ABSTRACT
This research study focused on examining the extent to which broadcast journalists in Kogi State are aware of and utilize the t, 2011.
The study had several objectives, which included determining the level of awareness of the FOI Act among broadcast journalists in Kogi State, investigating whether these journalists utilize the provisions of the Act in their news gathering activities, identifying the challenges associated with implementing the Act, and proposing ways to improve its functionality.
The research used a survey design and collected data from 217 broadcast journalists selected purposively from five in Kogi State.
The results showed that more than half of the respondents were aware of the Act to a large extent, but the extent to which they utilized it in their journalistic work was low.
Various factors were identified as limiting the implementation of the Act, including the non-domestication of the Act in Kogi State, unclear definition of operational jurisdiction, too many exceptions, non-commitment of the government, poor cooperation from public officers who keep custody of , inability to carry state assemblies along in the passage of the act, and lack of perseverance on the part of journalists.
The study recommended that the Act should be repealed and re-enacted and domesticated by the various state governments in Nigeria to make it more functional.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page – – – – – – – – – – i
Certification page – – – – – – – – – ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgment – – – – – – – – – iv
Table of contents – – – – – – – – – v
List of tables – – – – – – – – – – viii
List of figures – – – – – – – – – ix
Abstract – – – – – – – – – – x
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study – – – – – – – 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem – – – – – – – 5
1.3 Objectives of the Study – – – – – – – – 6
1.4 Research Question – – – – – – – – 6
1.5 Significance of the Study – – – – – – – 6
1.6 Scope of Study – – – – – – – – – 7
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms – – – – – – 7
References – – – – – – – – – – 9
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Focus of Review – – – – – – – – 10
2.2 Conceptual Review – – – – – – – – 10
2.2.1 Broadcast Media Conceptualized – – – – – – 10
2.2.2. Press Freedom and Freedom of Information Act in Nigeria – – 12
2.2.3 The Freedom of Information Act in Nigeria – – – – 15
2.2.4 Challenges to the Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act – 18
2.3 Review of Empirical Studies – – – – – – – 20
2.4 Theoretical Framework – – – – – – – – 27
References – – – – – – – – – – 30
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1. Research Design – – – – – – – – 32
3.2 Population of the study – – – – – – – – 33
3.3 Sample Size – – – – – – – – – 34
3.4 Sampling Technique – – – – – – – – 36
3.5 Research Instruments – – – – – – – – 37
3.6 Method of Administration of Instruments – – – – – 37
3.7 Validity and Reliability of the Instruments – – – – – 38
3.8 Method of Data Analysis – – – – – – – 38
References – – – – – – – – – – 39
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
4.1 Data presentation – – – – – – – – 40
4.2 Discussion of findings – – – – – – – – 53
References – – – – – – – – – – 56
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary – – – – – – – – – – 57
5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – – – 58
5.3 Recommendation – – – – – – – – 58
Bibliography – – – – – – – – 60
APPENDIX
Appendix 1: Questionnaire – – – – – – 64
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Globally, access to relevant information is a crucial component of effective journalism practice. For journalists, information is comparable to raw materials for manufacturers, as it is necessary to refine information gathered from society and then disseminate it back to the community with the ultimate goal of improving it.
The right to information has been significantly bolstered by Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), which grants everyone the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the ability to seek, receive, and share information and ideas through any media, regardless of borders.
Similarly, Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria empowers the press to uphold the fundamental objectives contained within the chapter and ensures that the government is responsible and accountable to the people.
Furthermore, Section 39 of the same constitution guarantees that every individual has the right to freedom of expression, which includes the ability to hold opinions, as well as to receive and share ideas and information without interference.
Nevertheless, while Section 39 of the Nigerian constitution provides for freedom of expression, Section 45 counters this by stating that nothing in Sections 37, 38, 39, 40, and 41 of any law that is not justified by the constitution in a democratic society is invalid.
This implies that the government can create and implement any law it deems reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.
The researcher proposes that one of the actions the government should take is to review the existing Act and potentially repeal and re-enact it to address any oversights in the current legislation.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Asemah, S.E,Gujbawu,M.,Ekhareafo ,D. & Okpanachi,A.R.(2012).Research methods and procedures in mass communication. Jos: Great Futures press.
Babbie, E. (2013). The practice of social research (13thed). US: Wadsworth Publishing company
DeFleur, M.L. (2010). Mass communication theories: Explaining origins, processes and effects. New York: Allyn and Bacon.
Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 constitution (as amended). Abuja: Federal republic of Nigeria.
Federal Republic of Nigeria.(2001). National youth policy and strategic action plan. Abuja: Federal Republic of Nigeria.
McQuail, D.,( 2005). Mass communication theory. New York: Sage Publications. Ohaja, E.U. (2003). Mass communication research and project writing report. Lagos: John letterman limited
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