Impact Of Freedom Of Information Act On Journalism Practice In Nigeria
[A study of journalism practices in Uyo community]

1.3 Objective of the Study

It is a well-known fact that Freedom of Information Act (FOI) was to strengthen the constitutional guarantee of freedom to receive and impact information and ideas. The law encourages investigative journalism, balance reporting, and objectivity, verification of stories, openness, transparency, fairness and accuracy in media presentation. Therefore, the researchers consider the following objective relevant.

1. To find out the Impacting of Freedom of Information Act (FOI) on journalist practices in Uyo Community.

2. To know the extent of Freedom of Information Act Practice in Uyo Community.

3. To determine how Uyo L G A (local government area) encourages Freedom of Information Act.

1.4 Research Questions

The researcher‘s attend in the research work will be focused on how to answer the following questions;

1. What are the impacts of freedom of Information Act on journalists in Uyo community

2. What are the extents of Freedom of Information Act among practicing Journalist in Uyo Community

3. How does the government of Uyo community encourages Freedom of Information Act.

1.5 Scope of the Study

This study is mainly focuses on the residence of Uyo community which include the four clans of Uyo local government of Akwa Ibom state.

1.8 Significance of the Study

This  study  is  aim  at  promoting  and  encouraging  the  new  law  ―Freedom  of Information Act‖ in Uyo community and Nigeria at large. The study will be of great

benefit to the researcher, journalist and the entire Nigeria to embrace the law in order to encourage professionalism and the ethnics of journalism.

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

Freedom: This is the power or right to act, speak etc. as one wants without anyone stopping. It is the permission to use, act, and speak, etc. without restriction in Uyo community.

Information: This is a fact told, heard or discovered about something/ somebody. It is also seen as knowledge gives/ provides/ pass on/ receive/ obtain/ collect about something/ somebody in Uyo community.

Act: This is a law made by a parliament or similar body in Uyo community.

Journalism: This is the activity or product of journalists or others engage in the preparation of written, visual, or audio material intended for dissemination through public media with reference to factual, ongoing events of public concern. It is intended to inform society about itself and to make public things that would otherwise be private in Uyo community.

Uyo community: This is a city in the south eastern Nigeria and is the capital of Akwa Ibom state. The city became a capital of Akwa Ibom state on September 23, 1997 following the creation of Cross River. Uyo is bounded by; 

Abak, Itu, Uruan,

Ibesikpo Asutan and

Etinan local government all in Akwa Ibom State. She is made up of four (4) clans which includes; Ikono, Etio, Oku, and Offort clan. She has a total population of 309,513(male 153, 11 and female 156,460) according to 2006 National census.