Effects Of Government Ownership And Control Of Mass Media On Media Objectivity

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Since the inception of colonialism, the government over the years enjoyed a monopoly of the proprietorship of broadcasting stations with all the implications of that monopoly. That the right to private ownership of the broadcast media, implied in the right to freedom of expression, enshrined in section 36 of the 1979 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria is circumscribed within sub-section 2 of that same section which states thus: “provided that no person, other than the federation or a state or any other person or body authorized by the president shall mown, establish or operate a television or wireless broadcasting station for any purpose whatsoever”.
The provision in section 38(2) 4 the 1989 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria is the same as that quoted above.
The various governments of Nigeria declined the idea of private ownership of broadcasting stations even with this concession in the above sections of the constitution a provision for establishment of private broadcast institution on the specific approval of the country’s president what was seen as the monopoly by the various government of the powerful organs of the electronic media to preserve their hold on power generated controversial debate as far back as the 1980’s when the issue of private insertion was a constant feature in most write-up. Professional seminars and conferences touching on the media.
Not withstanding, the private ownership are still control and influenced by the government and they works in the direction of the government because of their close relationship, that’s why Mr. osi ogboso, the chairman of Nigeria union of journalist (NUJ) Enugu chapter stated that ownership and control of mass media objectivity has gone beyond government ownership that even the private media are influenced by the government due to financed support.
The inception of the federal communication commission created in 1934 to regulate broadcasting in the public interest began to tighten the obligations of the “fairness doctrine” in 1970 required that broadcasters who present a series on controversial issues or who editorialize invite specific spokesmen to state contrasting views.
The media of mass communication has two important broad sub-divisions vizs. The electronic and the print media. The pint media include a whole range of printed materials. Mainly the newspaper, and magazine, these are regional, national and international informers which provides retrievable, researched and in depth news stories of events.
Since it’s inception in 1859, courtesy of Henry Townsend, either individuals have always owned print media, groups of individuals, organizations or government be state or national. Due to the pluralistic nature of control, the competition thereof, and the greater popularity of the print media, it has always being a vital instrument of enlightenment. In fact, it was instrumental in the struggle to gain independence for Nigeria in 1960 courtesy of zik’s paper “pilot of Africa”. However, the individuals or groups that establish newspapers/ magazines have always used it to propagate their interests. But on the whole, it has played a major role in informing, educating and entertaining the society.
Moreover, print media enjoy less control and censorship from the government. The other arm of mass communication media. It comprises of the radio and television. it has not been as enterprising as it should be neither is it as competitive and free as the print media. This is attributable to the majority ownership and control of the electronic media by the government. This attribute is not a recent phenomenon. It can be traced to the political experience of the western region of Nigeria in the first republic where. “During the 1962-1965 political crisis in the western region, broadcasting was employed freely by the government of the day as an instrumental for waging an offensive against opposition. Again MINAJ was once shoot down because of a report against the government.
Following the activities of major political actors, the government saw it’s effectiveness and efficacy, then decided to only trust the electronic media into the care of it’s royals. I therefore tried with the idea of tying the ratio and television to what Mr. lgnitus Aja of ESBS called “it’s apron”.
The governments insistence on morning and contravention of the universal declaration of human rights article 19 of the UNO, this article states thus, “everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference dn seek recive and import information and ideas though any media and regardless of frontiers.
It has been widely acclaimed that the government had to take a monopolistic decision of the mass media precisely electronic media because, powerful and controlled nature of the electronic media.
Also considering that, at local, national and international levels that media are powerful brokers of information by their very nature and availability, the mass media have been recognizes as “most potent tool in the modern world (Mr. Ihnitus Agu).
This is justified also from the point of view that many government had been overthrown through pen-power. Reference could be made to the defeat of colonialism the exposure of fraud and excesses. Thus this in government have always felt that the pen is righter and decide to control and own the broadest media. Again right to rebuttal: a situation where every individual has a right to the press because everybody is given a chance to defend himself against allegations, express his view and attacker be attached and see it as instruments of propaganda in the hands of successive governments. Mr. Charles Okwsili in his view said the government controls the press because of what he calls “ chaos in the atmosphere”. It is believed that a proliferation of the broadcast media could lead to clad in atmosphere.
Nevertheless, Nigerian of the cotemporary time are increasingly decrying government ownership and control of radio and television station because the station are increasingly losing its creditability and respectability.
The era of objectivity stressed factual, accurate balanced, straight and colonization of any sort. As from the1940s to data, objectivity has been under serious fire. It is characterized by the following vizs.
• The separation of fats from opinion
• The strive for fairness and balance
• The presentation of an emotionally detached view of the press among others.
The style lasted for quite some time before the authoritarian control of the mass media by the government was in existence and probably gave way to other style of journalism.
