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.
1. Enugu Television (ETV) = Channel 50 UHF
2. Radio FM (1) = 585KHz in the medium wave band
3. Radio FM (2) = 96.1MHz in the FM band
4. 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:
i.
To find
out how objectively
the ESBS discharges
its duty in
the light of
government ownership and
control.
ii.
To identify
ways by which
their objectivity has
affected the stations
status.
iii.
To offer
suggestions on how
government owned media
should be handled
to achieve better
result.
iv.
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.
1.7 ASSUMPTIONS
In undertaking this research, we are assuming as follows:
i. In influence of government is hindering the progress of ESBS Radio.
ii. ESBS programmes are reminiscent of the stations tie to Enugu state government and it lacks objectivity.
iii. Government influence on the station is helping it to lose its credibility.
iv. The advertisers are shunning the station.
v. The undue control from government house hinders optimal performance of media practitioners.
vi.
That absence
of government inference
will ensure media
objectivity.
1.8 CONCEPTUAL AND OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
i.
Government is
a body with the
power to direct
or control the
public affairs of
a country . It
refers to institution
or agency of
the state responsible
for ruling the
country.
ii.
Objectivity is
the ability to be free
from personnel prejudice
and impartiality . It
also refers to
the situation in
news coverage where
facts are reported without
bias.
iii. Mass media are devices for moving messages across distance and time to accomplish mass communication. The major mass media in modern society are books, magazines, newspapers, motion pictures, radio and television.
iv.
Propaganda is
mass communication content
whether news stories,
advertisements, dramas, jingles
and so on. That is
deliberately designed to
change the beliefs,
attitudes or behaviors
of an audience.
v.
Broadcasting is
the dissemination of
messages via transmission
over radio or
television for reception.
1.9 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
In the course of this undertaking, were often challenging with problem of time as time limited was shared between attending normal classes and running around in search of relevant data.
We particularly encounter problem in getting our respondents permit us to access relevant information regarding their operation. The ESBS staff especially felt that divulging such information would be at their own detriment.
Finally, our inability to study other stations such as the ESBS television arm is due to time and financial constraints.
"EFFECTS OF GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF MASS MEDIA ON MEDIA OBJECTIVITY(A CASE STUDY OF ESBS)"
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