured interview schedule. Using simple percentages and frequency distribution tables in analyzing data, findings revealed that most respondents (75%) are aware of Glo’s sponsorship of the Nigerian Professional Football League. Most respondents (89%) stated without equivocations that Glo’s sponsorship of the Nigerian local football league helps in marketing their services and products which they equally claimed is beneficial to the company. Majority of the respondents (63%) also stated that Glo’s sponsorship of the league has increased their interest in the local football league in Nigeria. The study recommends increased funding for events sponsorship by corporate organizations. It also recommends that incentives should be given by governments at all levels in Nigeria to business concerns who provide sponsorship for events or programmes that contribute to societal development.




CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study

In recent times, many companies have come to realize the importance of building long lasting relationships with their customers and at the same time seeking new means of beating competitors in the market place. The growing interest in professional sports league around the world has contributed to the increased focus by firms on using sports as a means of reaching target audiences.

Today, many companies are fully aware that they need their customers to stay in business and many of them know the high significance which event sponsorship plays in making them compete favourably amongst their competitors. According to Shank (2009:334), companies engage themselves in sponsorship deals at times due to some level of threat from their competitors. It has been argued by many sponsors that this is the main reason for sponsorship activity. In other words, if they are not interested and fail to invest in sponsorship, then some of their competitors will and this will eventually lead to a market loss for them in major events like the olympics, world cup, football leagues, etc.

De Pelsmacker, P., Geuens, M. and Van den Bergh, J. (2001:3) have explained why sponsorship is gaining importance. According to the authors, traditional mass media advertising is becoming increasingly expensive, increasingly irritating, and as a result of communication clutter, less effective. Sponsorship is seen as a means to escape this disorder, to isolate brand from the competition and to get the message across at a lower cost. Sponsored events are also increasingly broadcast, which makes investment in sponsorship more valuable.

Today, sport has become an avenue through which people spend their free time and it is now an industry of its own. According to Westerbeek and Smith (2003:18), sport is ultimately a way for all people to satisfy a variety of deep human needs, it provides an attracting means for international corporations to reach wide audiences. In addition to its commercial potential, sport is a tempting target for sponsorship because it is inextricably part of people’s lives and the level of emotion is high when it comes to people’s relationship with sport.

Most businesses have discovered the potential for achieving their business objectives through sport sponsorship. Such Objectives include increasing awareness; image enhancement; increasing sales; providing client hospitality and motivating employees are common reasons cited by businesses in justifying why they engage in sport sponsorship (Stotlar, 2001:14).

Many a time, companies usually negotiate a sponsoring or licensing agreement that would make the company an exclusive sponsor to an event. The advantage related to this type of sponsorship is a high level of exposure without having to worry about certain competitors and the cluttering which is quite synonymous with the traditional mode of advertising (Mullin et al. 2007:322).

Amis, Slack & Berrett, (1999:118) observed that gaining a competitive advantage is becoming more of a challenge within a cluttered telecommunication market in which there are increased incidences of ambush marketing. This has led telecommunication companies to explore new strategies to activate (leverage) their investments and maximize sponsorship return.

In Nigeria, most telecommunication companies and other organizations in varying business ventures have come to realize the potentials of sponsorship in product or service awareness creation, and one of such companies is Globacom.

Globacom is the title sponsor of the Glo Nigeria Professional Football League which has witnessed a large turnout of spectators unlike in the recent past. The Glo Nigeria Professional League is broadcast not only in Nigeria, but internationally using the media as their major channel of communication. However, the staging of a successful football league like the Glo Nigeria Professional Football League is highly dependent upon the ability of management to cover costs associated with running the event, such as marketing, infrastructure, staff and insurance. Revenue to cover such costs is often sourced from areas such as participation fees, merchandising and sponsorship.

Sponsorship has frequently proven to be the source of revenue that provides the financial backbone for the Nigeria Professional Football League. The sponsorship covers provision of branded items such as football jerseys, footballs, the stadia, live coverage of league matches, the league cup, indemnity for match officials and payment to clubs.

Given the increasing importance placed on sponsorship in recent times in product marketing and services, this study, therefore seeks to examine the event sponsorship of Glo Nigeria Professional Football League.

1.2 Statement of Problem

Football leagues all over the world have become big business and that of Nigeria should not be an exception. For the advanced football leagues, sponsorship is a major revenue earner. With funds and equipment availed football leagues and constituting teams by events sponsors, unprecedented and sustained growth has been witnessed in football around the world.

Event sponsorship is a promotional tool which directly brings benefits to society. Strict regulations guiding advertising of products have led many companies to find alternative ways of generating a positive association with their brands in the minds of their customers.

