CHALLENGES FACING THE MEDIA IN

DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION
(A CASE STUDY OF NTA)

AKINJOBI PRECIOUS COMFORT

MASS COMMUNICATION
015COM323

Ecole De Techniciens Superieurs Du Benin

(ECO.TE.S-IUG BENIN)
 ABSTRACT

The subject matter of this work is “challenges facing the media in Dissemination of
information” in carrying out the research work, the researcher adopted the survey
design using the questionnaire measuring instrument; this was to measure the
public’s opinion, to ascertain about the media in information dissemination. The
researcher further the study by adopting representative sample of the wider
population by using non-probability sampling method or judgment method to find
out from the public the challenges facing the media in dissemination of
information. The researcher used chi-square to analyze the data that was collected
from the respondents; it is observed that, there are challenges faced by the media in
dissemination of information.  Some of the challenges facing the media are posed
by the government. The government should allow the media to exercise the law of
“freedom of information” this will go a long way in aiding the media to gather
information and disseminate to the heterogeneous audience. 
 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Communication as known everywhere has developed over a number of centuries. The
sophisticated and complexity which characterized human communication in the modern
world are the result of a very long and sustained effort by human beings to improve on
one of the most fundamental aspects of their existence.

Thus, referring to this evolution, the McBride commission has noted that, “As the world
has advanced the task of communication has become even more complex, in explaining
this complexity, McBride and his colleagues (McBride et al, 1981, P.3), have this to say “
throughout history, human beings sought to improve their ability to receive and
assimilate information about their surroundings at the same time to increase the speed,
clarity and variety of their methods for transmission of information”- quoted in (Okunna,
1994 Page 1-2).  Therefore, following the above assertion it can be submitted that, the
origin of the media and its responsibility to disseminate information, most importantly in
Nigeria context dates back to the era of the early press in the year 1800-1929. It was the
very first time Newspaper emerged in the country in the name of “Iwe Irohin”.

However, the development of Nigerian press is purely classified into three as follows,
from 1800-1920 (Early press), 1927-1960 (National press), 1960-date (Modern or
Contemporary press). These were viewed as the chronological order of the evolution of
print media.

Thus, in 1940, the Presbyterian Mission established the first printing school in Calabar
the reason for this, is to increase the literacy level of the people as of then. And, in 1845,
an Anglican Missionary Rev. Henry Townsend, established another printing press as well
as printing school at the mission compound in Abeokuta. Five years later (1859), Rev.
Townsend moved forward to establish the first newspaper called “Iwe Irohin fun awon
era Egba at Yoruba”, Meaning newspaper for the Egba people and Yoruba. Reverend
Townsend’s major aim of establishing the newspaper was to increase the reading culture
of the Egba and Yoruba people so as to instill literacy desire in them. He also, wanted to
embark on Christian stewardship through impacting education and literacy. Iwe Irohin
also served as a potent political tool against the British government, thereby informing
the mass on the need to know why the British must go.

As the paper was making waves and facing all sorts of criticism, another paper was also
established by the Anglo West India, Robert Campbell, he follows Iwe Irohin up with
Anglo African with the year 1863. It was printed in Lagos states Campbell’s objective of
setting up the newspaper was to exploit the growing interest in Western Education and
Enlightenment in Lagos state in 1860 by providing cheap and accessible materials which
would educate, inform and entertain its reader. It was the first paper in the country to
present another side of the story as it constituted on open competitor with Iwe Irohin.

After that, Richard Beale Blaiz established the Lagos Time and Gold Coast Colony
Advertiser in the year 1803-1883. The name of the paper reflected the joint
administration of Gold Coast and Lagos at the time. Thus, newspaper establishment
journed through the time, Zik established the West African Pilot, up till this day. It is
important to note at this juncture that, from the period of the early press and now, there
have been an immense function played by the media in order to restore the dilapidating
and retrogressing state of Nigerian society.

