Tag Archives: Journalism

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND JOURNALISM PRACTICE

IMPACT OF FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT ON JOURNALISM PRACTICE: A STUDY OF JOURNALISM PRACTICE IN UYO COMMUNITY- FROM JANUARY TO JUNE 2013

ABSTRACT

This project on ― impact of Freedom of Information Act: A study of journalism practices in Uyo community – from January to June, is aimed at finding out how Freedom of Information Act impact positively on the life of practicing journalists in Uyo community. 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 impact positively on the life of working journalists in Uyo community and strengthens the constitutional guarantee of freedom to receive and impact information and ideas without any hindrance. Again, the respondents proved that Freedom of Information Act empower the professionalism and the ethics of journalism.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     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 and private organization, 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 of media.

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 was forbidden.

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 because they are rational beings. According to Siebert pater so et ela ―the libertarian liable 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 on
  • Non access to public information kept by government, public institution and private bodies.
  • Criticism and government

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 objective relevant.

  1. To find out the Impacting of Freedom of Information Act (FOI) on journalist practices in Uyo Community.
  2. To know the extent of Freedom of Information Act Practice in Uyo
  3. To determine how Uyo L G A (local government area) encourages Freedom of Information Act.

1.4     Research Questions

The researcher‘s attend in the research work will be focused on how to answer the following questions;

  1. What are the impacts of freedom of Information Act on journalists in Uyo community
  2. What are the extents of Freedom of Information Act among practicing Journalist in Uyo Community
  3. How does the government of Uyo community encourages Freedom of Information Act.

1.5     Scope of the Study

This study is mainly focuses on the residence of Uyo community which include the four clans of Uyo local government of Akwa Ibom state.

1.6     Significance of the Study

This study is aim at promoting and encouraging the new law ―Freedom of Information Act‖ in Uyo community and Nigeria at large. The study will be of great benefit 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 Uyo community.

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 Uyo community.

Act: This is a law made by a parliament or similar body in Uyo community.

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 Uyo community.

Uyo Community: This is a city in the south eastern Nigeria and is the capital of Akwa Ibom state. The city became a capital of Akwa Ibom state on September 23, 1997 following the creation of Cross River. Uyo is bounded by; Abak, Itu, Uruan, Ibesikpo Asutan and Etinan local government all in Akwa Ibom State. She is made up of four (4) clans which includes; Ikono, Etio, Oku, and Offort clan. She has a total population of 309,513(male 153, 11 and female 156,460) according to 2006 National census.

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The Challenges of Journalism Practice in Nigeria

THE CHALLENGES OF JOURNALISM PRACTICE IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This research exercise is on the challenges of journalism practice in Nigeria (A study of Nigerian Television Authority, Enugu). The research study adopted the systems theory and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory as the theoretical framework for this study. The research population comprised 89 staff workers and the research study adopted the number as the sample size for the study. The questionnaire served as instrument of data collection. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentage method. The research work made some of the following findings; that too much of government control, shortage of staff, lack of modern /adequate equipment, poor salary, inadequate funding and employment of non-professionals are among the major challenges affecting the media in carrying out their duties. It was recommended that; journalists working in state government owned media station should realize that they are serving the public and not the state chief executives alone and so must pay adequate attention to social responsibility principle of the press.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Journalism in Nigeria has continued to grow immensely in line with global trends despite strong infrastructural challenges. Communicating with a mass audience is not totally strange in Nigeria. Thus, mass media have been important tools in communication, and through which information is passed across within the society (Ben, 2016).

In mass communication, the media are divided into the electronic (broadcast) and print media. The print media involves mainly magazine and newspaper; they are informers which provide retrievable, researched, in-depth and interpretative news stories of events. The broadcast media comprise of the radio and television, it has not been as enterprising as it should be. This is due to the majority ownership and control of the broadcast media by the government. These two branches of the media has played vital role in broadcasting of information in the society. 