In developed climes, event sponsorship and its management have grown steadily over the years but the concept is still at its early stages in Nigeria. Within Nigeria, events sponsorship has turned out to be poor as programmes or events even when beneficial to society do not enjoy regular and broad sponsorship. This could be as a result of the government finding it difficult to move with present realities by letting the private sector run the economy in most cases and the organized private sector dragging its foot by waiting for the business environment to be conducive.

This has hampered the growth of veritable ventures such as our football league which has been in doldrums for many years due to inadequate funding in terms of sponsorship and management. Hence, this study which seeks to evaluate the event sponsorship and management of the Glo sponsored Nigeria Professional Football League.

1.3 Objectives of Study

Specifically, the areas of focus of this research work are as follows:

1. To determine the level of awareness of Globacom’s sponsorship of Nigeria Professional Football League.

2. To ascertain the level at which event sponsorship helps in marketing Glo products and services.

3. To ascertain the extent Globacom’s sponsorship of the Nigeria Professional League has increased the interest of football fans in the local league.

4. To find out the extent to which Glo Nigeria Professional Football League serves as a promotional strategy in positioning Glo products and services over its competitors.

5. To determine the extent to which events sponsorship creates increased brand awareness.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions have been raised:

1. What is the level of awareness of Globacom’s sponsorship of Nigeria Professional Football League?

2. To what level has event sponsorship helped in marketing Globacom’s products and services?

3. To what extent has Globacom’s sponsorship of the Nigeria Professional Football League increased the interest of football fans in the local league?

4. To what extent does Glo Nigeria Professional Football League serve as a promotional strategy in positioning Globacom’s products and services over its competitors?

5. To what extent can investment in events sponsorship create increased brand awareness?

1.5 Significance of Study

This study will contribute in ascertaining the effectiveness of event sponsorship in marketing products and services.

This work is expected to be invaluable to companies, organizations, and governments that still depend largely on advertising alone at all levels in the country, to start thinking of sponsoring events because of the huge financial benefits that can be derived and are yet to be explored.

It will equally help companies, football associations in Nigeria, spectators and the government to know the extent event sponsorship can influence people towards patronizing products and services.

In the area of academics, this study will help to provide literature on sponsorship and management of events. With the literature provided, this study will serve as a reference material for people researching in this area or other related issues. It could also spur further interest in scholars to produce more works and conduct further research on the topic.

1.6 Scope of Study

The scope of this study is primarily focused at evaluating the sponsorship of the Nigeria Professional Football League.

The study is targeted at viewers of Glo Nigeria Professional Football League, Globacom’s customers, business people, football enthusiasts and other members of society within South East Nigeria.

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

For the sake of clarity, certain terms need to be defined according to the context of usage.

Event

It is an organized occasion such as a sports competition or social function. It is an occurrence that happens in a certain place and times especially something important or interesting.

Sponsorship

It is the provision of resources such as money, people, equipment, etc, by an organization directly for an event or activity, in exchange for a direct association with the event or activity.

Sponsorship entails providing financial support for an activity or event. It includes but not limited to providing support and encouragement through finance by a sponsor for an event which the sponsor has decided to provide sponsorship for.

League

This is an association of sports clubs or teams that compete with each other.

Brand Awareness

Brand awareness arises from the visibility of a brand which includes the image or product. This is made possible through publicity of such brands through sponsorship of events which is a form of advertising and other forms of advertising.

Brand awareness entails public knowledge of goods and services, products and brands.

NEWSPAPER FRAMING OF HEALTH MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

The role of the press in communicating development messages cannot be over-emphasised. The way and manner these messages are ‘framed’ within the frame of mind of the readers is as important as the communication of such messages. This study focuses on Newspaper Framing of Health MDGs in Nigeria. It sought to determine the frequency of coverage, angle of Health MDGs framed, level of prominence given to Health MDGs as well as the challenges facing the reportage of Health MDGs stories. Content analysis, survey and textual analysis methods were used as the manifest content of communication of four randomly selected national newspapers (from January 2012 to December 2012). The results were analysed with interview responses from Journalists who cover these events. The findings reveal that Health MDGs stories recorded more frequency of coverage but low prominence in terms of placement. Ownership influence and profit motive of newspaper institutions were among the challenges facing the reportage of Health MDGs in Nigeria. The researcher recommends, among other things, that public interest should be a determining factor for prominence in newspaper reportage of any issue. Also, Journalists should endeavour to frame news contents towards promoting positive attitudes in the people towards government institutions in the country.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Nigeria is a development-conscious nation. The country is also community -conscious. Development is a participatory process of social change, which is intended to bring about both social and material improvement in a society. Most Nigerians tend to identify with their community and as such, most of their discussions are centered on community development. The desire for many Nigerians to attract development to their community remains paramount to indigenes. This can be clearly seen among Nigerians, most of who tend to identify themselves based on villages/tribes.

