CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The term mass media according to McQuail [2000] is shortened to describe

a means of communication that operates on a large scale reaching and

involving virtually everyone in a society to a greater or lesser degree.

Media is plural of medium which means a channel or vehicle through which

something is transmitted. In other words mass media are channels of

communication in a modern society primarily the print and the electronic

media. MCQuail further describes the mass media as the organized many

receivers within a short space of time. The mass media are impersonal

communication sources that reach large audiences. The primary function of

the mass media system is to provide information to several millions of

people. The mass media are extremely influential. Each of the media is

presumed tom affect perceptions and behaviour in a distinctive way. They

can affect the society and vice versa. The mass media are the uniquely

modern means of public communication and much of their importance lies

in the fact that they are a major cause of whatever modes of perception

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thought public discourse and political action. Because of their size and the

larger number of people they reach the mass media tremendous impact on

society. Murphy (1977) sums up societal impacts of the media in different

way as oil give and dynamite. As oil Murphy asserts that media of

communication keep the world running smoothly by helping individuals

adjust to the reality of lives. They keep society on and healthy by

suggesting solutions that are socially acceptable.

As given social cohesion is maintained by communication. Murphy

contends that the media give all of us including strangers something to

talk about by setting agenda of discussion. And that over the years

communication builds up and reinforces the fabrics that hold a society

together. Murphy also describes the mass media as dynamites that can rip

the society apart. A good example of this is the propaganda campaigns

that preceded the Russian revolution in 1917 and Hitler‟s rise to the

German chancellorship in 1933. Similarly the mass media particularly the

newspaper and magazine played a tremendous role in the struggle for

Nigeria‟s independence in 1960.

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1.2 THE CONCEPT OF PRESS FREEDOM

There is a general notion that press freedom is bard to define. While others

look at it as the night to communicate ideas opinions and information

through the printed word without government restraint the difficulty

actually lies in defining the word “Press” itself. Is the word “press” made up

of newspaper magazine journals or does it include broadcasting and other

forms of communication yet dreamt of? Another dilemma in demystifying

the concept of press freedom is in the degree of freedom sought or implied

in the concept.

Press freedom is practically the same thing with freedom of expression

which many people believe is the mother of all freedom. Press freedom

connotes a free flow of information and the rights to disseminate

information. According to Thomas Matting Resident Representative

Nigeria the relevance of the media in democracy is undisputed. Media

freedom is a fundamental political freedom based on the right to free

speech. The media set the stage for public discussion and undertakes to be

a watchdog of government action. But media freedom is fragile good and

journalists are particularly exposed to threats. They operate at the

frontlines of a battle for political power that is often waged with deadly

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weapons. Censorship harassment and imprisonment of journalists and

political control of news outlets are some of the most often cited dangers

to a free media. Reports about killings of journalists frequently shock the

public less often cited is the overall working and welfare situation of

journalists. However the freedom from fear and want is one of the four

fundamental human freedoms that the us president Franklin D. Roosevelt

emphasized in 1941. Without it being granted a country can have perfect

media laws; it can establish codes of conducts for journalists and boost

media plurality (all this fundamentally endangered it Journalists operate

under conditions of fear and deprivation).

Though there is no absolute press freedom anywhere in the world.

However Nigeria which professes to have one of the most free presses in

Africa has a lot of limitations to press freedom. Sunday

(2006 : 115) argued that press freedom is limited in the overall interest of

the society by the constitution the legislature the courts and the

government. It is contradictory to discover that the some constitution

which guarantees press freedom takes away the same freedom it gives to

media men. The 1999 constitution for instance has given conditions for

expression of freedom. According to this statute book expression of

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freedom is subject to any law that is reasonably Justifiable in a democratic

society.

1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Social researchers have argued that media operations are significantly

influenced by ownership. Mediated information is always filtered through a

prism; that is shaped by actors at all levels of information gathering

packaging and dissemination from the importer/produced through the

series of increasingly senior editions. Each brings his various biases to bear

as the process the information. Owners are no exception. Content is

created within a framework and media owners have their own framework

that is shaped by ideological political commercial or other interest. Given

this background the study provides an analysis of the contemporary media

environment in both private and public organizations.

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1.4 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The aim of the research is to investigate the climate of press freedom in

the media environment of public and private organizations. The way to do

this research is to analyses the trend in media developments in Nigeria and

elsewhere and to investigate the climate of media practice in general. In

order to carry out this research the following objectives will be followed.

To examine the meaning of additional freedom on public and private

media organizations.

To define the extent of state interference in the operations of media

organizations.

To assist in promoting media quality in Nigeria.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The researcher‟s attention in this research work will be focused on how

to answer the following questions;

To what extent is there connection between press freedom and the

structure of media ownership in the private and public organizations

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How can governmental regulations unintentionally harm press freedom

while protecting other freedoms?

To what extent does the establishment of a press council guarantee

press freedom

To what extent is there a global cultural crisis around freedom of the

press.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The research provides an overview of current professional practice of

journalism as against ownership structures and the exercise of press

freedom. It also throws light on the major challenges and the current

critical issues impeding the growth and development of the media and

hindering their effective functioning as key agents of good governance in

Nigeria. The project also supports journalist in their bid to unit their efforts

to raise professional standards and thus strengthen the social standing of

journalism.

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1.7 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to investigate the climate of press freedom in both

private public media organizations. Other aspects of the media field are not

included in the study. In theoretical part the study analysis partly te

relationship between press freedom and the media ownership between

structures both in public and private organization other elements of media

strategy are not included. The study does not deal with the detail operative

level of media company‟s activities. In addition it does not have any

certain geographic area it would concentrate on.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Airtime: starting time of TV to radio programme.

Freelance: An unaffiliated writer photographer cameraman artist or

other person who is available on assignment or contract basis.

Internal communication: communication with personal or members of a

company or organisation.

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Documentary: information film or television show with a unified subject

or purpose.

External publication: a publication issued by an organisation to people

outside its own employee or membership groups such as to customers

the local community the financial wild etc.

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