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
The Monkey Pox Virus and the Inherent Danger in Rumour Mongering: Focus On Nigeria Print Media Reportage of the Crisis (Published)
The prerogative of this exercise is the reportage of the monkey box virus by Nigerian print media. In spite of the horrendous deaths and turbulence imposed on Nigerians by the dreaded Ebola plague in the later part of 2014, Nigerians now face another grim pestilence; the monkey pox virus. This study is adopting the qualitative approach and secondary sources of newspaper publications as relevant literature. This inquiry derives its theoretical foundation from the agenda setting perspective. In spite of alarming rumours of forced vaccinations on school children, the study through relevant newspaper publications reveals the Nigerian print media, transcending through ethnic, religious and cultural barriers, conducted a high degree of coverage to create public awareness of the virus. The paper recommends synergy between the government and the media to create public awareness against the dread of monkey pox. This is appropriate antidote to galvanise standardized template in creating public awareness of communicable diseases. As sensitization by the Nigerian media was crucial in the demise of the 2014 Ebola crisis, the media, particularly newspapers have excelled in creating overwhelming public awareness and sanitation procedure to contain the monkey pox virus incursion into the Nigeria.
Keywords: Crisis, Monkey Pox Disease, Print Media, Public health communication, Reportage, rumour mongers