ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at assessing the influence of government ownership on new gathering of NTA channel 12, Uyo. The objectives of this study were: To find out if government ownership of NTA, Uyo influences the gathering of news by the station, To find out the extent to which the ownership influences the gathering of news by the station, to find out how ownership influences the gathering of news by the station and to  find out the means through which new gathering by the station can be more effective. The study made used of survey research design. The sample was this study was 25 and simple random sampling was used to administer the questionnaire to the respondents. The findings of this study reveals that; The government ownership influence the gathering of news by NTA, the ownership of NTA station influence their news gathering at a moderate extent, ownership of the station influence news gathering process in through constant censorship, queries and official directive, by constant bureaucratic bottlenecks that do not allow for effective news gathering  and gathering of news by the station can be more effective by Liberalization of the station’s ownership, proper implementation of the freedom of information Act by the station, encouragement of professionalism among the news reporting crew. Therefore the researcher recommends that freedom of information Act should be fully implemented in the station in order to enable to journalist to carry out objective news broadcast.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page              –         –         –         –         –         –         –         i

Certification          –         –         –         –         –         –         –         ii

Dedication             –         –         –         –         –         –         –         iii

Acknowledgement           –         –         –         –         –         –         iv

Table of contents   –         –         –         –         –         –         –         v-vii

List of tables          –         –         –         –         –         –         –         viii

Abstract       –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         ix

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the study –         –         –         –         –         1-3

1.2     Statement of the problem           –         –         –         –         3-6

1.3     Objectives of the study    –         –         –         –         –         6

1.4     Research questions          –         –         –         –         –         6-7

1.5     Scope of the study –         –         –         –         –         –         7

1.6     Significance of the study –         –         –         –         –         7

1.7     Limitation of the study    –         –         –         –         –         8

1.8     Definition of terms          –         –         –         –         –         8-9

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1     Concept of Mass    –         –         –         –         –         –         10-11

2.2     History of Broadcasting in Nigeria      –         –         –         11-17

2.3     Overview of  Government         –         –         –         –         18-33

2.4     Factors Militating Against the Efficient and Effective

Performance of the Government Owned Media       –         33-38

2.5     Controversies on the best form of media ownership          38-42

2.6     Media Ownership and its Consequences on

Media Practices      –         –         –         –         –         –         42-48

2.7     Effect of Government Ownership on the Media in Nigeria48-50

2.8     Ownership influence on News Gathering      –         –         50-52

2.10   Theoretical Framework   –         –         –         –         –         52-54

2.9     Review of Study    –         –         –         –         –         –         55-57

CHAPTER THREE      

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1     Research Design    –         –         –         –         –         –         –         58

3.2     Population of the study    –         –         –         –         –         –         58

3.3     Sample and sampling procedure          –         –         –         –         58

3.4     Instrumentation      –         –         –         –         –         –         –         59

3.5     Validity and Reliability of instrument –         –         –         –         60

3.6     Method of data Analysis  –         –         –         –         –         –         60

CHAPTER FOUR        

DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

4.1     Data presentation and Analysis –         –         –         –                   61-68

4.2     Discussion of findings     –         –         –         –         –         –         69-71

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1     Summary     –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         72

5.2     Conclusion –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         73

5.3     Recommendation   –         –         –         –         –         –         –         73-74

References

Appendix

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Distribution of Respondent by Gender       –         –

Table 2: Age Distribution of Respondents     –         –         –

Table 3: Educational Qualification of respondent    –         –

Table 4: Working Experience of Respondents         –         –

Table 5: Response on influence of government

ownership in news gathering     –         –         –         –

Table 7: Responses on how the ownership of the     –         –

station influence the news gathering process

Table 8: Responses on the means through which

news gathering by the station can be effective        –         –         –

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the Study

Mass media refers to a diverse array of media technologies that reach a large audience via mass communication. The technologies through which this communication takes place include a variety of outlets.  Broadcast media transmit information electronically via media such as films, radio, recorded music, or television. Digital media comprises both Internet and mobile mass communication. Internet media comprise such services as email, social media sites, websites, and Internet-based radio and television. Many other mass media outlets have an additional presence on the web, by such means as linking to or running TV ads online, or distributing QR Codes in outdoor or print media to direct mobile users to a website. In this way, they can use the easy accessibility and outreach capabilities the Internet affords, as thereby easily broadcast information throughout many different regions of the world simultaneously and cost-efficiently. Outdoor media transmit information via such media as AR advertising; billboards; blimps; flying billboards (signs in tow of airplanes); placards or kiosks placed inside and outside buses, commercial buildings, shops, sports stadiums, subway cars, or trains; signs; or skywriting. Print media transmit information via physical objects, such as books, comics, magazines, newspapers, or pamphlets. Event organizing and public speaking can also be considered forms of mass media.

