CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background to the Study

        The term corruption is a global phenomenon as there is hardly a society without any form of corrupt practices. In Nigeria, it has become a cankerworm that has eaten deep in to the socio- economic and political development of Nigeria.  The cases of corruption are predominantly featured in the Nigerian media on daily basis as the trend continued to improvise millions of people while very few prilidged individuals continue to enrich themselves.

        Nigeria the most populated country in Africa, has been ranked high in corruption by Transparency International and other notable organizations that monitor corrupt practices around the world. They do not have anything good to say about Nigeria at all. High corruption rankings affect almost all Nigerians who migrate to foreign countries, as foreigners have the perception that since Nigeria is corrupt, so are all Nigerians.

For sometime, successive governments in Nigeria have been battling the issue of corruption and its attendant effects on our contemporary society. The broadcast media in the social responsibility role have been instrumental in the coverage corrupt cases in the various sectors of the Nigerian economy

         Broadcast media by definition is an electronic instrumentation of Radio and television station; radio and television networks as well as cable televisions.  The medium wields a pervasive influence in the society because of its ability to reach out to a large number of people and break the barrier of illiteracy apart from the education, information, entertainment and persuasive functions.

         Pringle (1991 p.17) argued that broadcast media particularly radio is advantageous since it reaches the grass root, portable, has the character of immediacy in information dissemination as well as transmit a wide range of programmes.

        To enhance the above view, Sambe (2005 p.75) added that radio is an effective medium of mobilizing people hence it bypass illiteracy and appeals to the individual person. Broadcasting particularly radio has been useful in developing countries especially in the area of healthcare, this is because the people get to know the usefulness of primary health care through awareness campaigns on radio hence information is indispensable for a progressive society.

        Broadcast media messages are often presented to the target audience through individual performance known as programme. Ugande (2006 p.10) defined programme as a message offered to the public to communicate ideas or feelings. A programme is therefore the message which broadcast organizations transmit to justify the reasons for their existence and in fulfillment of their social responsibility to the society. This means, broadcast messages are not an end in themselves but a means to an end since through them the broadcast media communicate views, ideas and feeling to their targeted, large and heterogeneous audience members. 

        The broadcast media when properly used have proved to be the best and most effective medium of communication with a larger population. This means broadcast messages enhances the chances of getting information across to a wide range of audience members as well as send health awareness messages across to a very wide segment of the population.

        Fighting this menace in our society requires collaborative efforts of government, anti- graft agencies , the media as well as the society at large.  The media particularly the broadcast media in their reportage often report corrupt cases in the various sectors of the economy in line with their social responsible role to the society.

1.2   Statement of the Problem

       The broadcast media exist to service the information needs of the society in line with the social responsibility role of the press.  Onabajo (2002) argued that most discussions we hold today originate their topics from broadcast media.  Corruption on the other hand is now a global phenomenon and a cankerworm that has eaten deep in our society. Corruption is prevalent in every sector of the Nigerian economy and the oil sector is not an exception. This requires collorative efforts of various institutions such as the government, anti-graft agencies and the media to be reduced to the barest minimum. Given this view, this study examines public perception of broadcast media contributions in the fight against corruption in the oil sector during the Goodluck Jonathan regime.

1.3   Objectives of the Study

The broad objective of this study is to assess public perception of broadcast media contribution in the fight against corruption in the oil sector during the Goodluck regime specifically however, the study aims:

i.      To find out public perception of broadcast media contribution in the fight against corruption in the oil sector

ii.     To examine how the broadcast media contributes to the fight against corruption in the oil sector

iii.     To find out the extent which the broadcast media has contributed to the fight against corruption in the oil sector

iv.    To find out the challenges of broadcast media in the fight against corruption in the oil sector     

1.4   Research Questions

i.     To find out public perception about corruption in the oil sector.

ii.     How does broadcast media contributes to the fight against corruption in the oil sector ?

iii.    To what extent did broadcast media contributes to the fight against corruption in the oil sector ?

iv.    What are the challenges faced by the broadcast media in the fight against corruption in the oil sector ?

1.5 Statement of research hypothesis

H0: the use of broadcast media has no significant effect on corruption in Nigeria

H1: the use of broadcast media has significant effect on corruption in Nigeria

1.6       Significance of the Study

This study is significant in several ways: First, the study would enable anti- graft agencies such as EFCC/ICPC and others see the contributions of broadcast media in the fight against corruption.

The study would provide the needed tips for stakeholders in the oil sector to see the contributions of broadcast media in the fight against corruption in the sector.

The study would also enable government and non-governmental organizations determine the effect of broadcast media as a tool for anti - corruption campaigns.

To institutions and corporate organizations, the study is expected to enable them resolve to broadcast media as an effective and efficient tool to minimize corruption in their organizations.

To policy makers, the study will enable them enact policies that will place the broadcast media in the forefront of promoting anti- corruption campaigns.

Finally, the study is expected to contribute immensely to scholarship hence it will form the basis for further researches on the subject matter. On this note; it would come handy as a reference material to other researchers willing to explore the subject matter.

1.7   Scope of the Study

This study focuses on the contributions of the broadcast media in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. However, the scope is limited to the contributions of broadcast media in the fight against corruption in the oil sector during the Goodluck Jonathan regime.

1.8 Area of the Study

        The area of study is Karu.  Karu is a local government area in Nasarawa state, central Nigeria. It is close in proximity to the federal capital territory of Nigeria. It has an area of 2,640 KM2 while the local government headquatres is located in Ado. According to the (2006) National Population Census, Karu local government has a population figure of 205,477 with Gbagyi- the inhabitants predominantly farmers. while the immigrants are majorly civil servants.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Broadcast Media: According to Head et al (1998,p.16) the medium is used to send out sound and pictures by means of waves and signals through space for reception by the general public. Broadcast Media (electronic media), it is electronic instrument of radio and television station used to disseminate information to the audience members.

Corruption- This is a form of dishonest or unethical conduct by a person enthrusted with a position of authority often to acquire personal benefit. In other words, corruption involves a dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power typically involving bribe.

Karu- This is a local government area in Nasarawa state, central Nigeria. It is the geographical area of this study.

Media-  The are the various channels through which information is dessiminated to the public. Media is also use to mean a collective communication outlets or tools that are used to store and deliver information or data. In this study, media is use to refer to social media  which are computer  mediated technologies that allow the creating and sharing of information.

Perception- Conscious understanding of something. It is also a belief or opinion hold by members of the public.

Public - The people in general, members of the society.

References

Aspinall, R. (1977) Radio Programme Production: A Manual for Training. Paris: UNESCO.

Fedler, F. et al (1997) Reporting for the Media. Philadelphia: Barcourt Bruce College Publishers.

Igbawua, N. J. (2006) Community Health Essentials. Makurdi: Opasshi                Lithographic Press.

Onabajo, O. (2002). Elements of Rural Broadcasting. Lagos: Gabi Concept         Limited.

Owuamalam, E.O. (2011) Radio-Television production. Owerri: Top Class Publishers

Pringle, P. K. (1991)  Electronic Media  Management. Boston. Focal Press.