Abdur-Rahman (2013) in describing the media roles noted that broadcast is a society wide type of message dissemination, which involves the transmission of ideas, words, sounds, pictures and values in the form of signals through the airwaves to a target audience. Ben (2016) opined that broadcasting is an activity of a branch of the media of mass communication called the electronic media that use transmitters and airwaves in the transmission of news and information to their heterogeneous audience.

According to Munyua (2010), information is the least expensive impute for societal development and it can also be viewed as a basic necessity ingredient for bringing about social and economic change in any nation. On this fact, Santas and Ogoshi (2015) stated that the mass media play crucial roles in achieving developmental objectives at local, national and international level. The further noted that the mass media has been recognized as an important resource for mobilizing an entire nation towards national development. Being an integral part of the social system, the mass media is a major stakeholder in the realization of sustainable development in Nigeria. Thus, in the process of information dissemination the media prepares the ground for development.

However, there are several factors hindering the effectiveness of the media in information dissemination. Santas and Ogoshi (2015) opined that factors like corruption, poor communication channels, illiteracy, inadequate infrastructure, poor implementation framework and political instability has continued to pose great challenges to the achievement of sustainable development of Nigeria media. Otolo (2015) also highlighted that ownership is one of the major problems facing the media in Nigeria, be it State or Federal. In most cases, there is a stigma on journalists who work in these media houses as they are often seen as government’s propagandists. Journalists are made to give the activities of their government owner more prominence at the expense of other important issues. When they fail to do so, regardless of their role or importance to the media organization, the reporters risk being sacked or demoted unless they are lucky.

According to Udeajah (2014), everything points to the fact that ownership has had some significant effect on the operations of broadcast organizations in Nigeria. The policy of the persons who pay the broadcaster’s salary determines the operation of the media station. Ben (2016) observed that the government owned media houses in Nigeria have been known to suffer a myriad of problems which have left them redundant and reduced them to mere “government handouts”. This is as a result of the overbearing influence of the government owners on the media houses. Barnabas (2017) stated that due to the government control of the electronic media, they lack credibility and objectivity. This can be accounted in the caliber of workers they parade. He further noted that the media is heavily being affected by poorly educated editor and reporters who are easily target for manipulation by the government and its agents.

In the same vein, it is important to note that beyond the control from the government as posing as one of the challenges affecting the media in disseminating information, the new media idea poses a great challenge to most media houses in Nigeria. The new media rely strongly on digitally powered technologies, allowing for previously separate media to converge. Media convergence is a phenomenon of new media and this can be explained as a digital media. According to Flew, (2012), “The idea of new media captures both the development of unique forms of digital media, and the remaking of more traditional media forms to adopt and adapt to the new media technologies”. This obviously accounts for the reliance on computers, smart phones, tablets, and other medium instead of the previous analogue means of information gathering. The most prominent example of media convergence is the Internet, whereby the technology for the streaming of video and audio has now changed the face of broadcasting and movies rapidly.

According to Barnabas (2017) a challenge in using the new media in public service is the fact that new media technologies are very expensive. This is a major limitation to the use of the new media technologies as advertising channels in digital television as it increases the cost of producing and running commercials. Daniel, Ezekiel, and Leo (2013) noted that countries like Nigeria have low level of technology penetration including new media technologies and lack of availability of these the basic postulates of these technologies. This has made the use of new media technologies to move on a slow pace. Just to highlight these few as being part of the challenges hindering the media in playing their role effectively. Hence, this research study aimed in examining the challenges of journalism practice in Nigeria with focus on Nigerian Television Authority, Enugu.

1.2     Statement of Problem

The media is regarded as the fourth estate of the realm, this can be said to be the role, bestowed on the media by nature. They are endued with the responsibility to inform and educate the public on the happenings in the society. Despite the essential roles play by the media in ensuring that there is free flow of information within the society, there are still some problems affecting them in carrying out these roles.

