INFLUENCES OF MEDIA OWNERSHIP PATTERNS ON MEDIA FREEDOM AND PROFESSIONALISM IN NIGERIA.

INFLUENCES OF MEDIA OWNERSHIP PATTERNS ON MEDIA FREEDOM AND PROFESSIONALISM IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was intended to examine the influence of media ownership patterns on media freedom and professionalism in Nigeria. This study was guided by the following objectives; to examine the influence of media ownership pattern on media freedom in Nigeria, to examine the influence of media ownership pattern on media professionalism in Nigeria and to examine the problems faced by government and private owned media. The study employed the descriptive and explanatory 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 selected media firms in Lagos state. The study findings revealed that media ownership pattern has significant influence on media freedom and professionalism in Nigeria; based on the findings from the study, there should a strong regulatory body that protects journalists regardless of who owns the media they work for