Interestingly, as the year went by, there was a tremendous dawn in the broadcast media.
The radio and television emerged, thereby making waves in the dissemination of
information. Radio as a means of communication relies on the use of electro-magnetic
waves propagated through space at the speed of light, radio messages were first received
in Nigeria through the empire service of the British Broadcasting Commission (BBC) in
1932, At this time, Prospective owners of radio had their transmission through their sets
which was wired to the post office. In 1936, radio transmission was established with the
commencement of transmission through the RDS (i.e. Radio Distribution service) in
Lagos. One feature of the program transmitted at this time was low content of Nigeria or
coral productions.
By 1948, there were ten “Wire” Wireless stations serving about 80,000 subscribers in the
country. This followed until television came to Nigeria for the first time in 1956. When
Queen Elizabeth II came to Nigeria same years, the BBC came with a large contingent.
The BBC placed TV screens outside the assembly to enable those outside the gallery of
the house to watch what was happening. Nigeria takes credit as the pacesetter in Africa in
regards to television broadcasting. That notwithstanding, television broadcasting started
in Nigeria as a result of intense political and ethnic rivalry. Account has it that, the first
television in Nigeria was the Western Nigeria television (WNTV); Ibadan, it is thus
readily clear that, the colonial maters did not make much use of television during their
period of rule as television came toward the end of colonialism in Nigeria. This was in
operation when Chief Obafemi Awolowo established the WNTV. He was said to have
has permission for access to the government owned national broadcasting commission
(NBC) so that he would reply to the allegation of act of perfidy leveled against him by
the actual grievance that eventually gave rise to regional Broadcasting dates back 1953.

From the year 1953-1960, the Eastern Nigeria television (ENTV) was established, then in
April 1962 the federal government started the Nigeria television service, channel 10
Lagos, which was headed by T.O.S. Benson. After the civil war in the country there was
significance increase in television broadcasting. Almost all the twelve states of the
federation (as at 1972) had their own TV station. Then in 1976, the number of stations
had risen to nineteen. In 1977, the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) was established to
function as an independent body. NTA was given charge over television broadcasting in
Nigeria; however, the 1979 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria later remover
the exclusive power of the NTA in television broadcasting in Nigeria. The constitution
rather allowed for the establishment and operation of broadcasting and stations by
different state governments, organization or individual subject to the president’s
permission (Okunna 1993, page 55).

At this point, it can be submitted that right from the first day the mass media emerged in
Nigeria starting with the print media; the media have been playing the watch dog role in
the society, performing a number of functions which benefit the individual as a member
of the society. These range from “serious” information and educational functions to
“higher” functions like entertainment, information, dissemination, education, advertising,
socialization, promotion of culture, motivation, mobilization, integration. They also play
the role of agenda setting based on issues that are controversial in nature, here the mass
media set the political agenda for the society by deciding what political topics people talk
about etc. NTA as one of the media organization has of the mass media to the audience,
e.g. election, child abuse, Kidnapping, issue of flooding, crime, war, fire disaster,
conflict, fuel subsidy etc; also print media e.g. Newspaper, magazine, Journals, books are
not left out.

But suffice it to say that, there are some challenges on the part of the media in using all
these channels listed above to send information, thus making the actualization of the
noble dream stressful, even NTA a government owned channel has its own shortcomings
in the area of playing its roles effectively. Albert, it has been enslaved to the whims and
caprices of the political leaders and the government.

Another challenge that weakens the power of Nigeria television Authority (NTA) and
other media organization is poor infrastructural facilities. As sobowale (1989: page 304)
quoted in Okunna (1994. P. 36) has observed with reference to Nigeria, such basic
infrastructural facilities as roads and transport system are in an abysmal state of
development; and this limits the work are the media practitioners in gathering
information. One can also consider the state of technological expansion and advance in
communication technology, with this media have found it difficult to work effectively.

In conclusion, it is submitted with respect that Nigeria television Authority (NTA) has
been disseminating information to the masses. But, at the same time has in one way or the
other demonstrated the challenges facing its discharge of duties. Despite all odds, this
research study will definitely bring changes.