One of such problem is the freedom of information. All over the world, press freedom has always been a controversial issue, Africa is not an exception especially in Nigeria where there are often arrest or detention of journalists or media workers by security operatives. It is has gotten to the extent that journalists are often assassinated and there are no proper investigation to carry out for such incidence.

Nigeria media houses often complain about the epidemic power supply and inability of government of the day to address the issue have affected the media in disseminating information. Also, it is wise to note that to cover news periodically at anywhere and at anytime requires sophisticated equipments, which are new media technologies. These new media technologies are expensive to afford and this have made most media houses not to go total digital because they cannot afford to purchase new technologies.

Also, government control over the media is one of the problems affecting the credibility of the media in disseminating information freely in the society. Oloruntola (2009) noted that government control over the media hinders factual, accurate, balance and fair reporting of the media houses, especially those owned by the government. These problems mentioned above could be trace to be responsible for limiting the media from disseminating information freely.

1.3     Objective of the Study

The main objective of this study was to examine the challenges of journalism practice in Nigeria. Other specific objectives include to:

  1. Identify the challenges militating against the media in disseminating information.
  2. Ascertain the influence of these media challenges on the practice of journalism profession in Nigeria.
  3. Find out the influence of government control on the activities of the media in Nigeria.

1.4     Research Questions

This study was guided by the following research question:

  1. What is the challenges militating against the media in disseminating information?
  2. What is the influence of these media challenges on the practice of journalism profession in Nigeria?
  3. What is the influence of government control on the activities of the media in Nigeria?

1.5     Scope of the Study

This work will concentrate on the entire activities of Nigeria Television Authority Enugu, Enugu State.

1.6      Significance of the Study

This study is significant in the following ways:

  • It would enable the researcher to expand the frontiers of research in digital broadcasting especially with the use of new media technologies, and how to render solution to some of the challenges hindering the media if he later becomes a media practitioner.
  • The findings and recommendation will be helpful to the government and its agents to administer effective control that will enable the media perform their functions effectively.
  • This work will serve as a guideline to enable media practitioners to gradually transform from the present analogue state of broadcasting in Nigeria and embrace a broadcasting environment that is driven by modern Information and Communication Facilities as obtainable in western countries, as it will render solutions to certain problems hindering the media.
  • It would add to the body of academic literatures on journalism in the mass communication department in different institution.
  • Lastly, this work would be beneficial to future researchers who can now readily lay their hands on the result of this work by making use of the research report.

1.7     Operational Definition of Terms

  • Media: conceptual (Wikipedia) Media is the collective communication-outlets or tools that are used to store and deliver information or data.
  • Ownership: Ownership means the complete legal right to control or run a media.
  • Content: is the information and experience directed towards an end user or audience.
  • Media Ownership: is the act of establishing controlling and financing the media outfit either by the government or private individual.
  • Government Media: This refers to government-owned newspapers located in the south-south geo-political zone of Nigeria.
  • Media Practitioners: this refers to a professional journalist who has undergone training and is working with a media organization.
  • Information: the created, stored, processed, retrieved and transmitted set of signals (or symbol)
  • Communication: The process of receiving and transmitting information, ideas and opinions from one person or group of persons to another.
  • Convergence: The merging and blending together of old and new media in terms of form, content and function.
  • Information Technology: A term commonly used to cover the range of technologies relevant to the transfer of information (Knowledge, data, text, drawing, audio recordings, video sequences, etc) in particular to computer, digital electronic, and telecommunication (Cambridge Encyclopedia, 2012)
  • Broadcast: Electronic means by which information is transmitted to a large and heterogeneous audience. The broadcast media include the radio and television stations.
  • New media: Modern Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) used as a channel for the dissemination of information to a heterogeneous audience regardless of time, space and distance e.g. Internet, DVD, mobile phones among others.
  • Old media: These are old media of communication that are essentially one directional like the newspaper, radio, television among others.

