OPIONION OF MEDIA PROFESSIONALS ON HAZARDS OF JOURNALISM PRACTICE IN AKWA IBOM STATE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
The practice of journalism in Akwa Ibom State has been a function of manipulation probably as a result of conspicuous hazards. Journalists are often confronted with threats due to politicization of the profession.
Akala (2003) posits that the media personnel is not adequately protected and backed by legitimate laws that forbids excessive proliferation of media houses whose pre-occupation is usually quackery. By quackery in journalism, Akala (2003) explains it as a situation where authentic facts are suppressed and substituted with personal biases due to monetary gains.
In like manner, Uwaks (2005:16) says:
Mass media practitioners are regarded as fourth estate of the realm due to their watchdog roles of exposing and reporting policies and activities of government and its agencies.
She goes on to explain that with the ongoing politicalization of the agencies and the uneasy influence of government on activities of the mass media personnel, the much expected function tend to be completely defeated.
One could therefore submit that the terrain of mass media practice in Akwa Ibom State is a subject of debate. While Avis (1992) finds faults with government for spates of attack on media practitioners and the closure of media houses, Manak (2011:17) says:
… Media personnel tend to possess an insatiable quest for materialistic tendencies, and thus desire to sell out integrity, objectivity and sensitivity to our desperate politicians.
She goes on to describe the scenario as unpalatable as it cannot be equated with the practice of journalism in Western countries. It is believed that years of military authoritarianism could have equally contributed to making media unstable and vulnerable to corruption.
One reason which gives semblance of sale-out of professional ethics is the inability of the media to divorce itself completely from government due to a number of factors.
Benson, Davis (2010) says the cause of such development is that:
- Media houses depend largely on advertisement as source of funding whose greater percentage comes from government.
- Government and its agencies make above sixty percent of news stories thus tightening the knobs of practitioners continued dependence on government.
- It is the government that makes the enactments that regulate operations of the media.
This development makes the relationship between the media and government to become marriage of convenience. That is, due to direct influence of government on the media, it behoove on the media to reciprocate by overlooking lapses on the part of government, thereby ignoring its watchdog roles.
But in Akwa Ibom State, it could be that at least a percentage of the privately owned media attempt to exert independence while a greater percentage, in line with the submission above, depend on government for survival.
Udoidem (20110 comments thus,
The media personnel in Akwa Ibom State have been subjected to recurrent dependence on government. The result of this romance is that stories are fine-tuned to suit the government and its machineries.
Amaowo (2001) in his observation says:
The terrain of media practice in Akwa Ibom State is tuned to professionalism and freedom of expression where reporters are accorded free hands to air out views and opinions in all its practice. A typical example is a newspaper called Global Concord whose stories are usually anti-government.
This study therefore is wholly directed at holistically exploring and examining opinions of media experts on hazards of journalism and Akwa Ibom State.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
In whatever way one looks at it, the practice of journalism in Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State inclusive, is filled with hazards that has reduced journalists to scape goats in the hands of both government, individuals and groups.
Incessant killings of journalists have become a recurring decimal. About three years ago, Fresh Facts editor was kidnapped in Abuja and taken to Akwa Ibom by people suspected to be agents of government. Besides, the kidnapping of four journalists in 2011 was seen as a strain that broke the back of journalism in Nigeria. This has however sent goose pimples down the spines of media practitioners in the country, including Akwa Ibom State.
Despite this scenario, it would not be out of place to believe that what journalists pass through today is an improved version of their experience in the hands of previous governments, particularly the military governments. This is probably due to the recent signing of Freedom of Information Bill (FOI Bill) into law by President Goodluck Jonathan.
However, in Akwa Ibom State, the terrain is practically unclear as opinion of media experts is a mixture of sentiment. While some opinionate freedom of expression as encapsulated in the free press theory others believe that freedom of expression/information is only a theory which is not in actual practice. This study raises question like: What is the opinion of media practitioners to journalism practice in Akwa Ibom State? Is the terrain familiar?
1.3 Objective of the Study
This study sees to:
- Know the opinion of media professionals regarding journalism practice in Akwa Ibom State.
- Assess the terrain of media practice in Akwa Ibom State.
- Evaluate whether government has any influence on media terrain in the State.
- Know diverse problems confronting effective media practice in Akwa Ibom State.
- Assess measures of enhancing effectiveness in the media in Akwa Ibom State.
1.4 Research Questions
This study raises the following questions:
- What is the opinion of media professionals regarding journalism practice in Akwa Ibom State?
- What is the terrain of media practice in Akwa Ibom State?
- Does government has any influence on media terrain in the State?
- What are the problems confronting effective media practice in Akwa Ibom State?
- What are the measures of enhancing effectiveness in the media?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
This study has the following hypothesis:
- There is no significant relationship between media terrain and effective media practice in Akwa Ibom State.
- Media professionals have a negative opinion regarding media practice in Akwa Ibom State.
- Government does not forcefully influence the effectiveness of media practice in Akwa Ibom State.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This study would be of immense usefulness to media practitioners, the government and related researchers on media practice in the State. It would be a compendium that will display arrays of opinions regarding whether or not the terrain of media practice in Akwa Ibom State is friendly and smooth.
The government would also find the findings of this research a working tool in its opinion survey and media assessment in Akwa Ibom State. With this work, efforts to improve upon effectiveness in the communication sector shall be reinforced.
This study will equally stimulate other researches in related disciplines. In this case it will serve as measure of secondary data collection.
1.7 Delimitation of the Study
The scope of the study is on media professionals opinion on journalism practice in Akwa Ibom State. It looks at all the media houses modus operandi as well as their weakness, strength and hindrances. It focuses on Akwa Ibom State.
1.8 Limitation of the Study
This study was limited by a member of factors, importantly, finance. The amount of money required to facilitate this research was relatively exorbitant.
Moreover, the non-challenge attitude of respondents in responding to questions administered was another challenge. Some of them were adamant in divulging the needed information.
The time frame earmarked for this research work was relatively insufficient going by the vast areas of the study. This therefore posed a reasonable challenge to the research.
Above all, the study has a confrontation in gathering data, predominantly the secondary data. The data were gotten primarily from textbooks, journals, research documents amongst others.
1.9 Definition of Terms
The following terms are defined as they were used in the research:
- Mass Media: These are communication outfits that use electronic devices to process information which are sent to large, heterogeneous audience.
- Media Professionals: These are experts in media business or those engage in mass communication practice and are regard in high esteem due to their experience and exposure.
- Journalism: This refers to the practice of sending and receiving information, using the mass media to a large audience.
