TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page       –           –           –           –           –           –           –          –           –           –           i

Declaration                –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           ii

Certification   –           –           –           –           –           –          –           –          –           –           iii

Dedication                  –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           iv

Acknowledgement     –           –           –           –           –           –          –           –           –           v

Table of content        –           –           –           –           –           –          –          –           –           vii

List of tables  –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           x

Abstract         –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –          –           –           xi

 

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background to the study –           –           –           –          –          –           –           –           1

1.2. Statement of problem   –  –           –           –           –          –          –           –           –           3

1.3. Objectives of the study    –           –           –           –           –          –           –           –           4

1.4. Research questions           –           –           –           –           –            –          –           –           5

1.5. Research Hypothesis        –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           5

1.6. Significance of the study –           –           –           –           –          –           –           –           6

1.7. Scope of the study           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           6

1.8. Operational definition of terms   –           –           –           –            –          –           –           7

1.9. Organization of the Study           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           7

 

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1.   Introduction                   –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           8

2.2.   Conceptual Literature                –           –           –           –           —                      –           8

2.2.1. Mass Media                   –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           8

2.2.2. News Distortion –         –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           10

2.2.3. The History of Media Ownership in Nigeria    –           –           –           –           –           12

2.2.4. Role of Media in Ensuring Democracy            –           –           –           –           –           16

2.2.5. Overview of NTA News24, Channels TV and TVC News     –           –           –           18

2.3.    Reviews of Empirical Studies   –           –           –           –           –           –           –           18

2.4.   Theoretical Review        –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           21

2.4.1. The Gatekeeping Theory           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           21

2.4.2. The Source Credibility Theory              –           –           –           –           –           –           21

2.4.3. The Social Responsibility Theory-        –           –           –           –           –           –           22

2.4.4. Information Theory       –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           22

2.5. Theoretical Framework                –           –           –           –           –           –           –           23

 

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1.   Introduction –     –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           25

3.2.   Research Design –          –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           25

3.3.   Population of the Study –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           26

3.4.   Sampling Size    –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           26

3.5.   Sampling Technique       –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           27

3.6.   Instrument for Data Collection  –           –           –           –           –           –           –           27

3.7.   Method of Data Collection        –           –           –           –           –           –           –           27

3.8.   Validity/Reliability of Instrument         –           –           –           –           –           –           28

3.8.1. Reliability test   –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           28

3.9.    Method of Data Analysis         –           –           –           –           –           –           –           30

 

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1.   Introduction       –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           31

4.2.   Data Presentation/Analysis        –           –           –           –           –           –           –           31

4.3.      Testing of Hypothesis –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           36

4.4.   Discussion of Findings  –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           38

 

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1.   Introduction       –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           43

5.2.   Summary            –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           43

5.3.   Conclusion         –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           44

5.4.   Recommendations         –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           45

5.5.   Limitations to the Study                        –           –           –           –           –           –           –           46

5.6.   Suggestions for Further Studies                        –           –           –           –           –           –           46

 

REFERENCES        –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           47

 

APPENDIX   –          –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           50

 

 

 

 

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 Sex of Respondents   –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           31

Table 2 Age distribution of Respondents       –           –           –           –           –           –           32

Table 3 Marital status of respondents             –           –           –           –           –           –           32

Table 4: Respondents views on whether political and personal ideological difference affect

objective reportage among journalist  –           –           –           –           –           –           33

Table 5: Respondents views on whether ownership of media organization influence objectivity

in news reportage        –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           34

Table 6: Respondents views on whether media organization adhere to journalistic

guidelines        –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           34

Table 7: Respondents views on the extent to which objectivity affect the credibility and prestige

of media organization –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           35

Table 8: Test of Hypothesis    –           –           –           –           –           –           –           –           37

ABSTRACT

This research work empirically analyzed media ownership and the credibility of news reporting in Nigeria. The objectives of this study were to examine whether political and personal ideological difference affect objective reportage among journalist, to examine whether ownership of media organization influence objectivity in news reportage, to investigate if media organization adhere to journalistic guidelines, to investigate the extent to which objectivity affect the credibility and prestige of media organization. The scope of the study is media organizations in Nigeria, The Social Responsibility Theory was used as a framework. The research design used for this study is survey, the population targeted for this study consists of all staffs of NTA News24, staffs of Channels TV and staffs of TVC News.  400 staffs were used as sample size and cluster sampling technique was applied. Instrument used for this study is the questionnaire. Data collected were collected from primary sources. From the analysis of the data, the findings shows that sometimes political and personal ideological difference affect objective reportage among journalist, ownership of media organization sometimes influence objectivity in news reportage, media organization do not always adhere to journalistic guidelines, objectivity affect the credibility and prestige of media organization. Following the findings, it was recommended that political and personal ideological difference should not affect objectivity in news reportage among journalist, ownership of media organization should not influence objectivity in news reportage, media organization should always adhere to journalistic guidelines, objectivity affect the credibility and prestige of media organization, thus media organizations should always be objective in their news reportage. The study concludes that objectivity and credibility in news is the best.

Keywords: news credibility, mass media, ownership of media, NTA News24, Channels TV, TVC News.