Development involves greater number of people gaining control over their immediate environment, empowering people to be self-reliant and creating the right environment for people to improve their living conditions. The slow pace at which most nations in the world are developing has become a worrisome trend and this can be linked to various trends such as poor medical facilities, poverty etc. Kayode & Adeniran (2012, p.1) gave credence to this claim as they stated that people experience extreme poverty with a substantial segment of the population living in deplorable conditions and lacking basic amenities. According to Soola, (2002):

A holistic view of development must conceive of development as people centered, human capital-based, designed and packaged to promote the wellbeing of the beneficiaries of development. It must recognise the need for people participation and self-reliance within the complex increasingly interdependent world of globalisation. Development must not only be quantitative and qualitative in a mutually beneficial and reinforcing manner but must also appreciate the endogenous and exogenous dimensions of development (p.15).

In summary, Soola’s definition pointed out that development is like democracy - it must be of the people, by the people and for the people.

To a large extent, health, poverty, economy, education, science and technology, manpower etc, affect the rate at which a nation develops. However, the bid to reduce poverty level in developing nations led to the declaration of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the year 2000 by 189 world leaders and members of the United Nations (Annanmore-Yao, 2004, p. 21). Under the MDGs, countries were mandated to cut by half the incidence of poverty come 2015, among other goals, though, MDGs was actually designed to complement other efforts to improve the quality of the countries’ poverty rate and health and also aimed at building the nations capacity by 2015 (UNAIDS/WHO, 2005).

In September 2000, 189 world leaders made a commitment to achieve the MDGs by 2015 (United Nations General Assembly, 2000). Fatusi and Jimoh, (2006, p.323) noted that there are national and regional efforts to achieve the MDGs through an extensive body of normative and technical work and the building system to track progress and measure achievement as well as to coordinate technical collaboration.

The meeting of the 189 world leaders ended with a resolution to ensure that the rate of poverty is reduced. In addition, the issue of health was addressed during the meeting of these world leaders. Other issues discussed include gender inequality, poor education, and lack of access to drinkable water and the issue of environmental degradation (WHO, 2003).

It is worthy of note that, three of the eight goals are directly related to health: to reduce maternal-mortality by three-quarter; child mortality by two-thirds; and combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Worthy of note is that health is an essential component of three other targets: to reduce the proportion of people who suffer from hunger; improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation; and ensure affordable, safe access to essential drugs.

Between December 2 and 3, 2004, a High-Level Forum (HLF) on the Health MDGs was held in Abuja, the forum (HLF) was hosted by the government of Nigeria and organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Bank. The health problems confronting developing nations were the key issue discussed in the forum. World leaders in health and development, ministers of Health and Finance, aid donors, senior representatives of the global development community and charitable foundations, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, were in attendance (Busari, 2004 p.88).

The members of HLF on Health MDGs mapped out actions in several key areas of international health and development. These include increased funding from national governments and donors for the attainment of the health goals, better coordination between donors to manage aid, urgent action to address a massive shortage of health workers, particularly in Southern Africa, and greater attention to fragile states - countries affected by crisis.

Eight years after HLF was held in Abuja on Health MDGs, statistics showed that there is a significant progress in the achievement of the set goals on Health MDGs (Fatusi & Jimoh, 2006, p.323). Dr. Lee Jong Wook, Director-General of WHO, said progress is possible with commitment and that technology and proven health interventions are often available and affordable. Dr. Lee pointed those countries with little money, such as Peru, Mozambique and Vietnam, where systematic efforts to improve health care is working. According to Lee, “We believe that, there is much we can do now to move from promises to better lives for millions of poor people” (Annamore-Yao, 2004, p.8).

With regard to health as a social institution, WHO (2001) defines a healthy system as “All the activities whose primary purpose is to promote, restore, or maintain health.” These activities include the facility-based system, interventions at the household and community levels, as well as broader public health interventions such as food fortification or anti-smoking campaigns. It also includes all categories of providers such as public and private, formal and informal, for profit and non-profit, allopathic and indigenous, etc. On the other hand, it also includes mechanisms, such as insurance, by which the system is financed as well as the various regulatory authorities and professional bodies who are meant to be the ‘stewards’ of the system. But the health system is not simply a mechanical structure to delivery technical interventions the way a post office delivers a letter. Rather, health systems are core social institutions. They function at the interface between people and the structure of power that shape their broader society.

To see that the goals are achieved, several sectors took part in disseminating the information such as Non-governmental Organisations, private sectors, newspaper agencies, and others (Kanki & Adeyi, 2006, p.7). All these were done with the aim of improving developing countries’ health sector.

However, Nigerian newspapers cover local issues, politics, major events and celebrations, lifestyle of the Nigerian people and business news. Newspapers are becoming increasingly popular and increasingly controversial. Most of the newspapers’ coverage in Nigeria supports the achievement of the MDGs by providing relevant information. The Nigerian newspapers have played a very significant role in achieving a sincere and responsible government by being candidly vocal about the social, economic, political, as well as health issues in Nigeria (Fatusi & Jimoh, 2006, p. 323).

