Print Media As Electioneering Tool In Nigeria Governorship Election

This study was carried out on print media as electioneering tool in Nigeria governorship election. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprised of Newspaper readers in Ajah, Lagos State and members of newspaper proprietors" association of Nigeria. In determining the sample size, the researcher conveniently selected 147 respondents and 141 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables, while the hypotheses were tested using chi-square statistical tool. The result of the findings reveals that print media"s coverage of electioneering campaigns affects electorates voting decision during governorship elections. The study also revealed that the newspapers electorates regard as fair and balanced in the coverage of 2015 electioneering campaign consist of the punch, the guardian, vanguard, this day, and the sun. Therefore, it is recommended that newspapers should be free from few influential politicians to avoid turning the paper into tools of propaganda. Hence, owners of media organisations should avoid undue interference with the work of print media journalists to enable them perform their duties better in the electoral process in Nigeria.

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Media is undeniably a powerful and quick mode of communication. It has a tremendous impact on education, politics, culture, and social cohesion, in addition to appealing to a huge audience. The media serves as active watchdogs, pointing out the shortcomings of the political system. It examines the system, identifies the flaw, and attempts to remedy it through creative writing, drawing, and presenting, with cartooning and photography serving as one example of creative presentation.

The Nigerian democratic system relies heavily on the media. They have specifically played key roles in the election process by serving as major sources of information, offering essentially free and trustworthy details that have led to more balanced education and opinion formation among the voting population. Specifically, the Nigerian media, recognized for their vibrancy, diversity, boisterousness, and, in the case of the public owned broadcast media, blind follower behavior, have done their responsibilities within current circumstances throughout electioneering times in the country. (Pate 2015 p3). Looking back to the history of Nigerian elections, the foregoing remark by Pate may be clearly appreciated. Because elections are the lifeblood of modern democracy, the frequency, fairness, and openness of such elections through public relations are critical to the polity"s political stability.

Importantly, competition and power struggle is unavoidable in an open society with various political parties if the strength of its democratic institutions is to be maintained. Most political parties aim to outsmart or outclass one another by adopting a variety of techniques to win voters" hearts and portray their party representatives in a favourable way. Prior to the governorship election, high anticipation, misinformation, and anxiety over Nigeria"s continuing unity characterized the run-up to the election. Political assassinations were widespread at both the federal and state levels. Thus, the Nigerian media have been essential stakeholders in the country"s present political regime, particularly during elections.

The broadcast media are part of channels of communicating with a large and heterogeneous audience simultaneously. They have been actively involved in creating the agenda for political discourse, offering viewpoints and direction on political debates, framing the agenda for political choices, and mobilizing for public engagement in political activities. These channels of communication can be broadly categorized as print, broadcast and digital media. While the broadcast media such as radio and television transmit information electronically, the print media such as newspapers and magazines transmit information through the printed medium. The relatively new digital media, comprising Internet and mobile devices, transmit information digitally. Indeed the print media are the most strategic means of winning the hearts and minds of the electorate who are the determinant factor and king makers in any democratic, free, fair and transparently credible election. They arethe means through which political parties and their candidates could reach a large percentage of the electorate who may not have the opportunity of receiving campaign messages at political rallies. The mass media through the broadcast and publication of campaign messages-news, interviews, speeches, documentaries, commentaries, debates, advertisements, etc- have the potential of influencing voting decisions of the electorate. Hence a veritable tool in the electioneering process during governorship elections in Nigeria.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Over the years, the broadcast media have played significant role in political electioneering campaign in the country. Nigerian political history is never complete without mentioning the critical role of Nigerian media. It is a well-known fact that under democratic dispensation, the mass media are not simply referred to as the fourth estate of the realm, but are recognized and accorded respect due to the privilege, that is to say, societies have granted the press its right and place in political and democratic processes, as well as function and responsibility in the administration or how men are governed globally. The above examples demonstrate why "societies" place a high value on election coverage. According to Orhewere (2003, p.140), in the past, the Nigerian print media did not demonstrate enough dedication to professional ethnics, leading to the electoral crisis in western Nigeria in 1965 and following elections. Newson and Scolt (1981), on the other hand, believe that the most beneficial media coverage effort is that which is intended to prevent or at least solve issues while they are minor.

Emphasis has bee placed on the traditional print media, which is also called the press, because of its unique features of permanence, indefinite exposures, ability to be read severally, being more intellectually-engaging, better sectioning of topics for detailed analysis, and ease of content analysis over the electronic media such as radio and television. Despite the penetration and wide usage, many social media information are fake, unverifiable and misleading; which make unqualified authors and commentators to dish-out misguided and unethical news that is at variance with the code of conduct that guide media practice in Nigeria (Ajibulu, 2016). The print media is usually compelled to undergo strict gate-keeping and verification process, by upholding accuracy, news verification, balanced reporting and impartiality. These cultures contrast that of online journalism or social media that has the freedom to report information without undergoing any verification process (Anindya, 2015). In democratic countries, media organizations had, over time, developed journalistic standards for vetting, and verifying information (Fukuyama, 2020). While certain elements of the print media were stated to have attempted to report ethically, professionally, adequate coverage and in accordance with the Electoral Act, many others were accused of prejudice, denial of access, and professional misconduct. Although there are several literature regarding the role of electronic and new media in elections only little attention have been given to traditional media with preference to print media. Upon this background this study seeks to examine print media as electioneering tool in Nigeria governorship election.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The study"s overall purpose is to examine the print media as electioneering tool in Nigeria governorship election.