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background to the Study

The world is fast becoming a global village and a necessary tool for this process is communication of which mass media is a key player. The Nigerian mass media have come a long way in the struggle for the enthronement of democracy in the country and ensuring accountability as well as provision of credible news. The mass media has been playing this active role since inception. The watchdog function of media is essential in a democratic society. Since the emergence of mass media, communication scholars and political economists have been interested in the nature of media ownership and how this impacts on their functions and operations. The Media speaks for the people, represents the interests of the society, and serves as a check on the government.

Media plays a crucial role in shaping a healthy democracy. The progress of any society is reliant on the significant role played by its media. As an important source of public information Media could be expected to be a vehicle to encourage development.  The media or mass media is a basic source of news and entertainment. They are also means of carrying messages which could build communities into nations. They are sources of information.

The media has an influential potential in sharpening the way and manner of the thinking process and thought patterns of individual, groups and government. The media is capable of correcting certain believes and impressions the people hold in some matters. The media is an effective tool in modifying behaviour. Jibo (2003) noted that the Nigerian media has been a major political actor long before the country was fashioned as a unified political entity and has continued to play a central role in national politics since then. The mass media is the driven force that facilitates the entrenchment of democracy in any political system. However, the role of the media is a double-edged sword, apart from inspiring and influencing the people’s will and decision, there are also several ways in which the media can be used against them.

Thus, there is need to conduct the study on an analysis of media ownership and credibility of news reporting in Nigeria.

 

1.2. Statement of the Research Problem

The manipulation of the media as a weapon for the promotion of narrow political interest is not ncommon (Ojoma, 2009). The widely accepted view that good governance is crucial to sustainable development but linkage of good governance to sustainability of such development through media is yet to be fully appreciated (Langmia, 2010; Okoro, 2010). From evidence available to us

Section 22 of 1999 constitution of Nigeria says, “the press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all-time be free…to upload the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people,” while playing this vital role, many journalist have lost their lives. (Jide, 2018; Punch.ng)

The degree of freedom of the media affects the ability of the media to perform its roles. It is against this backdrop that the researcher considered the study of an analysis of media ownership and the credibility of news reporting in Nigeria.

 

1.3. Objectives of the study

The aim of this study was to analysis media ownership and the credibility of news reporting in Nigeria. The specific objectives are to:

1. examine whether political and personal ideological difference affect objective reportage among journalist.
2. examine whether ownership of media organization influence objectivity in news reportage.
3. investigate if media organization adhere to journalistic guidelines.
4. investigate the extent to which objectivity affect the credibility and prestige of media organization.

 

1.4. Research Questions

This study will be guided by the following research questions:

1. Does political and personal ideological difference affect objective reportage among journalist?
2. Does ownership of media organization influence objectivity in news reportage?
3. Do media organization adhere to journalistic guidelines?
4. To what extent does objectivity affect the credibility and prestige of media organization?

 

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The study is guided by the following hypothesis:

H₀:     There is no significant relationship between ownership of media organization and objectivity in news reportage.

 

1.6. Significance of the Study

The critical nature of credible news is given, this is because this is because it ensures development. The study will contribute to the understanding of mass media particularly how ownership and control affect reportage of news and other events in the Nigerian society. Empirically, this study is carried out to investigate the influence of media ownership in ensuring credibility of news reporting. This study will be of utmost importance to investors, government and the researchers because it will provide policy recommendations to the various Nigeria stakeholders taking adequate measures in the broadcasting industry for rapid capacity investment.  The changing character of the broadcasting industry especially, the television station reforms including the licensing of online radio and television stations has affected the industry in recent times and will push studies on the analysis of media ownership and the credibility of news reporting in Nigeria to new evidence(s). It will contribute to existing literature on the subject matter. This study will be of benefit to;

The Academia: members of the academia will find the study relevant as it will also form basis for further research and a reference tool for academic works.

Government: this study will reveal to the government happenings in the media industry. Formulation and implementation of policies based on this findings would ensure development in the area.

Investors: this study shall also be valuable to the investors especially those who may have research interest as it shall guide their private investment decisions.

 

1.6. Scope of the Study

This study is intended to analyse media ownership and credibility of news reporting in Nigeria with particular reference to NTA News 24, TVC News and Channels TV.

 

1.7. Operational Definition of Terms

The following terms have been defined operationally.

• Media: communication outlets or tools used to store and deliver information as data.
• Credibility: the quality of being believable or worth of trust. The objective and subjective components of the believability of a source or message.
• Mass media: refers to a diverse array of mass technologies that reach a large audience via mass communication.
• News: newly received or noteworthy information, especially about recent events.
• Reporting: an account or statement describing in details an event, situation usually as the result of observation, inquiry. To give a spoken or written account on something that one has observed, heard, done or investigated.

 

1.9. Organization of the Study

This study is divided into five chapters. Chapter one is introduction which consists of the background to the study, statement of problem, research questions, research  hypotheses,  objectives  of  the study, the  significance  of  the  study,   the scope  and  limitations  of  the  study  and  finally the  organization of the study. Chapter two deals with the literature review which consists of the conceptual literature, theoretical literature, empirical literature, theoretical framework. Chapter three gives the research methodology including research design, population of study, sample size, sampling technique, method of data collection, instrument of data analysis, method of data analysis, validity/reliability of instrument.  Chapter four is presentation and analysis of data, discussion of findings. Chapter five gives the summary, conclusion and recommendations.

 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

The chapter deals with literature review on the concept of an analysis of media ownership and the credibility of news reporting in Nigeria

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