MASS MEDIA AS AN INSTRUMENT OF POLITICAL

MOBILIZATION: (A CASE STUDY OF THE ENUGU STATE BROADCASTING SERVICE (ESBS)

ABSTRACT

The various literature studies intended to stress the mass media role in the  National Development which reflects in the area of democracy  political leadership.

In this study the researcher decided to draw home the  truism that without a national political consciousness and viable  political participation resulting in good  leadership; there could be no genuine national development.

The mass media as the fourth estate of government had been assigned the various responsibilities in the society including he watchdog  role the educator and entertainer of the various segments of the people.

The  roe of the  mass media as an instrument of political mobilization in the modern societies involves a whole network of  more or less formalized institutions that deals with communication  of all types.  Normally this requires a considerable capital as the case with the radio television and publishing houses.  Necessarily, they have to Carter for    the mass audience.

For this reason those who control the mass media is usually suggest that they have the ability and capacity to manipulate and mobilize  the people during the transition era.

The alteration of primary social relationship under the impact of industrialization has left the population lacking in sense of group  identity and social control.  The Nigeria democratic system having  been bastardized and destroyed by  certain degrunted elements, look  into the mass as the way out to correct the abnormally and injustice the Nigeria democratic dispensation.  This work tried to identify the functions problems and prospects of the mass media of  communication and equally highlights their ability to carry  out this enormous responsibility to an enviable height in the  mobilization  of the people towards a viable and sustaining democratic polity.

The success of the new political order in Nigeria comes by the year 2007 depends. To a large extent, the level of political awareness in Nigeria could  be raised, and the choice of the Enugu state  broadcasting  service as a case study  is aimed at  diagnonizing the  impact and effect of the medium towards the  proper mobilization of the people.

The work highlights the  impact of the mass media in informing educating and entertaining  the masses towards polity.  It  is hoped  that if   the  findings  and  recommendations suggested in this work are followed Nigerians  could have a chance of witnessing an enduring and lasting political culture.

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction                                                                                                1

• Background of the study 1
• Statement of research problems                                             3
• Objectives of the study 3
• Significance of the study                                                                  4
• Research questions 5
• Research hypothesis 6
• Definition of terms 7
• Limitations of the study 8
• Theoretical framework 9

CHAPTER TWO        

• Literature review 10
• Theoretical review 15
• Summary of literature review 18

CHAPTER THREE    

Research Methodology                                                                     19

• Research method                                                                    19
• Research design                                                                      19
• Research sample                                                                     20
• Research instruments 20
• Method of data analysis 20

CHAPTER FOUR

Results and analysis of data                                                             21

• Results 21
• Analysis of data 21
• Discussion of data 30

CHAPTER FIVE                  

Summary, conclusion and recommendations                                             33

• Summary 33
• Conclusion 34
• Recommendations 35

Bibliography                                                                           38

Appendix                                                                                40

 

CHAPTER ONE

 

INTRODUCTION

• BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

This research touches on the various aspect of the mass media as instruments of political mobilization.  In other words, it explores into the mass media as a mobilization agency during the political transition period.

It is thus, an important assumption of the work that a  systematic study of political mobilization by mass media, should include an  examination into the nature of operation of the mass  media of communication in the Enugu state Broadcasting service  (ESBS) Enugu.

The mass media generally referred to both the print (s)  and  electronic media as supported in section 22 of the 1989 constitution of Nigeria. “The press, radio, television and other  agencies of the mass media should at all be free to  uphold the  fundamental  objectives and highlights the responsibility and accountability of the  government to the people”.

The role of the mass media according to General Abacha in  his maiden independence broadcast on the 1^st October 19995  was to inform educate and entertain the citizenry.

Onyishi (1996) while highlighting on the role of the mass media in democracy notes that the  press not  only sustains  the  democratic principles but also end with transition period.  The media should  help in ushering  in democracy  they should play a  crucial role in nurturing and sustaining the success or failure of our practice of democratic government. To  large extent, their success  depends on how well the  mass media carries out their function  as the midwife of democracy.

This research therefore is intended to investigate how far the  mass media had fulfilled this avowed obligations.

It  is hoped that the result of his work will be useful to the media practitioners in the proper performance of their  duties.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEMS

          In democracies the mass media are the watch dog of the people.  The citizens are usually mobilized and informed to create awareness on the political process and programmes to ensure a viable political culture.