Just like other nations, Nigeria has a state-owned news agency called the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from which some Nigerian newspapers usually obtain their daily raw news. Direct reporting is also largely practised by Nigerian media with Nigerian newspapers covering local and national first-hand news. They also monitor core health indicators for other areas of public health that help explain progress in the achievement of specific goals at country level. These include immunisation coverage for new antigens, prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases, effectiveness of interventions against these diseases, and impoverishment of households through health payments.

To this effect, Nigeria press is expected to provide the masses with information on how the country is striving to meet the health-related MDGs and this forms the pivot on which this study is conducted on.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

According to report on the MDGs, the media coverage of MDGs is low and not encouraging in the rural areas and as such there is media neglect, especially by the print media, on health-related issues in rural areas (Fatusi & Jimoh, 2006, p.324). Commercialisation has eaten deep into the print industry and news items with financial footings and backings are now being prioritised by media men.

The MDGs’ target of 2015 is relatively strange to the target audience (Fatusi & Jimoh, 2006, p.323).This, to a great level, throws doubt at its survival and achievement. The media, no doubt, is expected to promote the MDGs, but to a large extent, the goals, according to Jimoh, (2007, p.323), are still unheard of to majority of the said targets. Poor dissemination of information on the MDGs has obvious consequences to development in Nigeria. The lack of awareness of MDGs, as a result of poor dissemination of the said goals, will slow the actualisation of MDG’s deadline come 2015.

To this end, there is need to know if the increasing popularity of print media news items have strengthened or weakened people’s knowledge on Health MDGs.

On the other hand, how news on the MDGs is covered matters a lot. The print media are sometimes accused of writing news in the form that makes it difficult for an average person in the audience to understand. Most of the news do not take into cognisance individuals as well as cultural differences in the way people accept, process and interpret information passed on to them.

It is based on the above that this study aims at examining newspaper framing of Health MDGs in Nigeria with specific reference to four selected newspapers in Nigeria, namely: The Guardian, Vanguard, Punch and Daily Sun newspapers.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The major objective of the study is to examine Newspaper Framing of Health MDGs in Nigeria, using four selected newspapers.

Specific objectives of the study are as follows:

i. To find out the frequency of newspaper reports of Health MDGs in Nigeria

ii. To ascertain the level of prominence given to stories on the MDGs by the Nigerian press.

iii. To ascertain the angle of stories on Health MDGs that was given prominence.

iv. To find out the various interpretations given to issues arising from Health MDGs in the Nigerian press.

v. To ascertain the challenges facing newspaper reportage of Health MDGs in Nigeria.

1.4 Research Questions

This study aims at providing answers to the following research questions:

1 What is the frequency of newspaper reports of Health MDGs in Nigeria?

2 What is the level of prominence given to stories on the MDGs by the Nigerian press?

3 What angle of the stories on Health MDGs was given prominence in the newspapers?

4 How were the issues arising from Health MDGs interpreted in Nigerian newspapers?

5 What are the challenges facing newspaper reportage of Health MDGs in Nigeria?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study will be of great significance to the audience, who will appreciate the role of the newspaper framing of Health MDGs to their daily lives. Professionally, the study will expose the role of mass media in reporting the Health MDGs goals in developing countries, particularly in Nigeria. The study will also help people to know health issues and other MDGs as they affect them and enhance individual and communal health.

Academically, the study will add to literature on Health and MDGs in developing countries, particularly in Nigeria. It will also serve as a reference material to students and lecturers. Also, the findings from this study will serve as a springboard to present and future researchers who intend to carry out similar studies on the above subject matter and other aspects of the MDGs.

Theoretically, theories can emerge from this study on how health related issues should be reported mostly in developing nations like ours.

1.5 Scope of Study

The content scope of this research work is limited to newspapers framing of Health MDGs. By Health MDGs we mean Goals 4, 5 and 6 which are: Reducing Child Mortality, Improving Maternal Health, and Combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other Diseases respectively. The time scope is one year, from January 2012 to December 2012. The manifest content of four national newspapers: The Punch, Daily Sun, Vanguard and The Guardian newspapers will be examined.

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

The key terms used in this study need to be defined in the context of the meaning assigned to them for the sole purpose of this study; they include:

Framing: Conceptually, framing means the process of organising idea or story line in such a way as to provide meaning to an unfolding strip of events and weaving a connection among them. It is emphasising salience of different aspects of an issue.

Health: A state of being mentally and physically well.

MDGs: This means Millennium Development Goals

Health MDGs: These are the MDGs that are related to health issues and they include: Goal 4: Reducing Child Mortality; Goal 5: Improving Maternal Health; and Goal 6: Combating HIV/AIDs, Malaria and other diseases.