 
1.2     STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS:
Despite all efforts made by the media to tackle the challenges facing them, especially
during military government era, there are still Kinds of other problems which constitute
threat to the power of disseminating information to the masses. Indeed, it seems as if to
say that much has been not achieved in the area of their performance.
For this reason, this research seeks to expose the extent the Nigeria media, NTA in
particular is tackling the challenges and the extent they have gone in keeping the masses
informed on the day to day events.

 
1.3     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The research work tends to know

1 If political interest or sentiment imposes serious threat to effective disseminating

information on media?   

2 If economic factor takes precedence in the coverage of program by media?

3 If technology factor restricts media from disseminating information to its target

audience.

4 If the level of literacy of the audience help media in gathering and reporting issues of
the day.

1.4     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

One of the basic functions of the media is to provide the society with information based
on accuracy, facts, truth, and objectivity and to uplift our cultural heritage. The task of
the researcher is to find out the challenges facing the media most especially in the
developing countries like Nigeria.

This study will serve as a basic for carrying out further research and evaluation of how
the challenges in the media can be faced bearing in mind that, what is obtainable in NTA
station will also be applicable in other media stations in the country. Therefore, there is
hope that the finding posted in the work will be beneficial to other students and
researchers attempting to research on a similar project.

 
1.5     RESEARCH QUESTIONS
-     What is the nature of challenges facing the media in information dissemination? 

-     Do the media have sufficient freedom needed for their operational efficiency?

-     Do the media work enough in reporting issues in high places of government
administration?

-     What is the possible measures that should be used to enhance operation of the media.

 
1.6     RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
H1   There are serious challenges facing the media information dissemination.

H0   There are no serious challenges facing the media in information dissemination.

H2   The media have sufficient freedom needed for their Operational efficiency.   

H0   The media do not have sufficient freedom needed for their operational efficiency.   

H3   The media work enough in reporting issues in high places of government
administration.

H0   The media do not work enough in reporting issues in high places of government
administration.

H4   There are possible measures to be used to enhance operation of the media.

H0   There are no possible measures to be used to enhance operation of the media.

 
1.7     THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
This research study will be based on one of the theories of the press which is libertarian
theory. The reason why it is suitable for the study is that, the theory is concerned on the
perception for freedom of the press; liberal philosophers like John start mill, Milton
greatly advance the advocacy for press freedom (Okoro, et al 2003, p.21).

In the main, libertarian theory prescribes that; an individual should be free to hold and
express opinion freely and publish same.
The theory does not see need for censorship since it acknowledge the great potentials of
human as rational being who can distinguish between truth and falsehood, it further
believes in the “self-brightening process of the free market place of idea”, where good
ideas will eventually eliminate the bad ones if all were granted free expression.

Therefore, the researcher used the theory to back up the media especially the media in
Nigeria

 
1.8     SCOPE OF THE STUDY:
The scope of the study is covered within Nigeria television Authority (NTA).

 
1.9     LIMITATION OF STUDY:
The researcher chooses to limit the sample population to students and civil servants who
watch television programmes drawn from Enugu Network station, because majority of
the government owned media like NTA are situated in the state. The students of the
institute of management and technology (IMT), Enugu and the students of Enugu state
university of science and technology (ESUT), also some students from other higher
institutions were included; secondary school students were taken into account, because
they are greatly influenced by what they watch.

Also, the sample of civil servants was drawn from both the federal and state civil
services.

 
1.10        DEFINITION OF TERMS:
Operational Definition of Terms.

-     Challenges: It means the hindrances or constrains which make the media not to
execute their duties effectively and efficiently.

-     Media; In this research study, the media simple means those medium or channel via
messages or information are passed across from the source to the heterogeneous audience
e.g. Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Enugu state Broadcasting services (ESBS),
Federal Radio commission of Nigeria (FRCN) etc. for print media we have newspaper,
magazines like the Guardian, Daily Sun, Tell, Punch etc.

-     Dissemination; In this research, it means a way by which the media carry out their
social responsibility in order to tell their audience what is happening within and outside
their society.

-     Information; Programmes of the media which are used to educate, entertain,

mobilize, sensitize, inform and socialize the masses concerning everyday activities within
and outside the society.
References
https://afribary.com/

https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/

https://journals.sau.edu.ng/