HOW EXISTING LAWS AND ETHICS IN NIGERIA AFFECTS THE OPERATIONS OF THE JOURNALIST

ABSTRACT

The thrust of this research project is to determine how existing laws and ethics in Nigeria affects the operations of the journalists. This is the goal of this study hence it is apthy titled.

The reason behind this was the realization of laws and ethics as essentials of journalism, but repressive laws and non-adherence to the ethics of the profession are cost in the wheil of achieving responsible and viable  journalism practice.

This work is divided into five chapters. Chapter one focused on the background of study and fundamental frameworks for arriving at a valid and reliable scientific inquiring.

Chapter two dealt with literature review the purpose to glean from releant literature in order to place the study within the perspective of accumulated scholarly and  intellectual knowledge.

Chapter three covered the research methodology that guided the study.

Chapter four encompasses the presentation of relevant data and analysis. Four hypothesis were tested using chi-square goodness of fat test.

The four hypothesis formulated and test received empirical and statistical support. The validation of the hypothesis is an indicator or dissatisfaction of existing laws in the country by journalists and appreciations of ethics as desirable self control mechanism.

 

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page                                                          II

Approval page                                                    III

Dedication                                                         IV

Acknowledgement                                              V

Abstract                                                             VI

Table of contents                                                        VIII

CHAPTER ONE –

INTRODUCTION

• Background of study 1
• Statement of research problem 1
• Objectives of study 5
• Significance of study 5
• Research questions 6
• Hypothesis 7
• Conceptual and operational definition of terms9
• Assumption 15
• Limitation of the study 15

CHAPTER TWO= LITERATURE REVIEW

• sources of literature 17
• the review 17
• the summary of literature review 35

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

• research method 38
• research design 39
• research sample 39
• measuring instrument 40
• data collection 41
• data analysis and interpretation 42
• expected results 43

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS

• analysis of data 44
• presentation of results
• discussion of findings 52

CHAPTER FIVE, SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY

• SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 53
• RECOMMENDATION 54

BIBLIOGRAPHY                                           57

APPENDIX                                                 59

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• BACKGROUND OF STUDY

The Nigerian press started with the establishment of Iwe Irohim in Abeokuta by Reverend Henry Townsend in 1859. during that period, other pioneers who followed the foot steps of Townsend were dexendarits of freed slaves from sierraleon who had settled in Lagos. They contributed greatly to the Nigerian press. Since they operated under the colonial government, it was natural that their newspaper became vehicles for purchasing independence and liberalization in the governance of the country.

According to Onu (1979), the press during colonial rule attacked many policies and personalities in the government. As media criticisms mounted, measures to and the assumed press excesses became inevitable. In other words, the history of the Nigerian press law shows that the laws were not really there when the press first started. The first known law came into existence in 1903. this was the newspaper ordinance No. 10 of 1903, which contained provisions for regulating the publications news paper in what was the northern Nigeria, as there was practically no circulation in northern Nigeria at that time. But with the passage of time, the press in Nigeria has passed through various governments; colonial, military and civilian. And t he governments have always enacted come regulations laws and decrees to guide against what is termed the excesses of the press. The press all over the world is regards as powerful instrument for social change. Governments across the globe dread them. They can bring leaders and can as well be a powerful resource for leaders. Right from the colonial period till date, the controversy surrounding the power and the effects of media is not  abating. Uwnah (1991) made the following evaluations of the Nigeria press from the colonial era to the present.

1. The press in colonial Nigeria ………. Was powerful as they fought for civil rights and liberties for Nigerians. The press also apitated for equal employment opportunities and political independence.
2. The press during independence …….. Nigeria was pre-occuped with the enhancement of regional autonomies the promotion of the sectional independence, tribal and individual interests. These selfish goals severely affected the success and performance of the independent press.
3. The press during t he civil was………was propargandist, partisan and subjective.
4. The press in Gowon, Murtala/obasanjo regimes…… was characterized by press psychophancy and recklessness.
5. The press in the second republic was …..highly political partisan, press psychophancy was so pervasive that objectively, truthfulness, fair comments and criticisms were relegated to the background….. press partisanship and psycholphancy contributed to economic, social, moral and political decadence of Nigeria.

The foregoing clearly defines the overwhelming need for journalists to exhibit the highest professional standards in Nigerian journalism Bel-Molokwu et al (1990) supports this thesis thus; “ It behaves all mass  communication, more so, the fledglins of the field, to try to understand, even if superficially, what standards are expected of them not only by their colleagues and employers, but by the society at large. Though on professionalism in mass communication dates back to the earliest days of journal writers and even the early philosophers  pontifed at length about what type of conduct, what compartment, what moral standards, what ethical streams should guide the writers and what societal stance should behave the journalists”. From a historical perspective, Amataokwu (1989) wrote, “ awareness of the constraints which the rejectable history has put on mature and open minded press would persuade the journalist to see the need to rise above the fanlty instructions of historical establishment  of a press that is divided by sectional considerations, and move towards a nation-oriented press”.

