INFLUENCE OF NEWS CENSORSHIP ON THE PERFORMANCE OF MEDIA HOUSES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study is on influence of news censorship on the performance of media houses in Nigeria. The total population for the study is 200 staff of Nasarawa state broadcasting corporation. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made broadcasters, news correspondents, editors and junior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies

 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the study

The primary function of the mass media is to provide information, escapism, and entertainment, give self-worth and link different societies to other societies. (Ndolo, 2006).In any country, the media is expected to be the voice of the voiceless and to seek justice, which is the true nature of journalism. The media, in the performance of its duty is expected to be neutral, objective and balanced. However, achieving this has proven to be difficult due to some factors, the most significant of all, being censorship of the media. In Nigeria, as well as other developing countries, freedom is still elusive based on historical information. The media began without any definite statutory control. For instance, the first documented newspaper „IweIroyin (1859)‟ was p regulating the activities of publishers. Although this unregulated situation did not remain unchecked as the government grew increasingly unsettled by media content. It experienced occasional interruption by the then colonial government. This unrest increased with the emergence of nationalist papers and the need for media independence became inevitable. Since the attainment of independence in 1960, the mass media have been attributed to extra-legal control measures imposed on them to restrict their social responsibilities. It was more felt during the military regime. Since 1999, the role the media played in ushering in democracy cannot be over-emphasized as they helped to inform, educate and serve as watchdog over the society. In spite of this, it is obvious that the disposition of the society towards the media have not been favourable. Hence, there is need for this research, to find out the extent and influence of news censorship on the performance of media.

Historical Background of Nasarawa Broadcasting Service

In 1959, when the then premier of Western region of Nigeria established a broadcasting station. It has become the practice in Nigeria for states to own their broadcasting stations. Desirous of the need to provide social service by way of educating, enlightening, entertaining and informing the general public of government programmes and activities, the Nasarawa State government enacted an Edict No 19 of 1998, establishing Nasarawa Broadcasting Service NBS. Nasarawa Broadcasting Service had its pioneers staff deployed from Plateau Radio and Television (PRTV) Jos. The station‟s name was by the first military administrator Late Wing Commander Abdullah Ibrahim. Nasarawa Broadcasting Service started transmission in February 1997 at the temporary state secretariat along Shendam Road Lafia. Nasarawa Broadcasting Service is a two in one broadcast outfit (Radio and Television) and operates on a 2kilowatts transmitter (Itelco product) supplied by Kris OnyeKwuluje of Lagos. Nasarawa Broadcasting Service was found to be using the same frequency as Hot 93.5 FM in Abuja and was letter changed to 97.1 FM by NBC in 1997.