Consequently the ownership and control of the electronic media has not been without some hindrance on the media operations and its integrity. Mr. Marshel Ngene is one of this lecture said that government owed media lack creditability and objectivity.
The changing of NUJ, Mr. Osi Ogboso described the caliber of workers that government owned media parade with as “ professional learn dogs” he gave an instance when he was assigned to cover “the 2002 governor’s impeachment. According to him he said that the report was fairly and truthfully covered but was killed or buried by the people in the helms of affairs at ESBS. Ogbos. Further described them as “poorly educated editors dn reporters. These half baked staff are ill remunerated making them have lane and financial base and thus easy targets for manipulation by the government and its agents.
Following this background therefore I have resolved to seriously determine the effects of the age long ownership and control of the Enugu state broadcasting services by the interest at the FM arm of the establishment. knowing full well that “A nations press or media system is closely tried its political system because the system of government conceived the system of the press since a nations journalism cannot exceed the limits permitted by the society.
History of ESBS
According to “A brief history of ESBS published on the official commission /launching of Enugu state broadcasting service (ESBS) stations, independent layout Enugu on 20th March 1992.
“What is today know as Enugu state broadcasting service (ESBS) has undergone a great of metamorphosis. It was first opened on October I , 1960 as one of the memorable ceremonies to glamorize the Nigeria attainment of independence and was then called Easter Nigeria broadcasting corporation (ENBA).
At the and of civil war in 1970, the aged and badly over-used ENBC was changed to East central state broadcasting service ECBS.
Following the creation of state in Nigeria the ECBS was changed to Anambra broadcasting service ABS and in 1977 it was modified to Anambra broadcasting corporation ABC divided into two ie ABC 1 at ninth mile corner and ABC II at the Hill top station.
In 1978, the federal military government took a decision of taking over all TV stations in the country, the TV arm of the ABC broadcasting outfit became the present NTA channel 8 Enugu.
Simultaneously, in 1981- 1985, the both ABC radio and ATV- so were merged into what was known as ABS without radio station in Enughu and Onitsha.
Consequently, the come to be known as the Enugu state broadcasting services. ESBS with Am and FM studio in1991.
The Enugu state broadcasting services currently transmit on the following channel and frequencies.
1. Enugu television (ETV) channel 50 VHF presently called “Star TV.
2. Radio FM (1) = 585 KHZ in the Medium wave band.
3. Radio FM (2) = 96.1 MHZ in the FM band.
The ESBS comprises at present a functional radio station transmitting on channel 50 VHF since my study is in the effects of government ownership and control of he radio 2 FM of the ESBS again, the study will concentrated precisely on “ news programme” of the radio 2 FM station.
The reason for the cloize is obvious because news is the greatest programmes that determines the objectivity of any station. moreover, information is power that shows that a national without appropriate information in darkness that’s one of the reasons for characterizing a nation s the third world or a developing country as a result of the lapse and deficiencies in the information flow.
Similarly, it is vivid that radio is the true mass medium in third world countries because it really reaches the masses. in Nigeria, the use of radio as a source of information who make up the majority of the country’s make up the majority of the county’s population (Okunna 1992).
The radio is enjoying greater popularity especially among the rural population because of its reach and also because of its being earlier to the media scene then the TV, it is affordable and realistic to media goals.
The most pre-eminent position of radio is the ability to bridge language barriers tool for social mobilization motivation sensitizing and knowledge development (Moememka 1991).
If radio enjoy al these FM, radio enjoys more advantage. Mrs. Modlyn Opara, a one time acting director ESBS radio 2 FN said in her speech on the ESBS conference with then governor that “the FM is mainly for playing music entertainment and advert”, because of the many advantages it enjoys over presently dead. Following the over-riding factors the ESBS exploits the FM for its combined services broadcasts as news and state executives broadcast. On the whole the fm enjoys the following advantages over the AM namely: vizs
• Freedom, from static noise and disruption
• Came in equal strength within reception range.
• It provides understated reception
• It transmit with greater fidelity
• It better suited for community and city broadcast.
Besides all these sterling qualities the FM electronic media- Makes great contributions towards societal improvements. It is among others things the source of news information, education, entertainment, opinion leadership conferring status and creating symbolism. The way they did it, no matter the place determine their contributions to national development or otherwise. The government always exploits this medium avenue to sell its political polices and program propaganda to the society. And since the government funds this medium it sets up the – Organizational structure of the management as to control and mange – it the way it likes and he manner it pleases them posits Victor Anyaegbudike in a lecture of radio. Television production and broadcasting in Nigeria (2003).
It is integrity to note that in s much as the station is referred to as the station with the right attitude. Thanks to Luke Mgboo a director/producer of lets talk programme on ESBS. It is not very accessible to all and sundry it’s accessibility depend on whether one’s view is for or against the government of eh day. For most state government. Infact not government like Chimaroke regime, the rule has always been that “ those are not for us are against us”. Hence their views had not best find place in the government media ( or say megaphone or paramount). The boards of directors, news editors and presenter etc. all these personal are accredited government loyalist who protect the interest of the government always.
Due to the fact that their appointment was made by the government and likewise their salaries they desisted from reporting against the government for fair of to being fire.
Concluding, Mr. Osi Rockfeller Ogboso caped it up by describing ESBS and the government owned media as “ he who plays the pipe dictates the tone,, therefore government in power crippled them loyal who pretends to be journalist without the call practice, of objectivity which connotes factual fats, fairness and balance and un –opinioned views.

