ANALYSIS OF CHALLENGES FACING FREEDOMS OF INFORMATION IN NIGERIA

ANALYSIS OF CHALLENGES FACING FREEDOMS OF INFORMATION IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study was intended to analyse the challenges of facing freedom of information in Nigeria. This study was guided by the following objectives; to give the importance of press freedom in the development of democracy and the long history of the repression of press freedom in Nigeria a country with probably the most animated media environment in Africa, to x-ray the challenges of freedom of information and how journalists are being treated by the present government which limited the press as the fourth estate of the realm and to point out that press freedom is a major ingredient that press should enjoy during the democratic dispensation. The study employed the descriptive research design; questionnaires in addition to library research were applied in order to collect data. Primary and secondary data sources were used and data was analyzed using the chi square statistical tool at 5% level of significance which was presented in frequency tables and percentage. The respondents under the study were 100 staff of Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, Nigeria. The study findings revealed that the effect of government and ownerships infringement on press freedom has negative effective on the press; based on the findings from the study, efforts should be made by government to restraint relationship with the Nigerian press and should adopt the use of law-court in settling disputes with the press.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0   Background to the Study

The Press is the moulder of the society. Although this fact has been lashed with numerous criticisms, we cannot deny the fact that the press shapes the society. Most journalists are aware of this, so they determine, even to the extent of sacrificing their lives, to give the society what it desires and what it needs. The reporter who is scampering to meet a politician who has just alighted from an airplane; the reporter who is on a wired boat sailing into a remote mangrove to find out the extent of damage flood has wrecked in the area is trying to satisfy the society by informing the members of the society on what is happening around them.

The function of news gathering and news dissemination has not been a rosy one for the journalists. From the inception of journalism and newspaper publication in Nigeria. There has been a cat and mouse relationship between the press and the governments of all ages, whether military or civilian, except when the press allows itself to be cajoled, used and manipulated by the government to suit its whims and caprices.

The banning of newspapers and detention of journalist by government especially in the third world countries have been an old story. For example, the Nigeria government has at one time or the another banned or closed down most of the newspaper and magazine houses in Nigeria.

Most of the time it is prompted by the refusal of both the newspapers and magazines to take supreme position in reporting news that favours the government only and then agree to dance to the music of despotism. If the press is to carry out its job as a watch dog in society successfully. Obviously, from time to time it will pinch the government on the wrong side. When it exposes the government failure and in consistencies.

1.2   Statement of the Problem

This research is design to access the level of freedom enjoy by the press in Nigeria especially in freedom of information. It also intent to compare and contrast the freedom of information during the military era and this present democratic dispensation. The research focuses on various laws and legislations that hindered the freedom of information in Nigeria.