 

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READERS’ PERCEPTION OF THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS

ASSESSMENT OF READERS’ PERCEPTION OF THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS IN NIGERIAN NEWSPAPERS

ABSTRACT

Photographs in news stories can stimulate opinion change, either making a reader love the good advertised, or making the reader hate it.  In view of the foregoing, this study sought to ascertain an “Assessment of Readers Perception on the use of photographs in Nigerian Newspapers.  The population of this study in Enugu metropolis was about 123 but 119 readers participated in the study. The objectives of the study were: To ascertain if the use of photographs in Nigerian newspapers contribute to attracting attention of newspaper readers in Enugu Metropolis; To determine if newspaper readers view photographs in newspaper as space fillers or as aid to readers’ understanding, To ascertain if newspaper readers view photographs in newspaper as aiding credibility to stories or they are used for aesthetic appeal. The survey research design was adopted for the study; data for the study was sourced from primary sources, while data was analyzed using simple tables, frequency percentage.  Source Credibility Theory was used as a model of analysis.  The study found out that readers have different reactions to written words and pictures that are displayed on Nigerian newspapers.  It was subsequently recommended that proper training be given to journalist to enhance their competence in the field of practice, placement of photograph should represent the idea contained in the text and the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) should investigate obstacles to the flow of information on print media, ethical and professional standards in the media must be upheld. 

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1      Background of the study

For many years, photography has played an increasingly important role in the various media of mass communication that use visual messages to disseminate information (i.e. books, newspapers, magazine, film, television; and the internet – based media) (Ijeh, 2015).  Photographs have been known to greatly stimulate public interest in current events and human angle stories presented by the visual media of mass communication, and have also made tremendous contributions to the civilization and advancement of mankind (Ezekiel & Ezekiel, 2007).

The power of photographs in mass communication stems from the common knowledge that photographs are more powerful than words in message dissemination hence the dictum; “A picture can speak more than a thousand words”.  This is because photographs speak a universal language and are better able to elicit the same emotions from people on different sides of languages and educational divides (Ezekiel & Ezikiel, 2007; Fasheke 2004).

In addition to creating a greater emotional response, photographs are used to capture a reader’s attention to an article. Visual images are the gateway to a news story. Communication professor at the University of Oklahoma, Michael Pfau, claims that people do not merely pick up newspapers and magazines and start reading.  Rather, they look at them, check the headlines and photographs to determine which stories they would like to read (Pfau, 2006). In previous research, eye-tracking software has been used to determine which articles are read first, proving that a reader begins their perusal of a newspaper drawn to the most striking features – typically the headlines and photographs. According to (Pfau, 2006), readers are more likely to view a photograph, first before reading a text.  However, he noted that combining both text and photograph makes it three times more likely that at least some of the text will be read. He also noted that previous research with an eye-tracking device has also proven that readers are drawn to larger photos over smaller ones, and color images over black and white versions.

To the general public, photographs are deemed as credible sources of information. Viewers are more susceptible to believe images that they visually see, rather than what they hear or read (Pfau, 2006). Photographs tend to be taken at face value, exactly for what they represent, while a photograph and text seems to be less credible because “readers sense that the words are authored, but the image is a true representation” (Kepplinger, 1976).

Conversely to  Anderson 1989 cited in (Kepplinger, 1976) argues that, “though the photographic image may have powerful visual impact, it does not have the ability to give any in-depth explanation of the event it presents to a world eager to be informed. It cannot tell what happened before or after an event; it cannot give political or social context, much less an analysis. The camera does not know which of the events it captures are historically significant and which are not. As John et al. (1989) have noted, a photograph is time frozen, a moment yanked out of its before and after” and therefore requires an added textual analysis to accompany an image (Andersen, 1989).

