Effect Of Government Ownership And Control Of Mass Media
On Media Objectivity (A Case Study Of ESBS)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page
Approval page
Dedication
Table of contents
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background of study
1.2
Statement of problem
1.3
Objectives of study
1.4
Significance of the study
1.5
Scope and limitation
1.6
Research question
1.7
Research hypothesis
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2
2.1
Theoretical framework
2.2
Reasons for government ownership and control of the mass media in nig
2.3
Government ownership and objective journalism
2.4
Implication of unobjectivity in government media
2.5
Summary of literature review
CHAPTER THREE
3.0
Research methodology
3.1 Research design
3.2 Research design
3.3 Research sample
3.4 Measuring instrument
3.5 Method of data collection
3.6 Method of data analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1
Introduction to data analysis and presentation
4.2
Data analysis questionnaires
3
4.3
Results of hypothesis and interpretation
4.4
Discussion of the analysis
CHAPTER FIVE
Recommendation and conclusion
References
CHAPTER ONE
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
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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.
5
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 subdivisions 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,
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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 19621965 political crisis in the western region, broadcasting was employed freely
by the government of the day as an instrumental for waging an offensive
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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).
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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
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
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.
10
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.
11
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.
12
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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
17
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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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