Media: This is any means of communicating information from one person to another or any means employed to relay information to members of the society. Here the print media forms the focus of this study.

Newspaper: A loosely-bound copy of print material that contains news about current issues in the society, advertisement, correspondence, etc

THE IMPACT OF RADIO PROGRAMMES IN IMPROVING THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF ESBS/IMT POLY AIR PROGRAMME

ABSTRACT

Development is the process of moving the world or mobilizing communities as a whole to engage in the task of self-improvement with the available resources. In same vain, Education is necessary not only to help in improving all aspects of a person but also all aspects of a nation’[s development.

Following this, the Poly-Air Programme of ESBS/IMT Enugu, become a vital instrument to help the less privileged and those who are unable to go to regular tertiary Institutions, to improve on their knowledge acquisitions and general enlightenment.

Therefore, the purpose of this research is to find out the role the radio programme, ESBS/IMT Poly-Air has played in improving the educational system in Enugu State.

This work is divided into five chapters for a critical examination. The introduction gives an insight to the topic, the problems which is intended to discover, objections and importance of the research work.

Chapter two deals elaborately on journals, textbooks and other sources eg. Interviews that explains the literature source or materials consulted for the project.

Chapter three, explains the methods, sample and design use for the research and collection of data distributed, and analyzing it for results.

Chapter four is based on Analysis, presentation of data collected and also Testing of Hypothesis.

Recommendations and Summary of findings is on chapter five which is the last chapter.

Recommendations are made base on the findings of collected data: that , Poly-Air Programme should be improved for better education of the masses and also Government should increase the subventions given to the media (Radio) for effection dissemination of the programme.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACHGROUND OF THE STUDY

Education is an important agent for development of an individual, community, the social and the nation a whole. According to behaviorist, the child is born without a :self”, he is voiced as a clean state on which the care givers write what they wish. Through education, individuals perceived and imbibe fundamental values and also develop new ones. Education also as part of socialization help to develop an individual, which in turn leads to the improvement of the society. Again, certain prescribed goals are realized in areas of economic growth, healthcare, political and social awareness, political stability, self reliance, national identity, cultural correlation amongst other things.

The need for all sundry to be enlightened and will educated cannot be over emphasized and this, brought about the Introduction of using the media to get people educated. The electronic media, which serves as a means include the radio, the television, films and cinemas but the radio has continued to wax stronger as a medium of the people. We regard it as a medium of the people. We regard it as a medium of the people because radio has become a common sight in both urban and rural communities. It appeals to both literate and illiterate audiences as its programmes can be broadcast in their local dialects. According to Ansah (1991: 34) agrees that “of all the mass media generally available to Nigerians, the radio is the most widespread and accessible in other words, it breaks the barriers of distance as its reach is widely and highly penetrating.

Again, because of this qualities, the radio medium is seen as the effection means to get all sundry educated. Therefore, the role of the radio in educating the masses are found in some of its educational programmes like ESBS/IMT Poly-Air Programme, Win a million, school debates and host of others Education therefore is not only the development of individuals mental powers, knowledge and ability but also the systematic training and instruction given out especially to the young ones in colleges and Institutions through the media. Again, the media serves the purpose of enlightening the public both formally and informally.

The introduction of ESBS/IMT Poly-Air, a radio programme could be linked with the introduction of educational broadcasting in Nigeria. It started with the commissioning of wired broadcasting services in Lagos, during the colonial administration. This services involves the system of using the radio stations to relay programmes to subscribers, using eables connected to load speakers installed in their homes. In the same vain, the media gets to the audience, relaying different programmes.

Further, Enugu being the regional capital of the former Eastern Nigeria, the heart-beat of Igbo-land and presently, a state capital which occupies a strategic position in the political and social organization of Nigeria requires its citizens to be well enlightened, self reliant, independent and academically stable. Based on this, the need to use the media as an agent or instrument of formal learning become necessary.

Over the years, a lot of researches had been carried out on the issue of ESBS Poly-Air programme in improving the educational standard in Enugu. Also to find out the relationship between the Poly-air programmes, the Institution offering it (IMT) and also the radio medium that airs it.

Today, it is well accepted that the radio medium educational programmes produces good effects on the audience in the areas of comprehension, speaking abilities, perception, retention capabilities. There are also some problems, for instance some lecturers do not go in line with the media style of presentation. Secondly, there is one side communication and there is no feedback from the audience. Again there may also be distractions at home and short of power supply from NEPA. Not withstanding these problems, ESBS/IMT Poly-air has its objectives as:

1. To help non-regular students and works improve their academic pursuit through radio medium.

2. Since the radio has the ability to permeable the interiors of the state, the ruralites also listens to the lecturers.

3. To contribute to the uplifting system of education in Enugu state by importing knowledge to all that are interested.

1.2 RESEARCH PROBLEM

The study among other things finds out the effectiveness of Poly-air programmes on the students. Also, it tries to find out if the timing of the programme is suitable for students and hold their interest.