According to Eunson (2008), a “stand alone” picture refers to a single photograph, with a caption that describes its content, published on a newspaper or magazine page whose other text or picture content are not related to the photograph in question.  Here the photograph with its caption tells a story alone and not in any way related to other news stories on the same newspaper or magazine page.  A picture is said to be accompanying a news story, its images and captions are directly related to a contiguous text of a newspaper or magazine news report.  In this case, the photograph is used to support the story text. “Picture – based” news stories sometimes refers to panorama of photographs on newspaper or magazine pages.  Here, sets of pictures that present different aspects of a particular subject, event or phenomenon are printed on dedicated newspaper/magazine pages with no textual report.  The set of photographs, with the aid of their captions tell the story.

The newspaper is one of the largest users of still pictures.  In this contemporary digital media space where all the media of mass ,communication (both offline and online) compete for audience and readership; pictures have become a veritable asset for these media outlets.  This competition has necessitated and propelled newspaper to become more innovative in their use of photographs to attract and sustain readership.  While some schools of thought argue that pictures aid readership of newspapers, others argue that they are irrelevant and make little or no impact on readers. It is therefore imperative against the already established background to ascertain reader’s perception of the use of photographs, specifically in the Nigerian Newspapers.

1.2       Statement of the Problems

Visuals can have a dramatic impact on a reader’s involvement and feelings towards an event or issue.  Images on newspapers have a powerful impact on readers’ attitude and understanding, and this impact and understanding cannot be created by text alone.  In a news context, the presence of a photograph can significantly affect the consumer’s attitude towards the framed issue.  While some readers might perceive pictures in newspapers as a support for the texts, others perceive it as something used in filling up the newspaper and making the pages numerous. To some also, it is just an act which serves to draw attention to a big story and to further illustrate statements made in the story and give the readers’ more details about the information presented.

This study was conceived to ascertain the perception of newspaper readers in Enugu metropolis of the use of photographs in Nigerian newspapers.

1.3        Objectives of the Study

  1. To ascertain if the use of photographs in Nigerian newspapers contribute to attracting attention of newspaper readers in Enugu Metropolis.
  2. To determine if newspaper readers in view photographs in newspapers as space fillers or as aid to readers’ understanding.
  3. To ascertain if newspaper readers view photographs in newspapers as aiding credibility to stories or they are used for aesthetic appeal.

1.4       Research Questions

  1. To what extent does the use of photographs in Nigerian newspapers contribute to attracting the attention of newspaper readers in Enugu metropolis?
  2. How do newspaper readers view this use of photographs as space filler or aid to readers’ understanding?
  3. How do newspaper readers view photographs in newspapers as aiding credibility of stories or for aesthetic appeal?,,,,

1.5       Scope of the Study

This study is focused on assessing newspaper reader’s perception of the use of photographs in Nigerian Newspapers. The researcher chose to limit the study to newspaper readers in Enugu East metropolis.  Further research can focus on newspaper readers in other parts of the state and other states of the nation.

1.6     Significance of the Study

This study is considered relevant for various reasons.

  1. It will contribute to available literature on the use of photographs in newspapers. Specifically, it will fill the gap in literature on the perception of the use of newspapers in newspaper as held by newspaper readers in Enugu metropolis.
  2. For print media practitioners, it could throw some additional light that will guide their use of photographs in newspapers and other print media vehicles.

1.7       Operational Definition of Terms

Photograph: A picture created by projecting an image onto a photosensitive surface such as a chemically treated plate or film, CCD receptor etc.

Newspaper:  A publication usually published daily or weekly and usually printed on cheap, low – quality paper, containing news and other articles.

Photojournalism: A form of journalism in which a story is told primarily through photographs and other images.

Readers: People who read newspapers.

Journalism:  The process of news gathering and dissemination through publication to a specific audience.

Perception:  Organization, identification and interpretation of sensory information.

Assessment:    The act of assessing something.