In journalism, the ethics and laws that are there to achieve self regulation are as old as the journalism profession itself. So the pivotal aim is to determine the extent to which these laws and ethics impinge on the practice of journalism profession.

1.3    OBJECTIVE OF STUDY

1. To find out how ethics and laws affect the practice of journalism in the country.
2. To see if it is possible to find a middle-ground so that the government and the press will see each other as partners in progress.

iii.     To determine the extent to which the ethical standard are necessary inspite of numerous press laws, for the practice of journalism.

• SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study is significant in the following ways:

1. It will be of great benefit to journalist to academics and to other mass communication professionals.
2. It will shed light on areas of government pres conflicts with a view of finding an equitable co-existence.

iii.     the study will contribute towards building an independent, objective and socially responsible press, by highlighting constraints to press freedom and advocating measures to bring about that.

• RESEARACH QUESTIONS

The pertinent questions this study will address are:

1. Why is it that successive governments in Nigeria have always attempted to muzzle the press?
2. What are the effects of press laws on media contents?

• Are Nigerian governments faithful to the ethics of their profession?

1. Are ethical standards necessary for the practice of journalism Inspite of numerous press laws?
2. Why do government go beyond using press laws to employ extra- judicial powers in dealing with press?
   • HYPOTHESIS

NOTE; H₁ => positive hypothesis

H₀ => Negative/Null hypothesis

H_i existing laws have turned the press into mere megaphones of the government

H₀ existing laws have not turned the press into mere megaphones of the government

H₁ Ethics helps to regulate and sunitize.

According to Okunna (1995), the concept of ethics has a very long history dating back perhaps to the beginning of human existence. Philosophers believe that the concept of moral, must have existed in more or less unreflective forum, from the time of living in group by human beings initially.

In all t he countries of the world that have media organizations, regulatory bodies are in existence to help in regulating and overlooking the conduct of these organistions.

This body is known in Nigeria as the Nigeria mass media commission.

Ethics is concerned mainly with the values of human conduct set by journalists actions in determining what is “right” or “wrong”, “good” or “bad”.

These ethical standards set by men and laws tend to put journalists under pressure. Ethics unlike laws only have the force of moral suasion. Evidence and abound of violations by the journalists. Like every situation concerning human institutions, there is no perfect situation. Ethics are ideas that appeal to reason and conscience.

The effects of these laws and ethics on journalism professional practice is what the researcher  tends to find out, so that at the end, the society will know if the press is trying to live up to it’s expectation or if their investigative powers is muzzled by the government they set out to serve.

• STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

There are so many definitions of ethics and laws. Some say ethics also define laws as rules made by the government itself. Going by these definitions, you will notice that journalists have lots of regulation around them in order to achieve ends that are not against those regulations.  The result is that the press is no longer disposed to give in-depth account of events to the people neither can it comment objectively on certain important national issues. Most of what we have in our nation today are mere praise songs of the government and it’s officials, and if the press tries to do otherwise, journalism as a professional practice will be jeopardized of a community: rule of conduct or actions prescribed or formality recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority.

Operational: The number of binding rules enforceable in the law courts that impinge on the practice of journalism in Nigeria.

5. REGULATION

conceptual; Rules and principles prescribed for conduct.

Operational :The number of laws and guiding principles that affect the operations of the press in Nigeria.

6. SANITATION

conceptual: An acceptable situation devoid of unpleasant and undesired features.

Operational: The degree to which journalism ethics foster pleasant atmosphere for practicing journalism in Nigeria.

7. HAMPER;

conceptual: To restrict the movement of bends or obstacles, impede, to interfere with the operation of disrupt.

Operational: The number of restrictive laws that disrupts the operational of Nigerian newspapers and magazines

8. EXTRA-JUDICIAL POWERS

conceptual : The ability to actor produce effect in contravention of due process of law.

Operational : the degree of arrest and detention of journalists without nial, science of newspapers and magazines by security agents and other violations of fundamental human and legal right  of journalisms practice in Nigeria.

9      ETHICAL STANDARDS

conceptual: Established customs or general consent as a model or example accepted by a professional group as a basis of conduct.

Operational: The level of conformity to the accepted professional standards

of conduct by Nigeria journalists.

10. PRESS LAWS

conceptual: Rules of conduct or action affecting the gathering and publishing or broadcasting of news prescribed or formality recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority.

Operational: The number of laws the practice of journalism in the country.