The study, on the other hand, was focused on achieving these precise goals:

To investigate the role of media in a democratic government

To know the perception of print media"s coverage of electioneering campaigns during the 2015 General elections

To determine whether print media"s coverage of electioneering campaigns affect electorates voting decision during governorship elections

To investigate which newspaper did electorates regard as fair and balanced in the coverage of governorship electioneering campaign

1.4 Research Question

The following research questions were posed in accordance with the study"s objectives:

What is the role of media in a democratic government

What is the perception of print media"s coverage of electioneering campaigns during governorship elections? •

Does print media"s coverage of electioneering campaigns affect electorates voting decision during governorship elections? •

Which newspaper did electorates regard as fair and balanced in the coverage of 2015 electioneering campaign?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

H01: Print media"s coverage of electioneering campaigns does not affect electorates voting decision during governorship elections.

H02: Print media does not play any significant role in Nigeria governorship election.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will add more knowledge to the existing literature on media effect theories and public relations. It will also serve as a reference for future researchers that may want to undertake a research on a similar study. Social activists will also benefit from the study as it will enable them to deploy positive party support messages during elections. More so, the result of the study will enable personnel, journalist and communicators to promote objectivity during political report with the aim of ensuring social, political, and communication emancipation. Additionally, the findings of the study will enable Nigeria political parties in the 21st century not to afford to be technologically bankrupt in this information age hence the need for them to device mechanisms for electioneering and campaigning in other to influence the voting pattern of the masses. Finally, the findings of this study will contribute to the sustainable development of democracy in Nigeria.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The scope of this study borders on the print media as electioneering tool in Nigeria governorship election. This study covered the governorship campaign period in Nigeria 2015. On the respondent of the study, Newspaper readers in Ajah, Lagos State and members of newspaper proprietors" association of Nigeria was selected for the study.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scantiness of literature on the influence of editorial cartoons on the presidential election, using 2015 discourse. Thus much time and organization was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection. Also the study is limited in period as the study covered only the presidential campaign period in Nigeria in 2015. On the respondent of the study, only resident of Ikeja was sample for the study with reference to their readership of two (2) major newspaper media (The Punch, The Guardian, Vanguard, This day, and The Sun ). Therefore findings of this study cannot be used for generalization for other past governorship election nor outside the State which creates a gap in scope and gives room for further studies.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Print Media:

Print media is a kind of mass communication that creates and disseminates news and information through printed publications

Election:

An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold public office.

Governorship Election:

A governorship election is the election of any head of state whose official title is President.

1.10 Organization of the Study

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, abnd selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations:

5.1 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings on print media as electioneering tool in Nigeria governorship election. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.

5.2 Summary of the Study

In this study, our focus was on print media as electioneering tool in Nigeria governorship election.The study is was specifically carried out to investigate the role of media in a democratic government, know the perception of print media"s coverage of electioneering campaigns during the 2015 General elections, determine whether print media"s coverage of electioneering campaigns affect electorates voting decision during governorship elections, and investigate which newspaper did electorates regard as fair and balanced in the coverage of governorship electioneering campaign.

The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 141 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent were Newspaper readers in Ajah, Lagos State and members of newspaper proprietors" association of Nigeria.

5.3 Conclusions

Based on the findings of this study, the researcher concluded that;

The role of media in a democratic government include; sensitizing the masses on political affairs, adequate and transparent news coverage, political mobilization, dissemination of information, and gathering of public opinions.

There is a positive perception toward print media"s coverage of electioneering campaigns during governorship elections.

Print media"s coverage of electioneering campaigns affects electorates voting decision during governorship elections.

The newspapers electorates regard as fair and balanced in the coverage of 2015 electioneering campaign consist of the punch, the guardian, vanguard, this day, and the sun.

5.4 Recommendations

Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are proffered.

Newspapers should be free from few influential politicians to avoid turning the paper into tools of propaganda.

Owners of media organisations should avoid undue interference with the work of print media journalists to enable them perform their duties better in the electoral process in Nigeria.

More investigative journalism should be carried out by print media journalists to identify challenges facing electoral process in Nigeria.

Print media journalists should adhere to their professional code of ethics to reduce bias and corrupt practice in the course of news reportage in Nigeria.5. Print media should intensify efforts at voter education, and civic education to strengthen the electoral process in Nigeria.

Chapter One:

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.3 Objective of the Study

1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Research Hypothesis

1.6 Significance of the Study

1.7 Scope of the Study

1.8 Limitation of the Study

1.9 Definition of Terms

1.10 Organisations of the Study

Chapter Two:

Review of Literature

2.1 Conceptual Framework

2.2 Theoretical Framework

2.3 Empirical Review

Chapter Three:

Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design

3.2 Population of the Study

3.3 Sample Size Determination

3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure

3.5 Research Instrument and Administration

3.6 Method of Data Collection

3.7 Method of Data Analysis

3.8 Validity of the Study

3.9 Reliability of the Study

3.10 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four:

Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1 Data Presentation

4.2 Analysis of Data

4.3 Answering Research Questions

4.4 Test of Hypotheses

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Recommendation

References

APPENDIX

QUESTIONNAIRE

• Role Of The Print Media In Sport Development
• Influence Of Print Media In Creating Awareness Against Drug Abuse In Nigeria
• Print Media, Cartoons And Social Commentary In Nigeria
• Automated Printed Media Circulation System
• Impact Of Print Media (Newspaper) In Shaping The Nigerian Political Structure
• Impact Of Photographic Content In Enhancing News Credibility Among Print Media Audience
• Role Of Print Media In Sports (Football) Development In Nigeria

• Mass Communication Project Topics and Materials