The study also finds out the importance and the acceptability of the programme by the public and finally, if this radio programme is favouring education the masses as compared to the regular students programmes.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The importance of education can never be over-emphasized. It is the taproot of civilization and rural development.

Development is achieved, when there is an appreciable level in basic human needs, including high literacy level.

Bearing all these in mind, the objective of the study includes:-

1. To find out if the public truly appreciate the radio programme on its efforts of educating the masses.

2. To create awareness on the needs for those that are not opportune to attend regular programme in tertiary Institution, to enroll in the programme.

3. To ascertain the extent to which the programme has improved human life especially amongst the youths in the areas of comprehension and speaking abilities, behaviour and character.

4. To encourage and boost the morale of the public about the programme.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

This study is guide necessary bearing in mind that the world is ever changing and developing. In western world, the use of computers to educate the population and give them wider knowledge of the world is very much accessible. This makes them to be scientifically, technologically, educationally and socially developed. Nigeria as we know, cannot be compared to the western world and this bring about the need for the public to be educated; those who were not opportuned, to enroll into various Institutions of learning, comes to Poly-Air programmes and benefit from its academic efforts.

It is imperative to assess and find out the role of Poly-Air programme in educating the masses and at the same time examines the problem encountered in pushing the programme forward.

Finally, the result of the study will help to find other ways of improving the programme and educating the masses.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. Does the ESBS/IMT Poly-Air stimulates the interest of the public?

2. Does ESBS time this educational programmes to suit its masses of Enugu metropolis and environs?

3. Is there any appreciable level on the educational system of Enugu state since the introduction of the programme?

4. Does the programme help to develop individual’s intellect on the perception of issue and events in the society.

1.6 STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS

HI: Radio educational programmes are more effection in

educating the populace, than academic activities in

schools.

Ho: Radio educational programme are not effective in

educating the populace.

H2 Poly-Air programmes are well packaged to enhanced

comprehension of the audience.

Ho: Poly-Air programmes are not well packed to enhance

comprehension of the audience.

H3 The timing of Poly-Air programme on the radio is suitable

to the students

Ho: The timing of Poly-Air programme on the radio is not

suitable to the students

H4: ESBS/IMT Poly-Air Programme helps to improve the

educational system in Enugu state.

Ho: ESBS/IMT Poly-Air Programme does not help to improve

the educational system in Enugu state.

1.7 DEFINITION OS TERMS

The conceptual and operational definition of terms in the study.

1. ESBS/IMT Poly-Air Programme:

Conceptual Definition: programmes that imparts

knowledge on the people through the radio medium.

Operational Definition: Polytechnic on air through Enugu

state broadcasting service, which helps non-regular

students and workers to be educated.

2. EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM:

Conceptual Definition: Standardized systematic training

and Instructions, usually intellectual and moral training.

3. OPERATIONAL Definition: Ordered set of ideas and effort that are made to impart knowledge through the academic and non-academic process, usually to develop characters and mental powers.

4. ENUGU STATE:

Conceptual Definition: organized political community with

its apparatus of government, such a community forming

part of the Federal Republic.

Operational Definition: The regional capital of the former Eastern Nigeria and currently Enugu state capital

1.8 ASSUMPTIONS

In carrying out the study, the following assumptions were made..

i. That people who composed the sample instead to the radio,

ii. That ESBS/IMT Poly-Air Programmes was effecting in improving educational system for both old and young, rich and poor in the state.

iii. Previous study has been carried out on this topic, thus some research works were gathered.

1.9 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF STUDY

This study is an assessment of how ESBS/IMT, Poly-Air Programme has helped or is helping in the improvement of educational system in Enugu state.

The study was constrained by time; few research materials and limited number of Poly-Air students that will be sampled.

Another limitation is based on finance in covering or conducting opinion poll from different part of the state. Notwithstanding the mentioned problems, it is expected that the results obtained will be valid and add to the existing body of knowledge in the areas of attitudinal and behavioural change towards the educational programme.

