THE IMPACT OF PRINT MEDIA OWNERSHIP PATTERN ON EDITORIAL CONTENT OF NIGERIAN NEWSPAPERS

 A CONTENT ANALYSIS STUDY OF FOUR NATIONAL DAILIES

(GUADIAN, VANGUARD, DAILYSUN AND DAILY TIMES)

ABSTRACT

 The purpose of this study is the evaluate the extent to which ownership impact on additional content of the print media in Nigeria newspapers.

Being an analysitic study, it aims at finding degree of impact of the print media handed on the following.

Whenever ownership impact the extent of factuality in the editorials of the print media. Whether Nigeria editorials are written in favour of the owners of the print media

To evaluate the level of prominence given to political issues in the editorials. And finally, to evaluate the editorial are based on accepted code of ethnis of journalism. In order to empirically investigate the above research problem. The research used the content analysis method. Four national dailies namely: The daily times, daily sun, vanguard and guardian were used as empirical data. A total of one hundred eight seven issuesa were received for a period of six months, starting from March to August 20906.After the data were collected, the researcher analysed them using simple percentage and chi-square contingency table. The result show that ownership impact the slant of editorial print media conformed to the code of ethnics of Nigerian journalisms.

In views of the above finding, the researcher recommend that a further study to evaluate the degree of favourability to government view and issues by government and private owned newspaper.

Also a study is recommend which will seek to establish the extent of academic and professional training of editor in both private and government owned print media.

Finally, similar study should be conducted utilizing a combination of content analysis and survey research.

CHAPTER ONE:

• Introduction

1.1    Background of the study

1.2     The history of the press in Nigeria

1.3     Statement of research problem

1.4     Objective of the study

1.5     Research question

1.6     Research hypothesis

1.7     Definition of terms

1.8     Assumption

1.9     Limitation of the study

1.10   Theoretical framework.

 

CHAPTER TWO

• Review of literature

2.1     Source of literature

2.2     Summary of literature

2.3     The press in politics

2.4     Review on agenda setting theory

 

CHAPTER THREE

3.0     Research methodology

3.1     Research design

3.2     Research sample

3.3     Measuring instrument

3.4     Data collection

3.5     Method of data analysis

 

CHAPTER FOUR

Data analysis and presentation

4.1     Data presentation

4.2     Statistical testing of hypothesis

4.3     Analysis and interpretation

4.4     Discussion

 

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0     Summary and recommendation

5.1     Summary

5.2     Importance of result

5.3     Recommendations

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

 

1.0      INTRODUCTION

1.1      BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Communication is the most powerful tool today with which man tries to conquer some of this natural in capabilities in order to achieve his desire.

Like any other human activity, communication has its peculiar characteristic as well as problems. Whenever communication is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is mass media which is the most advanced vehicle of communication.

Mass media as the “mirror of the society” like the weather is always with us and provides constant material for conservation and adverse comments. This goes on to say that communication or mass media are synonymous with living. The mass media because of it’s strategic importance to man, had became an instrument in shaping the event of the day both on the local and global scenes.

According to mc combs (1996) “ The press is quite adopt in handling major misfortune such as assassinations of political leaders, outbreak of war and economic catalyst rophes. The press can respond rapidly to such events more rapidly than most public or quasi public institution.

The press in no small measure helps to educate and enlighten the masses on issues of importance. However, it is worthy to note that the media are most powerful and in influencing political behaviour of all levels.

The press in any society is conditioned by the principle underlying that society. Essentially, there are two basic theories of the press. These are authoritarian and libertarian theories of the press as opted by Elochukwu.

The socio-political ideology of a country is reflective of the kind of press system in existence in that country. The American which operates liberal democracy has the structure of media ownership and control mostly private. Consequently, they enjoy an enviable degree of editorial freedom which is only limited by the law of defamatives.

The authoritarian theory of the press insists on the right of a small and ruling elite who decide what the society should know and believe, as such the press is controlled through liciencing sedition, blasphemy and similar status. This is practical in authoritarian countries like Nigeria.

The concept assume that the major function of the mass media are to support and advance the policies of the government in power, while to inform, entertain sell and check on government, enlighten the people on event around them are the basic tasks of the media as postulated by Laswell(1972).

