CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
The challenges of investigating the role played by the mass media in political communications and their effects on election campaigns in particular, is narrated to Nigeria. The press has always been actively participating in politics, formation and configuration of public opinion, perception of images of candidates for political offices, the definition of social reality and social norms, the education, information, enlightenment and entertainment of the public, as well as the presentation and clarification of issues, values, goals and changes in culture all over the world. Numerous research works have proven that the media are powerful tool for the public and have most important strong effect on political process in Nigeria. For democratic institutions to function effectively and produce results, it is meant to rest on the media in the society.
Political Importance of the Mass Media are as follows; surveillance of the world to report on-going events, explanation of the meaning of events, and socialization of individuals into their cultural settings. The media also have another quality which is to manipulation of the political process. These functions of the media affect the lives of individuals, groups, and social organizations, and also the course of domestic and international politics.
The media mediate; they do not stand or work independently of a particular social system but rather, they provide channels of communication between elements within it. To a high degree, this means that they are important tools to possessive institutions and a thing of great interest within the society. In addition to the previous functions, the mass media stands as the medium through which people and interests in the society express their views and points.
There is an intimate relationship between the political process and the communication process. To throw more light on this, all of the actions performed in the political system, political socialization and recruitment, interest articulation, interest aggregation, political communication, rule-making, rule-application and rule-adjudication are presented by means of communication.
The media are often organized and sent out by diverse power interests in the society to achieve power leverage. Furthermore, as every society is made up of diverse divisions and social, political, and economic interests, whereby they center on pursuing their own goals, the influence of the media should be tested and proven within the nuanced context in which they operate.
The media are universally referred to as agents of power and political control, such that those who hold sway of political power and authority are always conscious of the fact that information management and control is central to the capturing, retention and exercise of political power (Chidiebere; 2010). The chief effect of this is that the ownership, control and accessibility to the media are seen to be indispensable to the influence and sustenance of political power. On this premise, it is acknowledged that the role of mass media as strong instrument of power and political control is partially responsible for the decision of the governments of developing countries like Nigeria inclusive to either own their own media
1.2. Statement of the general problem
The problems associated with electioneering campaigns and processes in Nigeria have been a cause of major concern. A major problem of elections in Nigeria is the process of communicating political ideas to the masses. Overtime, the failure of those seeking elective positions in Nigeria to adequately and effectively communicate their ideas, credentials and blue print for development to their electorates has led to the voting of wrong people into power and this has led to a lot of accidental public servants who just go into power for personal gains and other selfish reasons. This has regrettably led to the lack of credible and competent people to lead the nation which precipitates to lack of development, corruption and lack of economic and social vision of the country.
1.3. Aims and objectives of the study
The major aim of the study is to assess the media and political communication in Nigeria. Other specific objectives of the study are;
1.4. Research Questions
1.5. Research Hypotheses
H0: There is no significant relationship between the media and political communication in Nigeria.
H1: There is a significant relationship between the media and political communication in Nigeria.
H0: The media does not influence political elections in Nigeria.
H1: The media significantly influences political elections in Nigeria.
1.6. Significance of the study
This study would be of immense importance to the political class and the electorates in addressing the need for political communication and its importance to achieving free, fair and credible elections and equally enhance development in Nigeria by ensuring that credible people are voted into power. The study would also be of immense importance to scholars, students and researchers who are interested in further studies on the subject matter.
1.7. Scope of the study
The study is restricted to the media and political communication in Nigerian elections a case study of Nigerian elections.
1.8. Limitation of the study
Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview)
Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.
1.9. Definition of terms
MEDIA: Communication channels through which news, entertainment, education, data, or promotional messages are disseminated.
Media includes every broadcasting and narrowcasting medium such as newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, billboards, direct mail, telephone, fax, and internet. Media is the plural of medium and can take a plural or singular verb, depending on the sense intended
ELECTION: The act of a party casting vote to elect an individual for some type of position. Elections may involve a public or private vote depending on the position. Most positions in the local, state, and federal governments are voting on in some type of election.
ELECTORATES: The word electorate is especially important for those people who are not a part of it. For instance, women in the United States were not part of the electorate until they were allowed to vote in 1920. Being a part of the electorate is important because it gives you a chance to elect — or choose — who you want to represent you in your government.
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