INFLUENCE OF NIGERIA PRESS ON FREE AND FAIR ELECTION
Need help with a related project topic or New topic? Send Us Your Topic
DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE PROJECT MATERIAL
INFLUENCE OF NIGERIA PRESS ON FREE AND FAIR ELECTION
Chapter one
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background for the Study
According to Adamun Ogunsanwo (2002), elections are a celebration of democracy. It promotes an inclusive state, democracy based on popular sovereignty, and long-term peace, while also testing the competitive power of political parties and leaders through programs and ideology.
In this setting, it is critical for the press to maintain citizens’ trust by playing crucial roles in democratic initiatives, democratic consolidation, democratic expansion, and democratic systems.
Politics will increasingly take place in the realm of communication, as the press is the primary medium for disseminating election messages. The press can help simplify the country’s transition process by fostering an election-friendly environment, democratising the public realm, and legitimising political proposals. Iredia T. O. (2007).
These aspects are critical for strengthening the political system’s integrative capability and external adaptability, as well as educating citizens on universal ideals of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. However, the public function of the press is heavily reliant on its own framework of ownership, finance, control, and regulation.
Politicians communicate with the press more than they do among themselves. The press impacts people’s overall cognitive grasp of politics. A strong identification of citizens with political parties led by the press increases motivation to vote and participate in politics. However, the party is merely one aspect of society, not the totality.
The articulation of partisan contents indicates a partial reporting of political truth. It just reflects the intellectual representation of society and contributes little to democratic well-being. Citizenship begins with participation in the state, therefore civic responsibility of the press involves a contribution to public opinion development.
Iredia T. O. (2007). In this process, the press must raise civic consciousness among individuals, provide participatory information and tools, encourage active public engagement, and generate meaningful dialogue and public ownership of the post-election agenda.
Familiarisation of citizens with various ideas and issues such as knowledge about transition management, election objectives, election system and processes, registration of voters, nomination of candidates, transparency of election process, neutrality of electoral and security officials, monitoring of code of conduct, roles of various agencies in improving the election environment, monitoring of human rights, redesigning the state, inclusive dispensation, dura
The press must collaborate with civil society and citizens to prevent electoral malpractices such as vote buying and selling, character assassination of candidates, dismissing national sensitivities, social harmony, and decent voting behaviour, abuses of state and market power, and instilling in citizens a sense of reason, conscience, and civic responsibility (Adedeji, 1991).
The press’s ability to do so puts it in a privileged position to make political decisions that have a significant impact on the nation and its people.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The press exists to serve the governed, not the rulers. The government’s ability to censor the press was removed, allowing the press to continue to criticise the government. The press is protected so that it can reveal official secrets and inform the public.
Only a free and restrained press can effectively expose government dishonesty. One of the most important obligations of a free press is to prevent any section of the government from fooling the people.
The effort will thus demonstrate to a significant extent the significance and role of the press in fulfilling its mission to educate and enlighten members of the public about democratic values while avoiding sensational or divisive coverage of political matters.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The following objectives have been presented to guide this study:
1. The purpose of this study was to look into the press’s social duty in ensuring free and fair elections.
2. The study’s impetus is the ongoing discussion over the role of the press in a free and fair election.
3. As a result, the study focusses on examining the problems and obstacles that the press faces in preserving free and fair elections, political elections, and the Nigerian press’s overall contribution to stable policies.
1.4 Research Questions.
The study aims to answer the following questions: what role does the press play in a free and fair election?
1. To what extent has the press demonstrated social responsibility?
2. To what extent can the government and the people help the press fulfil its mission? To ensure a free and fair election.
3. What are the problems and upcoming challenges?
1.5 Significance of the Study
Researchers have always been interested in the question of media influence on audiences. This study may establish empirically the amount of the Nigerian Press’ effect in ensuring that all election-related activities are transparent, free, and fair, using all traditional mass communication tools and social media platforms.
1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study
The project was able to touch on numerous areas of the theme “The role of the press in a free and fair election,” yet there were some difficulties that caused delays and limits in gathering data and information for the project.
The first limits of this study are budgetary and time constraints, as well as a lack of suitable study resources. During the process of obtaining materials, the researcher encountered numerous budgetary obstacles as well as a shortage of relevant textbooks for review.
Need help with a related project topic or New topic? Send Us Your Topic