ETHICAL CHALLENGES IN JOURNALISM PRACTICE IN SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF RIVERS, BAYELSA AND DELTA STATES

ABSTRACT

The journalism profession has great impact on the individuals and society at large, hence it is expected that its ethical principles be adhered to and practitioners are to be guided by standards of professional practice that is acceptable globally. Today, the reverse seems to be the case as there is much gap between what is expected and what is practiced. It is on this premise that this study undertakes an evaluation of the ethical challenges facing journalism practice in south-south Nigeria with a focus on three randomly selected states: Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states. Using the survey research design and the questionnaire as the instrument for collecting data, the study found among 744 journalists that there are discrepancies in the internal and external factors affecting journalism practice in Nigeria. It also found that managerial incompetence poses a great challenge not just to the performance of journalists based on ethical principles but also on the image of the journalism profession. Hence, the researcher recommends amongst others that expert services should be engaged in the evaluation of the journalism in Nigeria with respect to profession standards of ethics and to ensure that the profession is up to date on regular basis to meet the required standard based on professional best practice.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Various professions the world over have identity carved for themselves in which they depend on for pride. Some are known for routine, some are famous for their unity of purpose salutation while some are known for their esprit de corps. The Nigerian print media has taken a new turn in this 21st century though a large percentage of print media ownership is still in the private hands while government clung to monopoly of the broadcast media is gradually giving way. Notwithstanding, concern from the scholars’ perspective is more on the issue of non-professionalism which is more rampart in journalism. It is not uncommon for politicians who have no knowledge of journalism to establish one, two, three and even numerous media houses purposely to prosecute their political ambition and sometimes establishing such for financial gains.

The constitution of Nigeria does not guarantee specific press freedom, it only guarantees freedom of expression including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information. Several professional bodies such as Law, Engineering, Accounting, Medicine, etc today enjoy a high sense of respect because they are clearly identified and defined by the Nigerian constitution, adhered to ethical values and governing rules. Ironically, journalism, which is widely seen as the conscience of society is yet to be certified a profession, judging by the yardstick on what a profession should be. The practice of journalism in Nigeria has courted great controversies especially in relation to ethical regulation and adherence to professional precepts. Journalism is an esteemed profession that has a lot to offer in the reformation of society; unfortunately in Nigeria, it has become an all comers affair.

The former Abuja Bureau Chief of the Tide Newspaper, Alloys Nweke, during the January 2008 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Summit in Port Harcourt, frowned at the numerous untrained people bestriding the streets with pen and paper claiming to be journalists. Nweke’s speech revealed that the number of fake journalists in Nigerian society is higher than the real practitioners, this is really painful and embarrassing because it depicts journalists as beggars and irresponsible whereas, genuine Nigerian journalists have remained in the forefront of democratic change and social re-ordering through doggedness and abrasive posture.

Akinfeleye (1990) quoted an American critic, Dean Rosco Pound who once wrote that every profession is governed by certain rules, and the absence of such rules makes it a vocation (Akinfeleye, 1990). For a very long time Nigerian scholars, professionals and practitioners have argued as to whether journalism is a profession or not in Nigeria. Some scholars and practitioners of journalism in Nigeria say journalism is a trade, others say it is a craft or an occupation while the rest simply say it is a vocation. According to Akinfeleye, (1990), the confusing state of affairs as to whether journalism is a profession or not in Nigeria has been partially brought about by the colonial rulers, particularly Britain where until recently, journalism was regarded as “an unqualified profession” (Akinfeleye, 1990).

In another development, every profession is being governed by its ethics and code of conduct. The early and the nationalist press were not governed by any formal ethics and code of conduct. For example, editorial policies didn’t exist, from the four paged, bilingual Iwe Iroyin to many paged Daily Times. On ethics and code of conduct in early Nigeria journalism practice, Udoakah & Nnadi, (2007) position that there was no regulation in the profession and anything went through. This accounts for one of the reasons why up till today, journalism in Nigeria is still not being seen as a profession, it is an all-comers affair. Responsible regulation came with the ethical code of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in 1962. This was after the journalists have established themselves as trade unionists on March 15, 1955. It started with 12point functions and 12-point code for members.

Following this on May 21, 1961, the Nigerian Guild of Editors was inaugurated. Both NUJ and NGE in 1962 proclaimed 16-point code of ethics for journalism practice in Nigeria with all fusing organizations in January 15, 1979 and signed the ethics and code of conduct which was in operation before modification in 1998. The 1998 adopted code of ethics emphasizes: “the publication of truth, the question of corruption, the question of free access to news, the question of confidentiality, the publication of plagiarism and errors of facts.” Colonia rulers in Nigeria and their succeeding “Nigerian-Europeans” regarded journalism education as an unnecessary undertaking. This view partly accounts for the reason why few decades ago, most Nigeria universities did not offer any formal journalism training. Until recent times, Nigerian journalists were being viewed as a bunch of dropouts who had been rejected by other professions. This uncomplimentary view of journalism and journalists in Nigeria has made the profession, trade, craft, or vocation, very unprestigeous (Akpan, 2000).

