AUDIENCE PERCEPTION OF THE ATTITUDE OF MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS TO THE REPORTING OF CORRUPTION
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AUDIENCE PERCEPTION OF THE ATTITUDE OF MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS TO THE REPORTING OF CORRUPTION
Chapter one
Introduction
Background of the study.
Corruption is a global problem, with almost no society free of corrupt behaviours. In Nigeria, it has become a cankerworm, eating deep into the country’s socioeconomic and political progress.
Corruption cases are prominently reported in the Nigerian media on a regular basis, as the trend continues to benefit millions of people while a small number of privileged individuals enrich themselves.
Transparency International and other important organisations that monitor corrupt practices around the world have classified Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, as high on the corruption scale.
They have nothing positive to say about Nigeria at all. High corruption rankings harm practically all Nigerians who migrate to other nations, as foreigners believe that if Nigeria is corrupt, so are all Nigerians.
For a long time, successive Nigerian governments have struggled with the issue of corruption and its consequences for modern society. The broadcast media, with its social responsibility duty, has been essential in covering corrupt situations in several areas of the Nigerian economy.
Broadcast media is defined as the electronic equipment of radio and television stations, networks, and cable televisions. Aside from education, information, entertainment, and persuasive purposes, the medium has a pervasive influence in society due to its ability to reach a vast number of people and break the barrier of illiteracy.
Pringle (1991, p.17) suggested that broadcast media, particularly news papers such as the Vanguard daily, is advantageous because it reaches the grassroots, is portable, has an immediacy in information distribution, and transmits a diverse range of programmes.
The current worrisome level of corruption in Nigeria has given the country a bad reputation in the international community and among global anti-corruption organisations. Nigeria is widely regarded as one of the world’s most corrupt countries.
This terrible tendency has worried successive Nigerian governments and citizenry. This has led to the proclamation of an all-out war on corruption in the country.
As a result, anti-corruption agencies such as the Independent Corruption Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (lCPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been formed to battle and remove corruption in Nigeria.
What may be in doubt is the government’s and other stakeholders’ sincerity and commitment to fighting corruption in Nigeria. It’s no surprise that Nigeria continues to have a high level of corruption.
In its editorial on April 19, 2010, Newswatch states, “Corruption is a common theme in Nigeria. It’s become a way of life. The uncovering of fraud is an everyday occurrence.
People are discovered, arrested, and then taken to the relevant investigative authorities as required by law, before returning to their normal lives. People are rarely penalised, therefore no one sees anything wrong with misusing public cash.
The media has been referred to be the fourth estate of the realm. In accordance with position, section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria gives to the mass media the task of upholding the responsibility and accountability of government to citizens.
The media and civil society groups have been regarded as crucial weapons in the battle against corruption around the world. Nigeria has become a country that celebrates wrong over good, lies over truth, and personal irresponsibility over fundamental ideals.
It is a country that promotes policies that do not value human life and thrive on materialism, power, and pleasure. It is a place where men and women of honour, experience, credibility, and self-consciousness have been removed from their prime for daring to speak.
It is a place where crooks are shielded by those in authority and leaders are not elected by the people. Undoubtedly, Nigeria is a breeding ground for corruption.
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