Assessment of Print Media Contribution to the Political Development of Nigeria (Published)
The print media played an important role in Nigeria’s independence struggle in the 1950s. It remained a beacon of hope during the dark days of the military dictatorship. However, amid the turbulent waters of Nigerian politics, the fingers of accusation are being pointed at the media (print) for dividing the country along political lines. The press’s constitutional right to hold the country’s rulers accountable to the people would seem to be the most seriously affected. Thus, the argument that the print media is a destabilizing influence in Nigeria’s political evolution is examined in this article. The outcomes of this study are crucial to Nigeria’s democracy’s long-term sustainability. This inquiry uses a content analysis approach. Publications from Nigeria’s leading newspapers were examined to see if the assertion of the press being a source of political instability is valid, and whether the claim should be accepted or rejected. According to the survey, the media published numerous political reports, as evidenced by the experimental hypothesis, indicating that P> 0.05, which means that media coverage has nothing to do with political instability in the country, regardless of the size of the news. According to the study, regulatory agencies should address all concerns related to ethical and professional practices affecting the practice of journalism in the media in order to prevent the dissemination of published material in the media that may cause intolerance.
Keywords: Democracy, Nigeria, Political Instability, Political Stability, Print Media
Digital Broadcasting Network and the Emerging Democratic Culture in Nigeria: The 2021 Anambra Guber Debate Experience (Published)
Series of election debates made available to the masses through the use of digital broadcast media technologies have been conducted in different places among different candidates running for different elective positions in different countries. As part of the political activities preceding the elections, the impact of these election debate aired through digital broadcasting technology on the voting decision of the citizens have not been examined Nigeria. Against this background, this study evaluated exposure to 2021 gubernatorial election debate and its influence on voting decision and choice of candidate among residents of Awka metropolis. The democratic participant theory was used while the survey research method was adopted in surveying 400 respondents sampled from Awka metropolis. Findings demonstrated that election debate influence voting decision and encourage candidate evaluation among the respondents. It was concluded that election debate is an important election activity that benefits both the electorate and the candidates. It was also found that the use of digital broadcast technology was applauded by the respondents for is capacity in strengthening democracy. It was recommended among others, that election debate should be made compulsory for all candidates running for all elective positions in Nigeria.
Citation: Obiakor, C.U., Adikuru C.C. and Agbakaj, B.C. (2022) Digital Broadcasting Network and the Emerging Democratic Culture in Nigeria: The 2021 Anambra Guber Debate Experience, International Journal of International Relations, Media and Mass Communication Studies, Vol.8, No.3, pp.1-21
Keywords: Democracy, Digital Broadcasting, Election, Technology, debate