It has now become a truism that low literacy rate contributes to a low degree of journalism training and also to a low standard of journalistic performance. Journalism profession has suffered serious setbacks in its developmental processes in Nigeria because; Nigeria nation has not given priority to degree programmes in journalism. Instead graduates from other disciplines such as Political science, Economics, Sociology, English etc are being given on-the-job training in journalism and these non- professionals do cause serious damage to this noble profession. Just of recent, the immediate ex-NUJ President, Akwu in Port Harcourt, after a deliberation on the state of the profession submitted that journalists should ensure strict adherence to the ethics of the profession in order to change the perception of the world about them. Making comment on the issue of non-professionalism in Nigeria journalism, Gboyega (1989), frowned at the inability of the very many press barons in Nigeria to make deliberate efforts to transform journalism in the country to an enviable profession that can compete favourably in its organizational structure, effectiveness, thoroughness and virility as in other professions like Legal, Medical, Engineering and Banking professions. In view of all these, this research seminar will critically examine some issues and aim at providing solutions to them.

Also, the condemnation of journalists by those not favoured by news reports is always total. Few people are objective in their assessment of journalists’ performance when they are directly involved in a report. They are stingy with praises when due but generous with condemnation. They discard the principle of cause and effect which basically explains the relationship between the cause of a story and the story itself. However, the journalism profession occasionally experiences credibility problem, which hinges on lack of adherence to its ethical demands by practitioners. This is undesirable, though, as a good relationship between the media and its audience is an imperative if society must grow.

It is noteworthy that the integrity of the media has hardly ever been on the line when issues of national importance are involved. Challenges come mainly when issues revolve around individuals or group and, at that point, the media, in its entirety, is overwhelmingly castigated over the perceived offence or professional misconduct of few practitioners.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Journalism practice in Nigeria is increasingly becoming difficult to situate within the mainstream of what journalism ought to be in the real sense of its professional practice as guided by its ethics. The concept of citizen journalism has further compounded the problem of properly defining the profession based on its ethical principles.

Today, there are internal and external factors that pose a great challenge to the practice of journalism as a profession. Arguably, studies have shown that the absence of a prescribed qualifying test has made it difficult to moderate the standard of journalism practice in Nigeria (Adaja, 2012; Oso, 2012).

The self-censorship syndrome, inducement through brown envelope, pressure from individuals, groups and organizations, laws and administrative decisions, poor remuneration for journalists, absence of technical know-how amongst others, have all combined to make the journalism profession a mockery of its standard of practice.

Certain inadequacies among the regulating bodies and non-professional filtration of yellow journalism practice and other unprofessional approaches to the profession have reduced and threatened the code of ethics upon which the journalism profession is expected to thrive.

It is on this premise that this study sought to investigate the ethical challenges of journalism practice in Nigeria, using the south-south states of Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states as focus areas, with a view to providing valuable solutions to the ugly trend.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

This study aims at evaluating the ethical challenges facing journalism practice in south-south Nigeria with a focus on Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States. Specifically, it seeks:

(1) To find out the extent to which internal factors influence journalism practice in south-south Nigeria.

(2) To ascertain the extent to which external factors influence journalism practice in south-south Nigeria.

(3) To determine how managerial incompetence influences journalism practice in south-south Nigeria.

(4) To find out how ethical challenges and non-professionalism affects journalism practice in south-south Nigeria.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions are formulated to guide the study:

(1) To what extent do the internal factors influence journalism practice in South South Zone of Nigeria

(2) To what extent do the external factors influence journalism practice in South-South Zone of Nigeria

(3) To what extent does managerial incompetence or otherwise influence journalism practice in South-South Zone of Nigeria

(4) How have ethical challenges and non-professionalism affect journalism practice in South-South Zone of Nigeria

1.5 Research Hypotheses

1) There is no significant relationship between internal factors influence and journalism practice in Nigeria

2) There is no significant relationship between external factors influence and journalism practice in Nigeria.

3) There is no significant relationship between managerial incompetence influence and the practice of journalism in Nigeria

4) There is no significant relationship between ethical challenges and non-professionalism effect on journalism practice in Nigeria.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This research is timely and it is imperative in the sense that ethical journalism practice must be observed to boost the strength of professionalism in Nigeria.

However, the research is good for administrators, government functionaries, legislators, House of Representative members and State Assemblies, State governors, Counselors, Local Government Chairmen and public servants as it provides a prescribed qualifying test that helps to moderate the relationship between journalists and representatives of these bodies.

It is significant to the news and media house owners, journalists, firms and business executives, organisations and corporate business, individuals and the general public. This is because it provides the needed impetus to boost professional standards in journalism practice based on its ethical principles.

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

The following terms are operationalized as used in this study:

Ethics: Set of concepts and principles that guide behaviours and conducts of a particular group of people (i.e. Journalists). They are also seen as motivation based on ideas of right and wrong.

Journalism: The process of gathering, processing, and disseminating of information to mass heterogeneous audience through the mass media. It also entails reporting or photographing or editing news stories for the media.

Practice: A way of operation that is customary. It is the exercise of a profession (i.e. Journalism Profession).

Challenges: Demanding situations that hinder the operations of journalists based on their principles of behavior and conduct of operation.