Abstract
this why media operations and professional journalism practice have constantly witnessed many undue , , and on many occasions, controls from media owners and government.
The reality of this phenomenon is that the practices of journalism and media objectivity are continually called into question.
Therefore, in order to clearly spell out the effect of ownership influence, this study ventures into assessing the effects of ownership on professional journalism practice in Nigeria, comparing such effect on private (Dream FM, Enugu) and public owned media (EBBC Ebonyi) houses.
The population of this study was derived from the two state and the sample (385) was generated using the Australian calculator. Survey and in- depth interview were used to gather data in this study.
The findings revealed that 299 respondents representing 77.7% of the sample size admitted that they noticed differences in the stations’ programme presentation.
Also, 330, representing 85.7% of the sample size believed ownership influence on the two stations is high, to find out whether dream FM and EBBC media professionals enjoy same amount of editorial freedom,
322 or 83.6% respondents believed that there exist discrepancies in the level of freedom enjoyed in the private and government stations.
The study further revealed that media professionals are under owners’ whims, majority representing 83.1% support this claim.
Introduction
Background Of Study
The mass media are fundamental in ensuring purposeful and peaceful co-existence in the society. They are indispensable to the success of most human endeavours.
Through their agenda-setting role, the mass media set the hierarchy of current issues, determine the extent of transmission and establish the terms of reference and limits of debate, which ultimately influence people’s actions, reactions, decisions, and judgments on the issues so raised.
However, the current trend in mass media practice has raised a controversy as to who really set the agenda – the media professionals or owners? (Nkereuwem, U., Nsikan, S., &Godspower U., 2014)
The media serve as the conduit for the various forms of interaction among the different facets of the society.
The strings of the interaction are normally controlled by many variables, such as the legal, ethical, political, socio-cultural, technological and economic factors.
DeFleur (1989) points out that the interaction is necessary so that certain unacceptable and disruptive behaviours are not exhibited in the society.
Emphasizing the influence of information in any human society, Daramola (1999:4) states that “it is now known to possess the capacity to shape the views and mould the minds of the people, to influence course of events and to pressure authority”.
Okunna(1999:108) posits that “the information function of the mass media is all embracing and indispensable for the meaningful existence of members of the society”.
References
Access info Europe report (2012). Transparency of media ownership in Europe: A report for the high-level group on media freedom and pluralism.
Adaja, T.A. (2011). The Nigerian media and the quest for probity and accountability in governance. A.A.U.: African Studies Review, vol. 10, 183 – 204.
Adaja, T.A. (2012). Nigerian journalism and professionalism: Issues and challenges.New Media and Mass Communication. Vol. 5, pp.15-51
Akhavan-Majid, R., Rife, A. &Gopinath, S. (1991). The effect of chain ownership on editorial independence: A case study of Gannett newspapers. Journalism Quarterly, 68(1/2), 59-66.
Akinfeleye, R. A. (1990). Nigerian media – Dialectic issues in Nigerian journalism.Lagos: Nelson Publishers Ltd
Akinfeleye, R.A. (2003). Fourth estate of the realm or forth estate of the wreck: Imperative of social responsibility of the press. Lagos: UNILAG Press
StudentsandScholarship Team
Be the first to comment