 

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PERCEPTION OF FEMALE MASS COMMUNICATION STUDENTS TOWARD JOURNALISM AS A CAREER IN NIGERIA

PERCEPTION OF FEMALE MASS COMMUNICATION STUDENTS TOWARD JOURNALISM AS A CAREER IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This research work focused on the perceptions of female mass communication students of Enugu state University of Science and Technology Enugu towards journalism as a career. The study aims at finding out the attitudes that are being displayed by female mass communication students towards journalism as a career. Survey method was adopted and the instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire. The population of the study according to the current attendance of ESUT female mass communication students were 370 girls out of which 192 were sampled using taro Yamani’s formula for getting sample size. Out of the 192 questionnaire were distributed, 190 were collected back. Data collected was analyzed in tables and simple percentages. The researcher found out that female mass communication students indeed have negative attitudes towards journalism as a career. The conclusion of the study was that female mass communication students have negative perception towards journalism as a career and there is discrimination, and there is discrimination against the female journalists in Nigeria. Again, it is also noteworthy that female roles as mothers and wives are some of the problems facing female journalists in Nigeria. This was evident on table 17 where 54% of the respondents affirmed to this. The study therefore recommended that media houses should make it as a point of duty to employ more of the female journalists just like they employ the male journalists.

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

In this age of information, everyone wants to be aware of the happenings around them. The media is the source of all that information, be it print media like the news papers, magazines and journals, the broadcast media radio and television or the electronic media like the internet etc. They are all called “journalism”. Journalists are those actually responsible for all that information believe it or not, they hold the power to influence the whole crowds with their firsthand information that they pass. It is their job to either be a part of the news that makes the difference or just utter rubbish in the name of information for the people to assimilate.

Journalism is a highly responsible job, and highly interesting at the same time. If someone is looking for a career in journalism, they should have a presentable and confident personality, along with the ability to write and present information accurately and consciously. Other essential requirements that highlight a good journalist are: an inquisitive bent of mind, good writing and communication skills, ability to differentiate between facts and fictions, intelligence, and interested in current affairs. Most importantly, must be capable of handling the unforeseen situation efficiently.

Journalism is the collection, preparation and distribution of news and related commentary and feature materials through such media as pamphlets, newsletter, magazines, radio, motion pictures, television, the internet and books.

The earliest known Journalists product was a newssheet in ancient Rome called the ACTA DIURNA published daily from 59 BC, it was hung in prominent places and recorded important social and political events.

Journalism in the 20th century was marked by a growing sense of professionalism. In our society today it has been observed that female student Journalists have negative attitude towards taking journalism as a career. This negative attitude is highly reflected in the number of mass media houses.  

Almost all institution of higher learning in Nigeria offer mass communication courses leading to the award of various degrees and certificates, including National Diploma, higher National Diploma, Bachelor, and master’s degrees.

The increases in the number of female graduates from all these institutions are not reflected in the media of communication in the country. Each Year, hundreds of female students graduate as mass communicators. A close look shows that the number of female Journalists students surpassed the number of males. But in the field today, a good number of these female graduates are not seen working in the various media houses scattered all over the country.

Reference to the convocation booklets from these schools revealed that a good number of female ass Communication students graduated from these schools. In the year 1997, about 150 female journalists graduated from Federal Polytechnic Oko. The Ogun state Polytechnic in the same year turned out about 86 female Journalist students and similarly. Between the year 2014 and 2015, Godfrey Okoye University Enugu graduated about 12 mass communication students of which 8 of them were females.

Similarly with other mass communication schools in the country for instance, in 1995, the convocation booklets of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, revealed that 45 female students graduated from the department of mass communication. In the year 2008, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) Awka, turned out about 58 female graduates from the Department of Mass Communication. Between the year 2008 and 2009, Caritas University Enugu graduated over 50 female journalists.

In other levels, the number of female students surpassed the number of male students in the Department of Mass Communication with a great difference.

In recent years, media houses in the western countries lack trained female Journalists in the various communication activities. Invariably, in Nigeria, this could be seen in most cases of the media houses in Nigeria. There has been an imbalance in the number of female, and male trained journalists working with them.