By  political culture, I refer to a system of politic in which  sovereignty is vested on the people rather than a small clique, or  an oligarchy, a political arrangement hat rule of law, majority rule and  constitutionals is the basic guiding principal.

Perhaps, it could be argued that the political crisis that pervaded our recent past points to the fact most of our people are ignorant of an apartetic towards the country’s political culture, it is therefore very easy to observe that in Nigeria, electioneering and voting pattern cannot be validated, in the voting pattern of Nigerians and the possible estimation of the vote attitude towards political issues.

 

• OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The level of political participation in Nigeria and Enugu state in particular seems to be very low.  Also the  political crisis occurring in this country has equally been attributed to several  factors.  The purpose of this study is to identify the reason  or  reasons that have contributed to this low political participation  in Nigeria politics.

In doing so, what usually comes to mind is to ask the question “what is the reason for the low  political participation in Nigeria politics and equally the  causes of the constant  political crisis?  As usual, it may by traced to  several factors.  .like low level of awareness and tribalism, how can this awareness be obtained ?

This will lead us to this research topic. Therefore, this study is intended to inquire into low political participation in Nigeria politics and  equally trace the genesis of the political crisis that identifies the factors responsible and  solution sought.

 

1.4  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

       it is expected that this study would be immense benefit to the government, the mass media and the people of this country.  This study will highlight the importance of the mass media as a vehicle for political mobilization in a transition era.

Through, the mass media especially the radio and television, Nigeria might have a chance  of having a viable political culture and help to choose a leadership that will inculcate a    viable and sustaining democracy.  This will also give us a society blessed with.

As  right put by  GORAN HEDEBRO:- “Communication media can create a climate of change by including a new values, attitude and models  or behavour favorable to modernization, teach new  skills act as a multiplier of resource of knowledge, raise level of  aspiration of incentive for action raise level of participation in decision making help people to find new norms and  harmony in  period of transition change the power structure of the society by giving knowledge to the masses create sense of nations, lead to  increase political activity or participation promote people’s need satisfying project and make economic  social and politically development a self perpetuating process”.

1.5  RESEARCH QUESTION

       The basic question posed as a result of these problem including the following:

1. Have the media been participating in elections in Nigeria and Enugu state in particular?
2. Has ethnic problem been hindering the smooth conduct of election in this country?
3. Can the masses in this country be mobilized and informed using mass media organ?
4. Finally what role has the mass played to ensure a viable democracy?

1.6  HYPOTHESES

H₁: Thee has been low participation in elections in Nigeria and  Enugu state particular.

Ho: There has not been low participation in elections in Nigeria and Enugu in particular.

H₂: Ethnic problem has been hindering the smooth conduct of  election in this  country.

Ho:  Ethnic problem has not been hindering the smooth conduct of  election in this country.

H₃: The masses in this country can not be mobilized and  informed  using the  mass media organ.

 

1.7  DEFINITION OF TERMS

       Conceptual and operational definitions:

1. ROLE

 

• Conceptual:- persons or duties in an undertaking;
• Operational: – function or part of the duty the mass media do to contribute national political consciousness and development.

2. MASS MEDIA

(a)     Conceptual: – Existing channel through which government and its citizens communicate to each other or means through which greater number of people are reached spontaneously with information.

3. MOBILIZE

• Conceptual: – Render something or somebody move from initial position.
• Operational:- Cause people to be actively involved  in politics  to be politically minded and conscious and to believe in political process and result.

4. CENSORSHIP

• Conceptual:- process of finding faults from whatever somebody else does.
• Operational:- unlimited supervision of the activities of the press by those in government to punish what seems to the government as conditions.

 

1.8     LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

          Since this research is directed at the mass media and political mobilization the research is centered on the Broadcasting   media in Enugu state. (i.e. the Enugu Broadcasting service ESBS).

1.9     THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

          The entire study of mass communication is based on the premise that there are effects from the media, yet it seems to be the issue on which there is least certainty  and least agreement.

This apparent uncertainty is the more surprising since every day experience provides countless examples of small effects.

Consequently we live in a world where political  and  government processes are based on  the assumption that we know what is going on from press and television and radio.  There are few people who can trace piece of  information or opinion to  a source in the media and much money and effort is spent in directing media to achieve such effects.  It is on the basis of this that research work since mobilization has to do with the effectiveness of the media.

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