The Libertarian theory of press is not an instrument of government nor a spokes man for the ruling class rather it is “a mirron, an education that bind all thre society”. This is the theory we uphold.

Another concept known as the development philosophy of the press was put forward in 1960 by Willen Schram, David Lerner, Ethiel de. Solappod Ellerett Rogersetal (1960). It is meant for the less developed nation such as Ghana, Cameroon etc.   The factor of ownership should not be a constraint to the journalists in reporting the facts of an issues. It is the study of the journalist to balance the interest of his employer with that of the public. The ability to balance conflicting interest such as politics, salaries is the mark of a good journalist conflicts such as these exist in other professional and their resolution determine the success and failure of the prationers.

The media house are bound to fail if the edition do not have the ability to strike a balance. The issue of government or individual control of the press completely affect the press performance. Instead of the press performing their function, they have become indispensable tolls for retaining power by those controlling them. In developing countries, they even tend to abandon their responsibilities of serving as agent of survelliance of the society and have resumed the role of government mouth piece.

Therefore, for an information to be taken serious or attended to by the people, the source of information and the media through which the information is passed is very relevant. As such ownership is considered before an information is accepted as factual and unbiased.

Therefore, this research work will look into the impact of the print media ownership pattern on editorial contents of the Nigeria newspapers.

 

THE HISTORY OF THE NIGERIA PRESS

The Nigeria press began in the 19^th century, it began with the inception of the first newspaper Iwe Irohin.It was founded by Revered Henry Townsew, an Anglican clergyman from England, in 1859.

Iwe irohin, according to Onuka Kalu (1989), spear herded the attack on slavey which was still being carried out at that time. However, Iwe irohin lasted eight years. It was followed by Angola Africa. Founded in 1863 by Robert Campbell an Afrowest India.

The aim was to exploit the growing interest in western education and enlightenment in Lagos (in the 1860s),  by providing cheap and accessible material which would educate, inform, entertain its reader.

Nigeria involved in the newspaper business increase around 1880, beginning with the Lagos times found by Richard Reale Benjamin in 4^th February, 1880 followed by Lagos observe owned by j. Blackall in 1882.

The newspaper industry continued to grow one phenomenon of that time was far publishers to term up as editors and publish a newspaper. Among such were, John Payne Jackson, founder of Lagos weekly times in 1889.Also, Kitoye, a Jass publisher and editor of the Nigeria pioneer for a period of thirteen years.

In 1894, George A. Williams found the Lagos standard. The Lagos spectator and the Lagos echo came up at about the same time while the Lagos reporter was born on September 12, 1898. As the press grew more newspaper were published the African messenger of Ernest Ikoli thrived from 1921 to 1926.

In 1925, Herbert Macaulay founded the Lagos Daily news. This became the first newspaper in the country and it lasted till 1936. In 1937, Nnamdi Azikiwe started the west African pilot and brilliantly managed it to become the bedrood of his other newspaper.

The daily times was established in 1926 by Rish Barrow in partnership with Adeyomo Alakija and other business men. All these newspaper were from Lagos expect for some provincial weeklies. Between 1921 and 1937 newspaper appeared in the province of calabar, Onisha, Aba, Ibadan and so on.

On attainment of independence in 1960, government entered into newspaper business with the establishment of various newspaper. Such as the daily times when the federal government went into partnership with the owners. Other newspaper are the new Nigerian, Nigeria observe, Nigeria tide, Daily times and so forth. Today, many newspaper are established in the country both private and government owned.

 

 

 

 

          EVALUATING THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE NEWSPAPER

The early press in Nigeria was very local and perform its constitutional obligation creditably by ensuring that the government of the day was accountable to the people.

The press also ensured that all government policies and activities were reported to the people in an objective manner without fear or favour. The press campaigned against all forms of racial discrimination and segregation both in the civil service and public life. In carrying out these campaigns. The press used the editorial page most of the time to put its view across to the public or the government.

For instance, Lagos Times opposed the education ordinance of 1882 which made the reading and writing of English language compulsory. In its editorial comment on the issue, it wrote.