H₀ Ethics do not help to regulate and sanitize the practice of journalism in the country

H_i Existing laws in the country tend to hamper journalism practice.

H₀ Existing laws in the country do not tend to hamper journalism in the country.

H_i It is expedient for government to employ extra-judicial powers than resort to laws courts in dealing with the press.

H₀ It is not expedient for government to employ extra-judicial powers than to resort to laws courts, in dealing with the press.

H₁ Successive governments attempt at muzzling the press is in order to maintain legitimacy and remain in power.

• CONCEPTUAL AND OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS OF TERMS;

1. ETHICS

conceptual: Ethics are all these rules and guidelines which are designed to regulate the actors of human beings as they make moral decisions.

Operational: The number of rules as guidelines which are designed to regulate the actions of journalists in Nigeria in making “right” or” wrong” Moral decision.

2. JOURNALISM PRACTICE

conceptual: The continous exercise of collecting and editing of news for representations in Nigeria.

Operational: The work of collecting, writing and publishing material in newspapers and magazines or on television and radio.

 

3. GOVERNMENT MEGAPHONES

conceptual:  Newspapers and magazines are used as devices to project and intensity the organization, machinery or agency through which political unit exercises authority and performs functions

operational: The extent to which newspapers and magazines in Nigeria serve as devices for projecting and intensifying the voices, views and positions of political office holders and political institutions in control and authority in Nigeria.

4. LAWS

conceptual: Binding customs or practices specifically designed to regulate the practices and gathering polishing of news in Nigeria

11. FAITHFULNESS

conceptual: Firm in adherence to promises or observance of duty.

Operational The degree to which Nigerian journalists adhere to or observe the guiding reveals of conduct in their profession.

12. MUZZLING:-

conceptual: Something (as censor stop) that restrains normal expression.

Operational: The member of laws and extra judicial actions established and undertaken respectively by a particular government in Nigeria to restrain normal function of the press.

13. MEDIA CONTENTS

conceptual: The topic or matters treated in the agencies of mass communication.

Operational: The member and frequency of news published that one artics of a particular government in Nigeria.

• ASSUMPTION

1. It is assumed that the existing law and Ethics in Nigeria affect the operations of the journalist.
2. It is a assumed that every journalist will safe guard the freedom, the press.
3. It is also assumed that the journalise will be free from any obligation that may affect his or her ability to repose the ones objective.

1.9    LIMITATIONS

this study aims at assessing the influence of ethics and press laws on journalism practice, in other words, we cannot but depend on the truthfulness of the respondents as this is a common problem with study that we use question have as measuring instrument. More so, due to problem of  time, physical energy finance and other constraints, the study will be limited to journalists in Enugu metropolis.

Download our android mobile app for more materials

ORDER NOW

COMPLETE MATERIAL  COST  N2,500 Or $10.  FRESH  PROJECT MATERIAL  COST 50,000 NAIRA FOR UNDERGRADUATE, OTHERS 100,000 -200,000 NAIRA.

THE NATURE AND CONSEQUENCES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF ENUGU NORTH LGA, ENUGU STATE

Foreign Transaction For Dollars Payment :
Bank Name: GTBank
Branch Location: Enugu State,Nigeria.
Account Name: Chi E-Concept Int’l
 Account Number:  0117780667. 
Swift Code: GTBINGLA 
Dollar conversion rate for Naira is 175 per dollar. 

ATM CARD:  YOU CAN ALSO MAKE PAYMENT USING YOUR ATM CARD OR ONLINE TRANSFER. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR BANK SECURITY FOR GUIDE ON HOW TO TRANSFER MONEY TO OTHER BANKS USING YOUR ATM CARD. ATM CARD OR ONLINE BANK TRANSFER IS FASTER FOR QUICK DELIVERY TO YOUR EMAIL . OUR MARKETER WILL RESPOND TO YOU ANY TIME OF THE DAY. WE SUPPORT CBN CASHLESS SOCIETY. 

OR
PAY ONLINE USING YOUR ATM CARD. IT IS SECURED AND RELIABLE.

form>DELIVERY PERIOD FOR BANK PAYMENT IS  LESS THAN 24 HOURS

CALL OUR  CUSTOMERS CARE  OKEKE CHIDI C ON :  08074466939,08063386834.

AFTER PAYMENT SEND YOUR PAYMENT DETAILS TO

08074466939 or 08063386834, YOUR PROJECT TITLE  YOU WANT US TO SEND TO YOU, AMOUNT PAID, DEPOSITOR NAME, UR EMAIL ADDRESS,PAYMENT DATE. YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR MATERIAL IN LESS THAN 2 HOURS ONCE WILL CONFIRM YOUR PAYMENT.

WE HAVE SECURITY IN OUR BUSINESS.   

MONEY BACK GUARANTEE