Role Of Media In Emerging Democracy

The media are an indispensable agent of development in any nation given their invaluable contribution to governance as a watchdog and partner in progress with other arms of government. In a developing country like Nigeria, the mass media have been instrumental to the delivery and consolidation of the current democratic experience. Within this context, this paper examines the role the media have played and continue to play in the socio-political and socio-economic reengineering of structures in a country faced with enormous problems which militate against its optimal performance as an emergent democracy. The paper employs the historical and analytical approaches as its methodology of illuminating on the issues set out. In the end, it suggests that the Nigerian government revoke all laws that have served as clogs on the wheels of the Nigerian media; hence, it canvasses for the urgent passage of the freedom of information bill (FOIB) into law.

Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study

Of the different organs that make up any modern day society, one organ whose importance can never be over emphasized is the mass media. Little wonder the mass media have been described as the fourth estate of the realm", that is after the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government in any democratic society. In the contemporary world, one form of government that continues to enjoy widespread support and acceptance is democracy.

In Nigeria where attempt is still being made to properly entrench the norms of democracy, the mass media no doubt have played varying roles and is still playing it in this noble area of strengthening the democratic process. As McQuail (2000) rightly noted, the basic role of the mass media in any society is to inform, educate and entertain. Suarez (1978) went a step further by stating that in a democratic environment, the role of the press (mass media) extends beyond these basic functions. The media in addition to these basic roles have the responsibility of sustaining and nourishing the ideals of democratic ethos, and to constantly assure and guaranty the protection of freedom of individuals and that of the media themselves, which is the heart of popular participation in liberal democracies (quoted in Isola, 2008).

Siebert, Palterson and Schramm (1963) also assert that the mass media across nations therefore saddle themselves with the responsibility of monitoring governance, protecting the interests and rights of the weak in the society and advocating for issues and causes that enhance the growth and development of the society within which they operate (quoted in Isola, 2008) Within the Nigerian context, various attempts have often been made to clarify what exactly the role of the mass media is in the process of consolidating democratic values. The question then is that to what extent has the mass media been able to live up to this noble responsibility?

As Oseni (2005) puts it Democracy and journalism (mass media) are soul mates. You really cannot have one without the other. It is only a democratic environment that can foster the best of journalism (mass media). Just as democracy itself can never take root nor be nurtured in an atmosphere inimical to the provision of alternative choice which journalism (mass media) promotes".

The morning of Saturday 29th May 1999 saw Nigeria return to another experiment at democratic norms and institutions with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo sworn as President and Commander-in-Chief of the nation"s armed forces. Ever since, the polity has been awash with different policies, strategies and programmes aimed at consolidating the process, entrench the values of democracy into the system and laying a solid foundation for its sustainability.

The essence of this work therefore is to again revisit the issue of the roles the media play with emerging democracy in Nigeria, with emphasis on the fourth attempt at democratic form of governance in Nigeria.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

In Nigeria, there have been tales of government officials and elected representatives of the people deliberately embarking on actions that serve as obstacles to the media from being able to play its role effectively. They have made attempts at ensuring that the mass media dance to their tune. The polity has been awash with cases of threats, dubious legislation, intense regulation and censorship as well as unmitigated records of violation of press freedom.

Also, it is not too encouraging that even at this age; the Nigerian mass media for reasons that span from obsolete equipment, low level of training to unethical practices as well as unfavourable political and economic climates have not been able to play its noble role of serving as the driving force of a virile democracy.

The question that then follows is that what are the things that need to be put in a place to overcome these obvious challenges? And to what extent has the unfavourable political climate stiffened the ability of the mass media to live up to the billing? These further raise more questions like what is the root cause of the problems the media is having to battle with in the course of fulfilling its obligation especially when there are relevant laws including constitutional provisions that guarantee these roles?

1.3 Research Questions

To what extent has the media played its role of entrenching democratic values into the Nigerian democratic system?

How conducive has the political climate as a whole been for the mass media to
effectively play its part in emerging democracy?

To what extent has the mass media facilitated the strengthening of Nigeria"s fourth attempt at democratic governance?

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The objectives of the study are to:

Critically asses the roles the media have played in entrenching democratic values into the Nigeria political system;

Assess the emerging democracy especially with regards to the Nigerian political system;

Consider how conducive the political atmosphere has been for the mass media especially in the Fourth Republic;

1.5 Hypotheses

The activities of the media have telling effects on the emerging democracy.

The autonomy of the mass media boosts emerging democracy in Nigeria.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on the Fourth Republic in Nigeria which spans from May 29 1999 till date. It takes care of the first eleven year period which spans from 1999 to 2019. The main area of focus is the print (representing newspapers and magazines) and electronic media (radio and television). And since it is nearly impossible to cover the whole of the country because of some limitations, Osun, one of the thirty six states that make up the country is focused upon.