“ we shall not sit tamely to witness murder, death and burial of one of those important distinguishing of national and racial marks that God has given us in common to other tribes, nation and races and not to protect against all the enemies that we can common”.

Among the front line journalist whose pens were highly respected because of their uncompromising stand in criticism to colonial rule and domination in stand is criticism to colonial rule and domination in their various newspaper were the following person Nnadi Azikiwe who founded the west African pilot John Payne Jackson founder of both weekly Times and Lagos weekly record. James Bright Davies owner of the Nigerian Times and many others.

The performance of the press after the independence of 1960, came under serve criticism especially the government newspaper, increase coker, a journalist and historian of the Nigerian press remarked that , “ one disburbing feature of government owned newspaper in the years after independence was their failure to distinguished between the ruling party and the government so that were, for all practical purposes, party organ financed by the public”

 

THE EDITORIAL

The editorial can be traced to the earliest days of the newspaper especially when editors started departmentalizing the newspaper. It also started with the free marked place of ideas especially the libertarian social responsibility system of the press.

The place of the editorial in print media content is enviable. It is one of the most important item in a newspaper or magazine.

Editorial is the opinion of the media house on sensitive matters. It is the instrument for achieving the mass media function and opinion formation and opinion change. It crusades, sustain and introduce crusade.

Crusade and power of media could not have been achieved without regular support from editorials.

 

EVALUATION OF SOME EDITORIALS IN NIGERIA PRESS

The editorial were to emphasis on self government and the creative of political awareness in the mind of Nigerians.

The Nigeria Time : a weekly publication by J.B.Davides , in its maides educational on April,1910 titled “ the tower of Babu”  in condition of the colonial states.

“Political. Social and economic fabrics of this nation existence is threatened  with decay and ruin under a nlthless policy of government because of the prevailing confusion of longues”

The edition al, when adequately utilized in  expressing an informed opinion on topical in society, help members of the society in writing to guide them towards a particular direction convincingly.

 

STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS

Because of the importance of additional opinion formation , the research wants to find out how ownership of the print media affect the editor.

Whether ownership patters of the print media has  any impact in the additional of the print media and how far does the contents conform with accepted journalist ethnics.

 

1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The study is aimed at evaluating the extent of ownership pattern on editorial content of the print media. To find whether Nigeria editorial are written in favour of the owners of the print media and to evaluate the editorial are based an accepted codes of other of journalism. To find out the level of prominence given to political issues in the editorials.

Finally, to evaluate the most suitable type of ownership for Nigeria print media that will be comfortable for journalistic profession in Nigeria

 

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTION

This study looks forward to answer the following:

Does ownership of print media affect editorial?

Print media, privately owned and government owned?

Which one covers political issues, events well and prominent?

How far do the content, conform to accepted professionalism in journalism?

 

1.6     RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Based on the research question above, the researcher intends to answer the following hypothesis.

HA1 Ownership pattern of print media have impact on the factuality of the editorial in both government and private print media.

H0 Ownership pattern, does not have impact on factuality of the editorial in both government and private print media.

HA2 Editorial in government print media are pro-government in their reports than privates owned print media.

H0 Editorial in government print media, are not pro-government in their report than private owned print media.

HA3 Government print media give more prominence to political issues than private print media.

H0 Government print media give more prominence to political issues than private print media.

HA4 Editorial in both private and government print media conmform to ethnics of journalism.

H0 Editorial in both private and government print media do not conform to ethnics of journalism.

 

 

 

 

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

PRINT MEDIA

Conceptual: A publication issued daily, weekly, forthnightly containing news, opinions, features, editorials and advertisement.

Operational: These are Daily times, vanguard, the guardian and Daily sun.

OWNERSHIP:

Conceptual: Possession of anything either publicity or privately owned by rawful right.

Operational: As possession of Daily Times, vanguard, the guardian newspaper and Daily sun.

EDITORIAL CONTENTS:

Conceptual: An article in a print media written by an editor or journalist of that print media house.

Operational: A message from the print media house stating the opinion of the house on an issuers of general importance.

IMPACT:

Conceptual:Impact on somebody,s character, believe or action thyrough admiration or fear.

Operational: Ethnic means fairness and balance in editorial publications.