The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) had about twenty five trained Journalists on its staff list. Five out of the twenty- five are female. The Daily Star newspaper has newspaper had only six female journalists as its staff. The situation is similar in other media institutions throughout Nigeria.

1.2 Statement of the Research Problem

This study was undertaken because of the low participation of the female Journalist graduates towards practicing journalism as their career. Despite the fact that there is considerably number of trained female journalists, very few of them are wiling work with media houses in Nigeria.

A large number of female Journalists are produced from different institutions offering mass communication, but female participation in the profession is very negligible. One thing that is glaring in the Nigeria media is the near absence of Nigerian women as news makers. Though Nigeria is developing, it has gotten to a stage where the female Journalists and their male counterparts should be competing in the media houses.

The number of female Journalists in the field today is seen to be very few compared to the number that graduates from Journalism schools and universities. This dormant attitude of females tow the profession has resulted to the males claiming superiority over them in the field and as such not portraying a good image for the women in the society. This is because most men in the society believe that Journalism exposes the practitioners and makes the female counterparts lose their dignity.

Many female Journalists who work in the media sometimes do not show keen interest in their jobs. This affects the female practitioners as the male practitioners always tend to over shadow them both in position and in interest to work. This study therefore tends to find out why the female mass communication students have such perception when it comes to females being in the journalistic field.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

  1. To find out female mass communication students see journalism
  2. To know if there is any discrimination against the women journalists.
  3. To find out if there are wrong in about female journalist.
  4. To find out if the female roles as mothers and wives contribute to some of the problems facing female journalists.

1.4 Research Questions

  1. How do female mass communication students see journalism?
  2. Is there any discrimination against the women Journalists?
  3. Are there wrong impressions about the female Journalists?
  4. Are the female roles as mothers and wives some of the problems facing female Journalists?

1.5 Scope of the Study

The study covered the whole female mass communication students of Enugu state university of science and technology. This attributed to the fact that the main focus of the study is on female mass communication students. . .

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is very important because a lot of people are baffled over the issues of why women do not take up journalism as a career after studies. It has really agitated the minds of some professionals and has equally created a lot of controversies.

The researcher, therefore, has deemed it fit to find out the reasons for such negative attitude of females towards Journalism.

Journalism as the researcher could understand is very controversial and there no need to live on mere assumption. This study has therefore provided an avenue for an in-depth study on the controversial issue of knowing the reason behind women going into Journalism as a career, how do these women see the practice of journalism? Do they go into the study with the intention of practicing Journalism or taking it up just as a career?

The researcher also observed that female Journalists do not only disengage in the practice of Journalism but also do not contribute in the development and achievement of Journalism schools.

According to Okunna(1990) “In most schools in Nigeria, women are not often seen as lecturers both at universities and polytechnics”

They do not involve in the teaching of mass communication courses. Women prefer working in other fields to the career of Journalism.

The study will serve as a resource material for programme design and implementation in the effort concerning women in development and to students of women studies, mass communication, and Journalism. It will, be a useful reading and reference materials.

1.7. Definition of Terms

Operational Definition of Terms

STUDY: it is an act of considering or examining something in detail. It can also be said to be a piece of research that examines a subject or question in detail.

PERCEPTION: This is a way of: feeling or your opinion about something or somebody. The perspective you view an issue.

FEMALE: It is a situation of being a women or girl.

MASS: A large number of people in a community, Society, and nation.

COMMUNICATION: Methods of sending information to a large number of people, especially trough Television, Radio Computers, Newspapers, Magazines etc.

STUDENTS: These are group of people who are Studying at a university or college.

TOWARDS:- This is in relation to something or somebody, or in the direction of something.

JOURNALISM:-It is a new effort in reporting in which professional communicators use Social research method to gather, interpret and vividly present information to the target audience. Journalism is therefore, the science of reporting.

CAREER: It is the job or series of jobs that you do, especially if it earns you income.

 

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