The organizations that control these technologies, such as movie studios, publishing companies, and radio and television stations, are also known as the mass media

Mass media function in the media house, but also ecryptes policies of the media and help in implementing them. The government previews the news content  and news programs to see if they agree with their policies. Also, any news content the government will erase out of the news content.

Also, the government further control the media by their decision to invest or not to invest. The government’s interest will be reflected in the appointment of competent staff.

Influence on the other hand is both external and internal since there is uncleuse of the interdependence or co-existence in the media organization. Shoemaker and Rees (1991) said that there are many established groups we often influence the message of broadcast and print media. This group ranges from influence and house policy.

There is a common saying with regards to mass media control in Nigeria and elsewhere which had become a cliché that “He who pays the piper dictates the tune” this means that organize channel and control what the media covers (reports) and  how they broadcast and how the broadcast and how the broadcast it. It is obviously true that mass media owner exert a threatening control over the press, whether a mass media is managed  by a board of directors appointed by private owners or by a public corporation established by the government the media have policies set two by the board. The policies define the short term and long term operationer

1.2     Statement of the Problem

In Nigeria, most news covering are determined by the owners and gatekeepers of the organization.  The media systems that exist in a society are directly resulted to the political system determines the exact relationship between the media and the government. The political systems in place also determines the relationship between the media and the people. It also determine to what capacity the media will operate.

The political system in a country also affects the flow of information in  the country in which it operates. The control of broadcast management or media house influence the content of news that will be broadcast to the audience. Also the type of government poliy/policies that the management will implement.

The nature of ownerships of any press system determined to a great extent whether that press is dynamic, vigorious, responsive and responsive press, or and emasculated, timid, spineless, ineffectural or irresponsible press.

However, were have three main categories of media ownership namely, government ownership, private ownership and mix ownership. But the researcher will be constrained to government ownership and private ownership  of media.

Government ownership implies that the medium (NTA) completely financed by the government. The government not only finances owners.

The philosophy of any media operation in Nigeria depends on the government in place. The problem in this study is examine the impact of leadership decision on radio news coverage.

Secondly, how these decisions can serve public interest. Thirdly, how to convince the government to interfere less in running the affairs of the station to their own interest instead of the public interest.

Thirdly, how to convince the government to interfere less in in running the affair of the station of their interest.

The right news covering decision and programming can lead to success for the radio station. whatever the practice in NTA, the influence of the leadership and gatekeeper in programs are still present and if not handled well, it may greatly impair the success of any program, so this is what the research is aimed at finding out. It is  hoped that answers arrived would help the researcher make some observation and policy proposals that would help re-address the present problems of news coverage in NTA if ever.

1.3     Objectives of the Study

Specific objective are follows:

1. To find out if government ownership of NTA, Uyo influences the gathering of news by the station.
2. To find out the extent to which the ownership influence the gathering of new by the station.
3. To find out the how ownership influences the gathering of news by the station
4. To find out the means though which news gathering by the station can be more effective

1.4     Research Questions

1. Does journalist ownership influence the gathering of news by NTA, Uyo?
2. To what extent does the ownership influences the gathering of news by the station?
3. How does the ownership of the station influence the news gathering process
4. hrough what means can the gathering of news by the station be ore effective?

1.5     Scope of the study

This scope of the study covers only the news gathering of NTA Uyp. The study also includes all the staff of the media organization.

1.6     Significance of the Study

This study on the effects of government ownership on media objectivity is significant in a number of ways: firstly, this study will add to literatures on the effects on government ownership on media operation it will help provide adequate insight to meet the changing demands in the dynamic media environment of our society thereby media managers to evolve better management policies.

Finally, it will equally serve as a veritable reference tool for future researcher in ascertaining how objective NTA Uyo is as a governement owned media.

1.7     Limitation of the Study

The most constraint of this world was the respondent who because of their work made it difficult to get the on seats for administration and retrieval of questionnaires again. Another thing was the time constraint which had posed a lot of limitation to the work because there was not enough time to carry out the research.

However, despite the challenges, the researcher did not allow the limitations to affect the success and validity of the study, and efforts were made to conclude the study well

1.8     Definitions of Terms

Government: it refers to when the governing body a nation own finance, supervision, manage and control the media.

Influence: means NTA Uyo as a position as the government body using its position as the government body to decide on what the medium should or should not broadcast.

Media: is means NTA Uyo as a radio media house  used as a radio media house propaganda for the government.

Objectivity: It refers to NTA Uyo being fair, disintegrated, factual and non-partisan in its news coverage and reporting.

Ownership: Ownership refer to NTA being owned by government of Nigeria and supervised by the government.