1.7 Research Methodology

This study makes use of both the primary and secondary sources of data. The use of questionnaire is of utmost importance in the area of exploring the views of different stakeholders within the context of the title of this research. Since the focus is on Osun State, one hundred questionnaires were administered in each of the three senatorial districts that make up Osun State. Ilesa was selected in Osun East, Osogbo in Osun Central while Iwo was the town of choice in Osun West. The choice of these three major towns was based on their heterogeneous population, relatively vast size and the availability of media outfits. While Osogbo has both state government-owned television and radio stations, Federal Government owned television station as well as government and privately-owned print media outfits, Ilesa is home to both Federal Government-owned and privately-owned radio stations as well as a privately- owned print media outfit. Iwo on the other hand plays host to another stated-owned television station.

Also, interviews were conducted with relevant stakeholders. These included media executives, journalists and members of the public at large.

The secondary source of data is also optimally utilised in the areas of existing literature on the title, the internet, newspapers, magazines, official documents and journals.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

The following constraints were encountered:

Time limitation

Resource constraint

Access to relevant materials for more information.

1.9 The Significance of the Study

This work centres on:

Tracing the antecedents of the mass media in Nigeria.

Looking at the part the mass media have played in Nigeria"s democratization process since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999.

Assessing Nigeria"s drive towards a higher level in the democratization process.

Examining the challenges bedeviling the mass media in Nigeria and serving as obstacles to the ultimate realization of its objectives.

1.10 Organization of Chapter

Chapter one is the general introduction into the work. It introduces the format of the work, the essence of going into it in the first place as well as the means and tools of achieving the stated objectives of the study.

Chapter two deals with the review of existing literature on the work. Emphasis is laid on past works of different authors - both academic and non-academic.

Chapter three examines the historical evolution and dynamism of the mass media globally up to the emergence of the Nigerian media.

Chapter four features the presentation and analyses of data.

Chapter five serves as conclusion backed up with policy recommendations.

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary of Findings

The study revealed that the mass media is an essential, indispensable part of democratic governance. It also revealed that emerging democrazy in Nigeria, generally has been rather slow compared with the expectations of the people, and among the factors that account for this is the less than conducive political climate under which the mass media have had to carry out their responsibilities.

The research equally brought to the fore the need for autonomy of the mass media as very instrumental to the stability of the democratic process. While it is admitted that 100% autonomy of the mass media may be utopian in actual sense, the situation where government at all levels gag the media through different censorship policies, intimidation and even physical assault on media workers are worrisome and should be condemned in strong terms. There is equally a need for state-owned mass media to be allowed to do their work without undue interference from their owners - the government as the research reveals that the public prefer the privately-owned electronic to the state-owned ones as a result of their near independence and critical appraisal of issues in some cases.

Attached to the need for greater autonomy for the mass media as revealed by the research is the need for increase in the level of access the media enjoys when it comes to information. The research revealed that most information that is crucial to the public and the policy process are forbidden from getting to the public through the media as they are clouded under official secrecy. Public officers and elected leaders of the people are made to swear to or sign secrecy oaths which forbid them from revealing information related to their work - issues of public concern in most cases - to the conveyers of information and prevent such information from getting to places where they may be of importance to the democratic process.

The hypotheses tested (hypothesis 1), further buttresses the fact that there is a significant relationship between the activities of the mass media and emerging democrazy. In other words, the activities of the mass media have telling effects on the democratization process. The extent to which the mass media live up to their responsibilities impacts on the democratic process as a whole. Equally observed from the hypotheses (two) is that greater autonomy for the mass media enhances the emerging democrazy process while hypothesis three reveals that the passage into law of the Freedom of Information Bill portends good tidings for emerging democrazy in Nigeria.

During the democratic era, the mass media has sensitized the people, provide education and have risen up against whatever they consider as portending danger to the polity. Public outcry occasioned by media campaigns have resulted in cases such as the impeachment of senate presidents, speakers of the House of Representatives and uncovering of serious instances of corruption and abuse of office. The media have thus succeeded in putting public leaders on their toes and held them to account for their deeds.

In the course of carrying out their responsibilities in the polity since the mid-19th century, the mass media have had to confront a lot of challenges. The colonial government set the tone for such through enactment of legislation meant to curtail media freedom and when the battle for independence was eventually won, the self-inflicted problem of ethnicity crept into the media and the different leaders in the regional structure that operated at the time saw the media as a potent weapon in canvassing personal views and promoting selfish personal interests. The mass media was thus dislodged from carrying out its noble roles in the newly found independence to such devious tasks as personality attack and regional interests. The activities of the mass media contributed in exacerbating almost all the major crises of the First Republic which culminated in the military takeover of 1966. The successive military regimes then embarked on various means of putting the media" in its rightful place, such as promulgation of decrees, intimidation, physical assault and even imprisonment of media workers. Some lost their jobs while the unlucky ones had to pay with their lives in the course of the struggle. Media houses were closed down and some media outfits had to operate underground in a period where unmitigated cases of human right abuses in the history of the country were committed.

