CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Cases of rape have continued to increase in Nigeria. Almost every day, there will be a fresh rape case. This sad situation is surprising because for a country that is known for its religiosity, one would expect that sexual escapades will be on a low level. However, the surprising part of it is that even members of the clergy are guilty of this act of sexual indiscipline. The term “rape” is therefore the most serious kind of sexual assault and is punishable with imprisonment for life, (Okonkwo & Naish, 2013). It is also one of those actions that fall under violence against women (Nwammuo, 2013). Rape in its entirety, is a violation of human rights.

        Rape is a criminal offence. Section 357 of Criminal Code Act, Law of Federation of Nigeria 1990 CAP77 (cited in WACOL) any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or a girl, without her consent, or if her consent is obtained by force or by means of threats or intimidation of any kind, or by fear of harm, or by means of false and fraudulent representation as to the nature of the act, or in the case of married woman, by personating her husband, is guilty of an offence which is called rape [WACOL,2002,p.1]. It can be noted here that any person (male or female) who through tricks, threat or force engages in a sexual intercourse with a girl or a woman, raped the victim. Therefore, rape has to do with coitus obtained not exclusively through force as is commonly believed but through either force or other means. It is noteworthy that Nigerian criminal code does not either consider or envisage sodomy or the possibility of a girl or a woman securing sexual intercourse with a boy or a man either through force, trick or intimidation.

This position of the criminal code is affirmed by Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL) as it posits, “a woman cannot be convicted of raping her husband or any man because the offence can only be committed upon a girl or a woman” (WACOL, 2002, p. 4). It is not only the law, but also the society does not sympathize with male victims of rape. When men or boys are victims of sexual violence, some of these problems can be compounded. While at least some legal and social networks, often exist for women and girls, who have been sexually attacked, there is rarely anything comparable for male victims (UNHCR, 2005,p. 5). Rape has become a moral burden in Nigeria. Oduah (2014, p. 26) states that “the rate at which rapes occur in our society today is becoming alarming and outrageous.” Musbau (2013, p. 53) reports that “687 cases of rape were recorded” in 2012, which is an average of two cases per day, 100 cases of rape in Kano took place in 2013 out of which 40 offenders were convicted”.

On the other hand some journalists especially the female gender face some challenges during reporting. Some of these could be rape of the female journalist and other assaults.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Over the years, there has been an upsurge in the number of rape related cases in the Nigerian society (Agaba 2013, p.3) and situation appears to be increasing in astronomical proportion as days roll by (Okunzua 2014, p.6). This has created palpable worries in the minds of many. Some of these sexual assaults and rapes are according to Ifeacho (2012, p.4) either reported or intentionally “buried” by the victims or their parents or relations for fear of stigmatization while some few others are reported by the media. There is this growing fear that rape victims are sometimes re-victimized by the media as being responsible for the sexual assaults and carnal knowledge inflicted on them by their assailants. Although there exists substantial research on physical revictimisation of rape victims (Campbell & Raja, 1999; Classen, Palesh, and Aggarwal, 2005; Steyn, 2005), less is known about media revictimisation through choice of words and framing. The quest to fill these gaps informed this study using the rape cases as reported by female journalist in Plateau state as a case study.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of the research work is to investigate female journalist coverage of rape cases in Plateau state. The specific objectives of the study are:

1. to determine the number of rape cases in Plateau state
2. to determine the challenges faced by female journalist in coverage of rape cases in Plateau state
3. to examine whether female journalist coverage of rape cases is effective
4. to proffer solution to the above problems

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with research questions so as to ascertain the above stated objectives of the study. The research questions for the study are:

1. What is the number of rape cases in Plateau state?
2. What are the challenges faced by female journalist in coverage of rape cases in Plateau state?
3. Is female journalist coverage of rape cases effective?
4. What is the solution to the issue of rape in Plateau state

1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS

H0: female journalist coverage of rape cases is not effective

H1: female journalist coverage of rape cases is effective

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study on investigating female journalist coverage of rape cases in Plateau state will be of immense benefit to Nigeria as a whole. The media houses, journalist and the girl child. The study will identify the reason behind the rape cases in Plateau state and how to control it. The findings of the study will ascertain the factors affecting the efficiency of female journalist in the coverage of rape cases in Plateau state. The study will serve as a repository of information to other researchers that desire to carry out similar research on the above topic. Finally the study will contribute to the body of the existing literature on investigating female journalist coverage of rape cases in Plateau state

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study on investigating female journalist coverage of rape cases in Plateau state will focus on rape cases in Jos, plateau. The study focus on Jos so as to be more efficient in the coverage of rape cases in Plateau state

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Journalist: This is the person that practice journalism that is a journalist is a person that is involve in gathering and dissemination of information through an appropriate medium.
Journalist is also referred to as a person that is involve in gathering, editing and transmitting of information of current event to the public. This person usually works for the media.
This definition leave out many personnel involve in the mass communication and media organization

Rape: unlawful sexual activity and usually sexual intercourse carried out forcibly or under threat of injury against a person's will or with a person who is beneath a certain age or incapable of valid consent because of mental illness, mental deficiency, intoxication, unconsciousness, or deception