CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, has overtime witnessed four general elections which took place in 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011, is yet to show that they are politically stable. All of these elections were marked with serious argument, dispute and disagreement, just as their processes and end products experienced honestyand legitimacy crises. As it’s plainly evident, all of these records for inability to formulate and implement productive policy that are highly needed for the enhancement of the standard of living of the people and the development of the country at large. The weight of the effect is that the ordinary citizens seem to have slowly lost hope in the system that took position of the military regime, while the rulers and perceived representatives of the people who live in abundance that does not agree to the present political, economic realities in the country seem less disturbed. Presumably, itmay actually take some time to feel the completeeffect of the slight development recorded in the conduct of the 2011 general elections.
Nigeria Television Authority/media plays a vital role in the growth process of in Nigeria is not just a saying. The mass media is traditionally viewed as mediums of interaction and routes through which messages are conveyed. They frequently cover all sorts of political and economic challenges, etc. The mass media remitsnew concepts, people’s ideas and new information to respective audience in the society. It has been discovered that the mass media educate, inform and entertain. They also transcend beyond these functions as they also coax and speed up for political stability. Therefore, the mass media can also beperceived as powerful service of information because they have the ability to go through and pierce every facet of the society. They are capable of disseminatinginformation on issues,ideas and products. The e-media includes the radio and television. Electronic media are known to be the machinery utilized for occurring spread of information to a wide and divergent audience. Despite the fact that the electronic media are means through which information is remitted to people through the diverse types of media like the Nigerian Television Authority, yet they represent a man to relate to or interact with other men. Communication has been improved in Nigeria and around the world with the use of technology.In his contribution to the impact of Nigerian Television Authority in a developing context, noted that electronic media are influential and productive. Tools for attaining national objectives such as widespread education for both children and adults in other to acknowledge the noted aim in economic growth, healthcare, political and social awareness, political stability, self-reliance and national identity and a host of others. Primarily, the media are viewed as performing three functions, the roles of information, education and entertainment. The mass media are thus viewed for their role in equipping the general public with needed information to attaingrowth.
The assumption of political stability is that what keeps the government going and makes sure stability is willingly backed is within the consent of the citizens. Political stability entails that government is an end product of the desire of the people and derives its legality from the people’s permission. Hence, this ensures that the people voluntarily support the government because the government is not dictatorial on them.
1.2. STATEMENT OF THE GENERAL PROBLEM
The Nigerian political instability and other related problems is basically a consequence of its leadership problem that has been put in place. At domestic level, Nigerian governments are run in ways that have been regarded as far from the modern western state systems,(Osei Tutu, 2004) upon which they are modelled. However, it should be noted that political leadership per see is not a new concept to African traditions or cultural practices. The forms and context could be different, but systems of governance in many cultures had characteristics that can be found in modern systems of governance. But in the context of adoption of the modern western state system, many African communities especially Nigeria abandoned their ways during the colonial period, and where they embraced the western models, with the ushering in of independence, the implementation was distorted and entailed a lot of arm twisting at the height of the transition from colonialism to independence. The post-colonial Governments “sought national unity through the centralization of political power which has only not yielded the desired results in terms of achieving political stability with constant issues of political conflicts and crises overtime.
1.3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
the major aim of the study is to examine thwe influence of the media in achieving political stability in the fourth republic in Nigeria. Other specific objectives of the study include;
1. To examine the level of political stability/instability in Nigeria.
2. To observe critically the role of the media in achieving political stability.
3. To examine the relationship between the electronic media and political stability/instability in Nigeria.
4. To examine the importance of achieving political stability in Nigeria.
5. To recommend Other ways of improving the political stability in the fourth republic in Nigeria.
1.4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What is the level of political stability/instability in Nigeria?
2. What is the role of the electronic media in achieving political stability in Nigeria?
3. What is the relationship between the electronic media and political stability/instability in Nigeria?
4. What is the importance of achieving political stability in Nigeria?
5. What are the ways of improving the political stability in the fourth republic in Nigeria?
1.5. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
H0: Nigeria television authority has no role to play in achieving political stability in Nigeria.
H0: There is no significant relationship between Nigerian television authority and political stability in the fourth republic.
1.6. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study would be of immense importance to government at all levels, the electronic media and relevant stakeholders as it would unveil the role and effect of the Nigerian television authority(NTA) in achieving political stability in the fourth republic. The study would also benefit students, researchers and scholars who are interested in developing further study on the subject matter.
1.7. SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The study is restricted to the role of the Nigeria television authority (NTA) in achieving political stability in Nigeria using Lagos state as the case study.
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.
1.8. DEFINITION OF TERMS
POLITICAL STABILITY: Political stability is the durability and integrity of a current government regime. This is determined based on the amount of violence and terrorism expressed in the nation and by citizens associated with the state.
NTA: Nigeria Television Authority
MEDIA: Media includes every broadcasting and narrowcasting medium such as newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, billboards, direct mail, telephone, fax, and internet.
ELECTRONIC MEDIA: Broadcast or storage media that take advantage of electronic technology. They may include television, radio, Internet, fax, CD-ROMs, DVD, and any other medium that requires electricity or digital encoding of information. The term 'electronic media' is often used in contrast with print media.
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