And even in the democratic era when the media are supposed to be heaving a sigh of relief and working selflessly in consolidating the process, cases of intimidation, harassment, assault and assassination of media workers recorded during the dark days of the military are still commonplace. The media are still being tactically manoeuvred and influenced and have thus not been able to live up to what ought to be their responsibility. Some of the laws inherited from the repressive military era are still in operation and the Freedom of Information Bill which would have no doubt increased the media"s access to information and eased their operations as well as provide a platform to hold public officers more accountable to the people have been in the National Assembly for a decade now. When the two chambers of the legislature manage to pass it, it meets with a brick wall when it comes to presidential assent. Under the excuse of having the tendency to allow foreigners access to matters of national security, the media - and the public - have been schemed time and again, in issues relating to the FOI Bill.

One of the aspects in the democratic process where the media are expected to play key roles is the electoral process. And although the Electoral Act spells out guidelines for the use of the media by all electoral competitors in a way that would mean fairness to all parties involved, most of the laws have existed only on paper as politicians, governments and other privileged members of the society continually abuse the use of the media during the electioneering period. Opposition political parties and figures are denied access to the media in most cases by the ruling party most especially at the state government level thus turning the mass media into a tool for personal use.

5.2 Recommendations

The nexus between the mass media and the democratic process with particular emphasis on the roles the media are expected to play in the polity has attracted and is still attracting increasing attention from the media practitioners, advocates, researchers and other concerned scholars. The mass media have been recognized as fulcrum of any democratic experiment. To further smoothen the mass media - emerging democrazy interplay in Nigeria however, some policy measures are suggested as follows.

It should be recognized by policy makers, public officers and indeed the media practitioners themselves that emerging democrazy faces a huge challenge if the mass media institutions malfunction or are malfunctioning in any way. In other words, democracy cannot work well without an effective mass media. Therefore, all laws that impede the media from effectively playing their roles without fear or favour should be abrogated. There should be a great deal of support for policy-legal reform processes, in order to ensure a healthy, fair environment in which media sectors can prosper. Also some existing laws that has to do with the media needs to be enforced and not made to exist on paper only as has been the case in Nigeria overtime.

All impediments to the passage into law of the Freedom of Information Bill should be dealt with forthwith and the Bill made to become part of the nation"s governing laws. This will increase the level of access the media has to information and will go a long way in restoring sanity into the democratic process as public officers would be held more accountable to the public as media workers and the public would have enhanced access to government information and computerized records and documents.

Training, re-training and support for journalism and other media institutions should be priority areas to develop the media in Nigeria for the future. However, training without requisite infrastructure - that is, facilities and equipment - cannot lead to the desired stage of media development in Nigeria. Structures should be put in place to provide good training avenues for journalists and other media workers. Proprietors of media organizations should devote considerable attention and resources towards the training and re-training of media staff. This will improve their knowledge of the profession and the new trends as they emerge on continuous basis and they will be able to live up to the billing as their colleagues in other liberal democracies of the world. Also media workers should be sufficiently equipped to be able to carry out their work effectively so that they will not continually lag behind their counterparts in advanced countries of the world.

A situation where government-owned, especially state government-owned media organisations are used as instruments of propaganda and the opposition are tactically prevented from accessing such media organisations to make their voices heard is condemnable in strong terms. All political parties should be guaranteed equal access to all government-owned media. The role of government-owned electronic media organisations as public service broadcasters should be emphasised and such media organisations should operate with the fundamental tenet of putting public interest first in their operations. The overbearing influence of the state in terms of regulation and control of national broadcasting should be reduced drastically and a level playing field for the state-controlled media and the private media should be provided.

A high level of corruption that has eaten deep into the media industry is ludicrous. It should be strongly campaigned against. All cases of ―brown envelopes and ―Ghana must go bags that characterise the media resulting in the commercialisation of news and promotion of parochial interests for monetary gains should be completely eradicated. Professional bodies such as the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Nigerian Guild of Editors and similar bodies should make such acts a serious offence amongst its members.

The remuneration and other welfare packages of media workers should be enhanced. A situation where media workers are grossly unpaid and some even going unpaid for months is an aberration that should be done away it. This has become a motivation" for media workers to engage in illicit acts to meet up with their daily needs and that of their families.

All cases of harassment, intimidation and assault on media workers should be outlawed forthwith in Nigeria. The safety of media workers should become paramount as they occupy very sensitive positions in the scheme of things. Anyone who willingly commits such crimes against media workers should be made to face the full wrath of the law no matter how highly placed such person is.

There is a need to intensify the professionalization of the media so that only those who have what it takes can work in media establishments. All forms of quackery and impersonation should be treated as serious crimes against the state and defaulters should be made to lick their wounds.

All cases where the mass media are politically influenced and denied the autonomy to carry out their roles from a neutral perspective should be done away with. Regulatory agencies such as the National Broadcasting Commission and the Nigerian Press Council should respect the need to allow the media to do their work without undue interference. The agencies should however make sure that the media do their work in accordance with stated rules as contained in documents such as National Broadcasting Code for the electronic media.

5.3 Conclusion

In view of the identified and hugely conspicuous reasons for an effective mass media sector as a driving force of a virile democracy, it is important that all stakeholders rise up to the tasks in raising the standard and potency of the mass media in Nigeria. Policies in this area, no doubt, portend good tidings, pluralism and enhancement of emerging democrazy in Nigeria.

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