INFLUENCE OF NEWS CENSORSHIP ON THE PERFORMANCE OF MEDIA HOUSES IN NIGERIA (A STUDY OF NASARAWA BROADCASTING SERVICE, LAFIA)

Abstract The aim of this study was to analysis the influence of News Censorship on the Performance of Media Houses in Nigeria. The aim of this study was achieved using the survey research method. Subjects were drawn from staff of Nasarawa Broadcasting service using the purposive sampling technique. Five research questions were used in the study. The findings of the study showed that, news censorship has negative influence on the performance media houses, news objectivity, accuracy and balance and on reporters and editors. However, recommendations were by the researchers that reporters and editors should be given the freedom to gather and disseminate news without prior and post censorship and self-censorship for the interest of the public and for news objectivity, accuracy and balance; which should be priority of every media house. However, this freedom should be matched with maximum responsibility to ensure continuous public and government trust in the media. The researcher suggested that further study should be made using more refined tools, larger sample size and another geographical area that will give the study a wider scope and empirical lift.
Table of Content Title page i Declaration ii Certification Page iii Dedication v Acknowledgement vi Table of Content vii List of Content x Abstract xi
CHAPTER ONE:  INTRODUCTION  1.1 Background of the Study 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem 3 1.3 Objectives of the Study 3 1.4 Research Question 4 1.5 Scope of the Study 4 1.6 Significance of the Study 4 1.7 Operational Definition of Terms 5
CHAPTER TWO:  LITERATURE REVIEW  2.1 Introduction 6 2.2 Review of concepts 6 2.2.1 The concept of censorship 6 2.2.2 The concept of mass media 13 2.2.3 The concept of news 15 2.3. Review of related studies 17 2.4.Theoretical framework 19 2.5 Summary 20
CHAPTER THREE:  SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS  3.1 Introduction 21 3.2 Research Design 21 3.3 Population of the Study 21 3.4 Sampling Technique/ Sampling 21 3.5 Description of the Research Instrument 22 3.6 Validity of data Gathering Instrument 22 3.7 Method of Data Collection 22 3.8 Method of Data Analysis 22
CHAPTER FOUR;  DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS  4.1 Introduction 23 4.2 Data Presentation and Analysis 24 4.3 Discussion of Findings 38
CHAPTER FIVE;  SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS  5.1 Introduction 44 5.2 Summary of Findings 44 5.3 Conclusion 45 5.4 Recommendations 45 5.5 Suggestion for Further Studies 45 References 46 Appendix A 47 Appendix B 48   LIST OF TABLES  DEMOGRAPHIC DATA TABLES  Table 1; Demographic Data on Sex 24 Table 2; Age range 24 Table 3; Marital status 25 Table 4; Educational qualifications 25 Table 5; How long have you worked in Nasarawa Broadcasting Service 26 Table 6; what cadre are you Data from survey table  Table 7; meaning of censorship 28 Table 8; is censorship practiced in Nasarawa Broadcasting Service? 28 Table 9; to what extent is news censored in NasarawaBroadcasting Service? 29 Table 10; what form of news censorship is practiced in Nasarawa Broadcasting service? 30 Table 11; which of the following measures have you experienced? 30 Table 12; what is the reason given for news censorship in your organization? 31 Table 13; what do you think encourages news censorship am0ng journalist? 32 Table 14; do you think news censorship can affect the performance of a media house? 33 Table 15; if yes, how? 33 Table 16; Does news censorship in whatever form practiced influence objectivity, accuracy and balance in news 34 Table 17; how does news censorship influence news objectivity accuracy and balance? 35 Table 18; has news censorship influence your performance in anyway? 35 Table 19; if yes, in what way? 36 Table 20; In the long run what will be the effect of this social phenomenon? 36 Table 21; would you suggest that news censorship should not be practiced no matter the reasons given? 37 Table 22; what steps should be taken to minimize news censorship? 38   INTRODUCTION The primary function of the mass media is to provide information, escapism, and entertainment, give self-worth and link different societies to other societies. (Ndolo, 2006).In any country, the media is expected to be the voice of the voiceless and to seek justice, which is the true nature of journalism.
The media, in the performance of its duty is expected to be neutral, objective and balanced. However, achieving this has proven to be difficult due to some factors, the most significant of all, being censorship of the media.
In Nigeria, as well as other developing countries, freedom is still elusive based on historical information. The media began without any definite statutory control. For instance, the first documented newspaper „IweIroyin (1859)‟ was published without a laid down law by the state regulating the activities of publishers. Although this unregulated situation did not remain unchecked as the government grew increasingly unsettled by media content. It experienced occasional interruption by the then colonial government. This unrest increased with the emergence of nationalist papers and the need for media independence became inevitable.
Since the attainment of independence in 1960, the mass media have been attributed to extra-legal control measures imposed on them to restrict their social responsibilities. It was more felt during the military regime.   Since 1999, the role the media played in ushering in democracy cannot be over-emphasized as they helped to inform, educate and serve as watchdog over the society. In spite of this, it is obvious that the disposition of the society towards the media have not been favourable. Hence, there is need for this research, to find out the extent and influence of news censorship on the performance of media.