Influence Of Freedom Of Information Act In Journalism Practice
(Case study of Enugu Metropolis)
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has significantly shaped journalism practice by empowering journalists with legal tools to access government-held information crucial for investigative reporting, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability in governance. This legislation serves as a cornerstone for journalists seeking to uncover hidden truths and hold public officials accountable for their actions, fostering a more transparent and democratic society. Through FOIA requests, journalists can obtain documents, data, and other materials that reveal government activities, policies, and decisions, enabling them to report on issues of public interest more comprehensively. By leveraging FOIA, journalists can delve into various topics such as government spending, environmental regulations, and law enforcement practices, shedding light on matters that may otherwise remain obscured from public view. Consequently, FOIA’s influence on journalism is profound, as it empowers journalists to serve as watchdogs, promoting transparency, accountability, and informed civic engagement.
This project on ― influence of Freedom of Information Act: A study of journalism practices in Enugu – from January to June, is aimed at finding out how Freedom of Information Act influence positively on the life of practicing journalists in Enugu. In carrying out the study the researcher used survey design method, while questionnaire was the instrument of the study. Simple tables and percentages were used in analyzing and presenting the data collected. The researcher made some recommendations to support that Freedom of Information Act encourage investigative journalism, balance reporting, openness and transparency in the decision making process which will improve citizens trust in government action. The researcher also made few numbers of suggestions for further studies which will continue to inform people about the impact this topic (Freedom of Information Act) has on our society. And from the conclusion drawn from the questionnaire tables, it is shown that Freedom of Information Act influence positively on the life of working journalists in Enugu and strengthens the constitutional guarantee of freedom to receive and influence information and ideas without any hindrance. Again, the respondents proved that Freedom of Information Act empower the professionalism and the ethics of journalism.
Title Page… I
Certification.. II
Dedication… III
Acknowledgments… IV
Abstract… V
Table of Contents…… 1
List of Tables…… 11
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study…… 1
Statement of the Problem… 3
Objective of the Study 4
Research Questions 5
Scope of the Study… 5
Significant of the Study…. 5
Operational Definition of Significant Terms… 6
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction… 9
Review of Concepts… 9
Review of Related Studies…… 10
Theoretical Framework… 21
Summary….. 40
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction. 41
Research Design or Research Technique… 42
Population of Study. 43
Sampling Technique/ Sample…. 43
Sample Size and Sampling Techniques….. 44
Instrument for Data Collection… 45
Validity of Instrument.. 45
Method of Data Analysis 46
Method of Data Collection…. 46
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION OF DATA ANALYSIS
Introduction…. 47
Data Presentation and Analysis….. 47
Discussion of Findings.. 56
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction…. 58
Summary of Findings…… 58
Conclusion… 59
Recommendation. ..59
Suggestions for further studies…. 60
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Freedom of information is both a concept in journalism an issue in contemporary medical practice. This controversial concept establishes that media practitioners‘ especially journalist reserve the freedom to probe, to dig, to pry for the purpose of obtaining information, news, opinion and publish same without hindrance. It proposes that the gathering and reporting of news and opinion should operate without any limitation or constraint. In other word journalist, like every other Nigeria have the right to hold opinion, receive information and impact ideas without interference. This is a fundamental human right guaranteed every individual by the constitution including journalists.
Again freedom of information is an essential right for every person; it allows individual and groups to protect their right. It is an important guard against abuses, mismanagement and corruption. It benefits government themselves in terms of openness and transparency in the decision making process and improve citizen trust in government action.
For the important of the freedom of information, survey had shown that nearly seventy[70]countries around the world including Nigeria have not adopted comprehensive freedom of information act to facilitate access to record held by the government bodies and another fifty have pending efforts. A few countries have issued decrees or used constitutional provision. Many countries have adopted others that can provide for limited access their own records held by the government agencies andprivateorganization, specific statutes that give right of access in certain area such as health, environment, government procurement and consumer protection.
Freedom of information could be traced to the age enlightenment and development of democracy in America.it is a product of libertarianism which derived unarguably from the libertarian theory of the libertarian approach to the ingredient of libertarian approach ofmedia.
Freedom of Information stoutly opposes the authoritarian philosophy of the press in which absolute power and control over ownership, content and the use to which the media could be put resided with the monarch.
As pointed out in chapter five of GOKE R.[2003].mass media and the society. issues and perspectives the authoritarian system pre-supposes that; truth was conceived to be not the product of the great mass of people but a few men who were in a position to guide and direct their fellows thus, truth was thought to be centered near the center of power .The rulers of the time used the press to inform the people of what the rulers thought they should know and the policies the rulers thought they should support.
The role of the press then therefore was chiefly to support and advance the policies and thinking of the government in a society where criticism of the political machinery and officials in power through the media wasforbidden.
This contradicts the beliefs of the libertarian that man is a rational being capable of choosing between truth and falsehood, deciding between bad and good, and when face with alternative choices, capable to unerringly choose the truth and the good. The press therefore, must be free to feed the people with information and allow them to judge becausethey are rational beings.According to Siebert pater soet ela ―the libertarianliable assume that in a democratic society, there would be multiplicity of voices available to, if not actually reaching the public.‖ Let every man who has something to say on public issues express himself regardless of whether what he has to say is true or false and the public ultimately decided.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Before the signing of freedom of information act (FOI) by president Good luck Jonathan on the 28th may 2011,the press went through a lot of criticism in the hands of people/government especially the military government which as a result many journalist/media practitioners were imprisoned, assassinated and assaulted. However, this research work aim at studying;
The effect of government censorship onjournalists.