1.8 ASSUMPTIONS

This study is based on the following assumption. That the print media whether governmet or private owned give an objective editorial. That the Nigeria print media have favourable orientation toward events or information they publish.

Finally, that the editorial conform to the accepted ethnic of journalism.

 

1.9 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY.

The scope of this study is limited to the editorial in four Nigeria print media, starting from 1^st May, 2006 to  30 th August, 2006. This was during the Nigeria political crisis under the regime of president Olusegun Obasanjo.

The print media are two, government owned newspaper viz Daily Times and Daily sun and two private owned newspaper viz, vanguard and guardian. These national print media were chosen due to their availability to the public and they are widely read in Nigeria. The study limited itself to the political situation in Nigeria between March to August, 2006. The president election in view of the following.

1. Presidential campaign
2. Election proper
3. Cancellation of the third tenure.

1.10 Theoretical framework

Here the researcher uses Agenda setting theory and cultivation theory as a theatricals framework.

This Agenda setting by the media can be traced to Walter Lippman (1922) who suggested that the media were responsible for the “picture in our heads”.

Agenda setting describe a very powerful influence of the media, the ability to tell us what issues are important. Those issues or individual that issues and individual we think and talk about. According to the theory, those topics issues and individuals we think became important because of the media attention they received.

As Kunczik point out, appropriate procedure for examining agenda-setting involved comparison between media content over a certain period and the sub ject that most people in the society are discussing. The greater the consonance, the more the agenda setting hypothesis is confirmed.

The cultivation theory

The theory propounded by Gerbner, Gross, signorelli and morgan (1980, 1986) asserts that the media, especially television, exerts a tremendous influence by attering individual perception of reality. Today, television serves as a major mediun from which most societies acquire their consciousness, belief, norms and v alues. The media especially the television has subsumed other source of information, ideas and socialization like religious family school. The effect of all this exposure consequently produce cultivation or the teaching of a common world view, common roles and common value.

According to Gerbner and Gross, (1976) television’s major function becomes that of “enculturation” by which most people develop standardized roles and behaviour for example, media content ( especially print) are changing the world into many things like speech comportment, dressing crime and politics.

Download our android mobile app for more materials

ORDER NOW

COMPLETE MATERIAL  COST  N2,500 Or $10.  FRESH  PROJECT MATERIAL  COST 50,000 NAIRA FOR UNDERGRADUATE, OTHERS 100,000 -200,000 NAIRA.

THE NATURE AND CONSEQUENCES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF ENUGU NORTH LGA, ENUGU STATE

Foreign Transaction For Dollars Payment :
Bank Name: GTBank
Branch Location: Enugu State,Nigeria.
Account Name: Chi E-Concept Int’l
 Account Number:  0117780667. 
Swift Code: GTBINGLA 
Dollar conversion rate for Naira is 175 per dollar. 

ATM CARD:  YOU CAN ALSO MAKE PAYMENT USING YOUR ATM CARD OR ONLINE TRANSFER. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR BANK SECURITY FOR GUIDE ON HOW TO TRANSFER MONEY TO OTHER BANKS USING YOUR ATM CARD. ATM CARD OR ONLINE BANK TRANSFER IS FASTER FOR QUICK DELIVERY TO YOUR EMAIL . OUR MARKETER WILL RESPOND TO YOU ANY TIME OF THE DAY. WE SUPPORT CBN CASHLESS SOCIETY. 

OR
PAY ONLINE USING YOUR ATM CARD. IT IS SECURED AND RELIABLE.

form>DELIVERY PERIOD FOR BANK PAYMENT IS  LESS THAN 24 HOURS

CALL OUR  CUSTOMERS CARE  OKEKE CHIDI C ON :  08074466939,08063386834.

AFTER PAYMENT SEND YOUR PAYMENT DETAILS TO

08074466939 or 08063386834, YOUR PROJECT TITLE  YOU WANT US TO SEND TO YOU, AMOUNT PAID, DEPOSITOR NAME, UR EMAIL ADDRESS,PAYMENT DATE. YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR MATERIAL IN LESS THAN 2 HOURS ONCE WILL CONFIRM YOUR PAYMENT.

WE HAVE SECURITY IN OUR BUSINESS.   

MONEY BACK GUARANTEE