HAZARDS OF JOURNALISM PROFESSION UNDER THE MILITARY REGIME (1993 – 1998)
Need help with a related project topic or New topic? Send Us Your Topic
DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE PROJECT MATERIAL
HAZARDS OF JOURNALISM PROFESSION UNDER THE MILITARY REGIME (1993 – 1998)
ABSTRACT
The basic theoretical foundation for this study is to examine the legal problems/dangers associated with journalistic practice in Nigeria under military rule, with a focus on General Sani Abacha’s government.
The study found that thousands of journalists were imprisoned and incarcerated, leaving little or no opportunity for the pursuit of TRUTH, which is the hallmark of the media profession. Sometimes they lose their life while on the job.
It went on to review the relevant literature in order to provide meaning to the effort.
To meet the study’s objectives, content analysis was employed as a research approach to clearly demonstrate the manifest content of the media.
It is an information technique that focusses on the historical study of existing information gathered from newspapers, periodicals, recordings, or any other source that can ensure the persistence of information. Using this research process, I was able to analyse data and reach a reasonable conclusion.
It was discovered that there could be no meaningful engagement between the government and the people if journalists were not permitted to function freely.
When journalists are intimidated, they are unable to authentically reflect society to those in authority and inform the public about what people in power think or do.
Chapter one
INTRODUCTION
Background of the study
The journalism industry in Nigeria has a number of challenges, particularly under the military rule. There has been no seamless romance between journalists and the administration in power; rather, the journalist in question has faced harassment and detention without trial. The government’s constant implementation of restrictive press laws has created these hazards/dangers for the profession.
The masses rely on journalists for knowledge about what is going on in their immediate surroundings; thus, journalists serve as a link between rulers and the ruled. As a result, any poor treatment of journalists has an impact not only on those in the profession, but also on the attitude and behaviour of the Nigerian people as a whole.
As a result, the dangerous character of the journalism profession during the military era should be investigated in order to deter the population from accepting anything like military authority in Nigerian society.
It was argued that the worst administration in a democratic system is considerably superior to the best administration in a military government.
Despite the fact that certain legal/professional techniques were used to check and curtail journalists’ excesses, the military, when in power, was known for chaining journalists with draconian laws, obnoxious decrees, sack threats, and the elimination and constant proscription of media outlets. Journalists may witness and hear evil, and such incidents will be sealed to ensure that they do not lose their lives or jobs.
News watch publications, which were the toast of Nigerians due to their fearlessness, independent viewpoints, and radical approaches to issues, were put to an end when their editor-in-chief was assassinated by letter bomb burst, followed by a proscription six months later.
When the right to free expression is guaranteed, some stings are tied to it, preventing journalists from being free. In some government media organisations, the noble profession is obliged to dance to the tune of their ‘lords’. They are expected to imperil their lives while attempting to educate others about the ethics of their trade.
It became a source of concern at one point because of how journalists were being intimidated and the smart method in which government officials denied their own statements in the face of the obvious reality. The ruling government initially embraces the profession in order to create it, but then turns against it. Because journalists are willing to confront their injustices, they (the military) turn to scrutinise and weaken the press excessively through the accumulation of irritating legislation.
Statement of Research Problem
Typically, during a military rule, more government-owned media were expected than privately owned media. As of Abacha’s reign, there were approximately six journalism schools and numerous mass communication departments. As of the time of review, there were over sixty and fifty radio/television stations, respectively, as well as over 157 newspapers and magazines.
With all of this, there should be the existence of a flawless journalistic profession because they are adequately trained in polished languages, balanced and fair reporting, and so on.
However, it was noted that examples of journalist arrests by security agents, as well as employment losses under stated and unwritten objectionable laws, remained the characteristic of any military rule, even when constitutions provided for such basic human rights and freedoms by the government.
The evidence was evident in the Abacha regime’s announcement of establishing a special court to try charged journalists sometime in 1997. Seeing all of the dangers, the journalist decides to dance to the government’s whims or write himself into jail.
With this, issues arise as to whether the journalism profession is still worthwhile in light of the hazards it faces, whether journalists are truly free, and whether journalists have neglected journalism ethics and ideals.
GOALS OF THE STUDY
The purpose of the investigation should be to discover:
i. The dangers that face the journalistic profession during the era under examination.
ii. If it is unethical to criticise government policies, activities, or public officials.
iii. The implications of such extra-journalistic laws for the Nigerian journalism profession.
Significance of the Study
i. To persuade journalists, future journalists, and the rest of Nigerian society that military governance is not acceptable.
ii. The study will also broaden the perspectives of mass communication students, particularly those planning to enter the profession, on their rights and obligations as journalists.
RESEARCH QUESTION:
This study will address the following questions about the hazards posed to the journalism profession, particularly while military personnel are in control.
i. Does the military government adhere to the constitution whenever it is in power?
ii. Do journalists in Nigeria have unrestricted access to information sources?
iii. Are Nigerians content with the treatment that journalists receive while on duty?
iv. Do Nigeria’s problematic press laws undermine press freedom?
v. Do Nigerian journalists adhere to the imagination of such standards and practices?
vi. Is there freedom of expression and press during the Abcha regime?
Research Hypotheses
The following hypotheses will be examined when assessing the risks to the journalism profession in Nigeria under Abcha’s dictatorship.
H1: Repressive laws impede journalists’ professional advancement.
Ho: The implementation of restrictive regulations does not impede journalists’ professional advancement.
H2: Repressive press regulations are the most serious threat to the neutrality of the journalistic profession.
H0 Repressive press regulations are not the primary impediment to the impartiality journalism profession.
H3: How press laws effect journalistic freedom.
H0: Press laws do not limit journalists’ freedom.
H4: The effects of press restrictions on journalists’ performance under the Abacha administration varied according to press ownership and type.
H0: The impacts of press laws on journalist performance under the Abacha administration are unaffected by press ownership or type.
CONCEPTUAL AND OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS
To ensure clarity in this investigation, the following words will be defined both conceptually and operationally.
i. Journalism profession.
2. Journalist
3. Press.
4. Press freedom.
v. Extra-legal limitations
Journalism Profession
Conceptual: A specialised duty that seeks to inform, educate, entertain, and mobilise the public by writing or publishing a newspaper, magazine, or periodical.
Operational: A profession concerned with informing people about what is going on around them and what they can expect in many aspects of their society, as well as bringing the people’s problems to the attention of the government.
JOURNALIST
Conceptual: A person who writes, edits, or publishes newspapers, magazines, or periodicals.
Operational: A person who works only on the reporting, writing, and editing of newspaper and magazine material.
PRESS
Conceptual: Printed periodicals, such as magazines, newspapers, books, and leaflets.
Operational: Newspapers and magazines published, excluding books and booklets.
Press freedom
Conceptual: To act (journalists), write without prior limits, fearless about a planned action or subject. Freedom to seek the truth and the public’s right to know.
Operational: To act without any restrictions imposed by the current government, using both legal and illegal means. In this context, it refers to the right of the press to report on matters that are not covered by the legislation of the land.
EXTRA LEGAL CONTRIBUANTS
Need help with a related project topic or New topic? Send Us Your Topic
DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE PROJECT MATERIAL