Non access to public information kept by government, public institution and privatebodies.
Criticism and governmentsuppression.
1.3 Objective of the Study
It is a well-known fact that Freedom of Information Act (FOI) was to strengthen the constitutional guarantee of freedom to receive and impact information and ideas. The law encourages investigative journalism, balance reporting, and objectivity, verification of stories, openness, transparency, fairness and accuracy in media presentation. Therefore, the researchers consider the following objectiverelevant.
- To find out the Impacting of Freedom of Information Act (FOI) on journalist practices in Enugu state.
- To know the extent of Freedom of Information Act Practice in Enugu state.
- To determine how Enugu state journalist encourages Freedom of InformationAct.
1.4 Research Questions
The researcher‘s attend in the research work will be focused on how to answer the following questions;
How far have the mass media gone in encouraging freedom of information act in journalism practice in Enugu?
To what extent have the mass media gone in informing, and educating the people about freedom of information act in journalism practice in Enugu?
What rate is freedom of information act in journalism practice in Enugu?
Has freedom of information act in journalism practice in Enugu increased?
1.5 Scope of the Study
This study is mainly focuses on the residence of Enugu which include the all the journalist in Enugu state.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This study is aim at promoting and encouraging the new law ―Freedom of Information Act‖ in Enugu and Nigeria at large. The study will be of greatbenefit to the researcher, journalist and the entire Nigeria to embrace the law in order to encourage professionalism and the ethnics of journalism.
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms
Freedom: This is the power or right to act, speak etc. as one wants without anyone stopping. It is the permission to use, act, and speak, etc. without restriction in Enugu.
Information: This is a fact told, heard or discovered about something/ somebody. It is also seen as knowledge gives/ provides/ pass on/ receive/ obtain/ collect about something/ somebody in Enugu.
Act: This is a law made by a parliament or similar body in Enugu State.
Journalism: This is the activity or product of journalists or others engage in the preparation of written, visual, or audio material intended for dissemination through public media with reference to factual, ongoing events of public concern. It is intended to inform society about itself and to make public things that would otherwise be private in Enugu State.
SHARE PROJECT MATERIALS ON:
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has had a significant influence on journalism practice in several ways:
- Access to Government Information: Freedom of Information Act grants journalists and the public the legal right to access government records and documents. This has been invaluable for investigative journalists, as it allows them to uncover government actions, policies, and decisions that might otherwise remain hidden. This access to government information enables journalists to act as watchdogs, holding public officials accountable for their actions.
- Transparency and Accountability: Freedom of Information Act promotes transparency and accountability within government agencies. Journalists can use FOIA requests to obtain information about government activities, decisions, and spending. This helps ensure that government actions are open to scrutiny, reducing the potential for corruption and abuse of power.
- Investigative Reporting: Freedom of Information Act requests are a powerful tool for investigative journalism. Journalists can use FOIA to obtain documents, emails, memos, and other materials that can serve as evidence in investigative reports. This can lead to groundbreaking stories that expose wrongdoing, corruption, or misconduct within government agencies or other organizations.
- Enhanced Reporting: Freedom of Information Act can enrich reporting by providing journalists with access to data and statistics that are essential for in-depth reporting. For instance, journalists can request data related to public health, safety, environmental issues, or government spending, which can be analyzed to provide valuable insights to the public.
- Supporting Whistleblowers: Freedom of Information Act can support whistleblowers who want to expose misconduct or illegal activities within government agencies. Journalists can use Freedom of Information Act to verify the claims made by whistleblowers and obtain evidence to support their stories, ensuring that whistleblowers’ concerns are taken seriously.
- Public Interest Reporting: Freedom of Information Act encourages public interest reporting by enabling journalists to access information that serves the public’s right to know. This type of reporting can shed light on issues of national importance, such as government surveillance programs, military operations, or public health crises.
- Promoting Open Government: Freedom of Information Act encourages government agencies to operate more openly and transparently. Knowing that their actions can be subject to public scrutiny, government officials may be more cautious about engaging in questionable activities, thereby fostering a culture of openness and accountability.
- Legal Protections: Freedom of Information Act provides legal protections to journalists seeking government information. In cases where government agencies deny Freedom of Information Act requests, journalists can appeal these decisions in court, often with legal support from media organizations, ensuring that journalists can effectively exercise their right to access information.
- Education and Awareness: Freedom of Information Act has also been instrumental in educating the public about government operations and the importance of transparency in a democracy. Through their reporting on Freedom of Information Act requests and their outcomes, journalists can inform the public about how government decisions affect their lives.
In summary, the Freedom of Information Act has had a profound impact on journalism practice by empowering journalists to access government information, promoting transparency and accountability, supporting investigative reporting, and ultimately serving the public’s right to know about government actions and decisions. It has become an essential tool in the arsenal of investigative journalists and a cornerstone of open government in many democracies.