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Illusion And Reality Of Press Freedom In Attaining A True Democratic System Of Government In Nigeria
[A Study of Enugu North]
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C. Soviet / Communist Theory
The
soviet press operated as a tool of the ruling power just as the old
authoritarian theory. But unlike the older pattern, it is state owned
rather than privately owned. However, in spite of the fact that the
soviet press 10
was being tightly controlled, soviet spokesman
thought of their press as free because it is free to say the „truth‟ as
the party sees it.
The basic characteristics of press freedom under
the soviet/communist theory of the press are that: the press is used
instrumentally, that is as an instrument of the state and the party; the
media are closely integrated with other instrument of state power and
party influence; they are used as instruments of unity within the state
and the party; they are almost exclusively as instruments of propaganda
and agitation “Agit-props†and they are characterised by district
enforced responsibility (Ravitch, 1991).
D. Social Responsibility Theory
This
theory was developed out of the fact that the libertarian theory at a
point could not guarantee freedom of expression and that of the press.
This was because, after the collapse of authoritarian system, the media
fell into hands of a powerful few. No longer was it therefore easy for
the press to be the free market place of ideas. This theory holds that
the press must assume the role of serving the political system,
enlightening the public, safeguarding the libertarian of individuals,
servicing the economic system, 11
providing good entertainment without necessarily harming the democratic process.
Nigerian
constitution is not categorical about the freedom of the press; the
traditional functions are however derived from section 36 of the 1979
constitution which states that:
“Every person shall be entitled to
freedom of expression including freedom to hold opinion and to receive
and impact ideas and information without interference. (The constitution
of the FRN, 1979).
1.2 Statement Of Problem
The study of this
work will seek to know the illusion and reality of press freedom in the
Nigeria democratic system of government in Nigeria.
In stating the
problems of this work, it is very important to note research questions
on the press and democratic system as a concept, in such a way that it
will be easy to collect data to answer the questions: Are the Nigerian
journalist deceiving themselves in actualizing press freedom in our
democratic system of government making it a reality for Nigerians to 12
operate in a free media ownership? Why should there be absolute press freedom in our democratic system of government?
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]This paper examines the illusion and reality of press freedom in attaining a true democratic system of government in Nigeria. Area of the study was Enugu metropolis which comprises of Enugu North and Enugu South, as area considered one of the nerve centres of intense political activities in Nigeria. Data were collected through questionnaire. Survey method was used for this work. Findings show that the illusion and reality of press freedom in attaining a true democratic system of government in Ni ... Continue reading---
