INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEMS OF NUJ IN NIGERIA

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INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEMS OF NUJ IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Journalism is increasingly becoming a difficult concept to define and delineate because of some contemporary developments having direct effects on its practice. The twenty – first century invention of the new media, especially the internet, has revolutionized and redefined the scope and practice of journalism all over the world. The emergence of the concept of ‘Citizen Journalism’ has compounded the problems of; first who is a journalist, second, what is journalism, third, what are the ethical requirements for the practice of journalism, fourth, what are the roles expectation of journalists and journalism profession in the society, as well as many other questions begging for attention and answers.

However, regardless of the seemingly nebulous outlook of journalism in the contemporary time, journalism is concerned with the gathering, processing and dissemination of information regarded as important and critical to the operations of the different components of the society.

According to Microsoft Encarta (2009), journalism refers to the process of “gathering, evaluating and distributing facts of current interest”. The professional norms of good journalism include, in particular, the following; truthfulness, objectivity, neutrality and detachment (kempf, 2007). The crisis of confidence that rocked journalism in the 19th Century gave birth to the development in the twentieth century, the concept of social responsibility theory which ascribed to the press some responsibilities in addition to the professional requirements and responsibilities of the profession.

The work is anchored on two communication theories: the Social Responsibility Theory and the Development Media Theory.

i. Social Responsibility Theory

As a result of the shortcomings of the libertarian theory of the press, the Hutchins Commission on Freedom of the Press set up in the United States of America in 1947 recommended that, apart from ensuring and preserving press freedom, the press is also expected to observe certain social standards and responsibilities in performing their professional functions. Thus, the emergence of social responsibility theory, according to Siebert et al (1956) as cited by Folarin (1998:28) was premised on six functions.

i. To serve the political system by making information, discussion and consideration of public affairs generally

accessible. ii. To inform the public to enable it to take self determined action. iii. To protect the rights of the individual by acting as watchdog over the government. iv. To serve the economic system, for instance the bringing together buyers and sellers through the medium of advertising.

v. To provide good entertainment, whatever “good” may mean in the culture at any point in time.

vi. To preserve financial autonomy in order not to become dependent on special interests and influences.

ii. Development Media Theory

The theory seeks to prescribe the function of the press in developing nations of the world. The theory posits that the media/press must provide such platforms that can accelerate the development of their respective nations. The major thrusts of the theory according to McQuail (1987) as cited by Folarin (1998) are that:

i. Media must accept and carry out positive development tasks in line with nationally established policy. ii. Freedom of the media should be open to economic priorities and development needs of the society. iii. Media should give priority in their content to the national culture and language(s).

iv. Media should give priority in news and information to links with other developing countries which are close geographically, culturally or politically.

v. Journalists and other media workers have responsibilities as well as freedoms in their information gathering and dissemination tasks. vi. In the interest of development ends the state has a right to intervene in, or restrict, media operation, devices of censorship, subsidy and direct control can be justified.

Thus, the above two theories present the media institution as central and germane to the existence of the society. And, for the media institution to perform its social responsibility and developmental functions, it must be peopled by professionals who understand and can uphold the central media tenets such as impartiality, truthfulness, balanced reporting, fairness to all parties, etc. It is only through this that the media institution/journalism can live up to the expectations of a profession.

Statement of the problem

There may have been previous researches in this subject. This work gives further explanations and analysis in investigating the problems of nuj in nigeria

Objectives of the study
To understand the impact of poor funding and poor implementation of government policies have a strong and significant impact on NUJ
To understand the relationship between improvement in NUJ and the development of journalism, and journalists’ welfare in Nigeria.

Research questions
What is the impact of poor funding and poor implementation of government policies have a strong and significant impact on NUJ
What is the relationship between improvement in NUJ and the development of journalism, and journalists’ welfare in Nigeria.