1.2 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The media as watchdog of the society has been credited by many roles as analyzed by the prior Harlor Lasswell in 1948 as surveillance of the environment correlation of the parts of society and transmission of social heritage to the general populace.
Every research problem worthy of academic under falling is carried out for a definite purpose.
The purpose of this study includes
a. To find out how objectivity the ESBS discharge it’s duty in the light of government ownership and control.
b. To identify ways by which their objectivity has affected the stations status.
c. To offer suggestions on how government owned media should be handled to achieve letter result.
d. To re0enforce creditability and objectivity of mass media to the light of future and present journalists.
e. The researcher is undertaking to make contributions to knowledge generally.

1.3 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
The concept “ effete of government ownership and control of mass media objectivity, is of great importance and indispensable in the life of government and its ethnic. Government did not own and exert control the mass media for its sake but a definite purpose of using it as a megaphone to tell its one story. The way they want to till it.
Most state owned media organization are land locked with creditability and objectivity question for the way they have handled. Information/propaganda dissemination for the government at the expense of the opposition and indeed the people. For this reason media audience is today known to take state owned media message with a pinch of salt. For Marsheal Machuhan once posited that “media is the message”. The problem that necessitated to is research is the need to uncover how government influence on its own megaphone has been able to foster a deride the objective principle of journalism and how it effects the media as a whole and bemuse ESBS FM is a major culprit in this issue.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Never-minding various speeches, studies and researchers done in this problem. This research undertaking is significant for the suspicion, the mass audience has for message disseminated from government owned media.
At the end of this research, it will be useful to all especially mass communication scholars and practitioner it will also be beneficial to government owned media organizations and to private owned media organization. Who are still bedridden by objectivity problem.
• The study will help to provide adequate insight to meet the changing demands in the dynamic media environment ofour society thereby helping media managers to make a better management policies.
• This work, however, will also proffer suggestions in how the media should create awareness on maintaining it’s continued standard

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTION
Certain questions were formulated which if answered will ascertain solutions to the problem. The are as follows.
1. Does the influence of government help in the progress of ESBS.
2. Does ESBS programmes reflect it’s bias to government or media objectivity
3. Is government influences in the station helping it to achieve its aim of informing educating and entertaining the audience.
4. Does the ownership and control five room to media practitioners to operate optimally.
5. What factors, if any could compel government and private sectors media to pursue their duty to society objectivity.

1.6 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
Hi: The influence of government is hindering the progress of ESBS
Ho: The influence of government is not hindering the progress of ESBS
H2: Government interference in media is ensuring media objectivity
Ho: Government interference in media is not ensuring media objectivity
H3: Government influence on the station is making it lose its credibility.
H3: Government influence on the station is not making it lose its credibility.
H4: Advertisers are shunning the station
Ho: Advertisers are not shunning the station
H5: The undue control from government hinders optimal performance of media workers.
Ho: The undue control from government does not hinder hinders optimal performance of media workers.
1.7 Conceptual and operational definition
i. Government: Is a body with the power to direct or control the public affairs of a country. It refers to institution or agency of the state responsible for ruling the country.
ii. Objectivity: Is the ability to be factual accurate, balanced, straight and deadpan reporting of events without colouration or sentiment of any sort ie ability to be free from personnel prejudice and impartiality.
iii. Mass media: Are devices for moving or disseminating messages across distance and time to accomplish mass communication.
iv. Propaganda: Is one of the tools used in convincing an audience to support a cause, it is a conscious building up of message so as to achieve a pre-determined and
v. Persuasion: Is a communication that attempt to bring about a voluntary change in judgment so that readers or listeners will accept a belief that they did not hold previously.
vi. Broadcasting: Is the method of transmitting radio, interest or television signals to a number of recipients that belongs to a large group. It also means taking part in a radio or TV programmes.

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The study on the effect of government ownership and control of mass media objectivity, obviously is an advanced and diverse topic that should study all the mass media owned by both government and private. More also, different categories of people and prominent politicians to be able to elicit and extracts the factual point as it concerns the topic. But due to some problems of time, fiancé, challenges and getting respondents permits to accces relevant information regarding their operation.
The H5: The undue control from government hinders optimal performance of media workers.
Staff felt that divulging such information would be at their own detriment. Due to al these reasons, the study concentrated on analyzing news programme of H5: The undue control from government hinders optimal performance of media workers. Radio 2 FM in order to do a generalized at the end.