THE GOVERNMENT, MEDIA AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

1.1 Introduction

Mass media refers to the various means of imparting information and influencing the ideas of a wide and large audience, collectively or individually. In professional or technical usage, mass media refers to the total fields of mass communication, especially, newspapers, journals, radio and television, for the purpose of informing, educating, entertaining and shaping opinion and awareness of a wider public. As the concept of Media is vast, so for the sake of simplicity and to design our present study we shall consider the Print (Newspapers) and Electronic Media (Television). In general, electronics media refers to that type of media where electronics or electromechanical energy are used to access the content. Again, print media implies to that type of media where content (Texts/Images) are accessed by using a master form or template. Moreover, there are some media correspondence people who are doing a good job in publishing/telecasting some vital issues related to the rural development at the national level (Amirize, 2004).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Over the years, man has lived in the dark era; been of certain information, but today mass media has played a significant role in the development of our communities, a medium through which message travel from the source to the receiver. Mass Media is designed as information and news such as newspapers, magazine, television that reaches and influence large number of people. It is said that big minds discuss issues but small minds discuss persons.

The significance of communication for human mind cannot be over estimated. This is true because beyond the physical requirements of food and shelter, man needs to communicate with his/her fellow human beings. There are specific roles which mass media play in the development of our communities which include, the transmission of social heritage, entertainment functions of the environment, correlation of part of the society, educating the masses and mobilization function, that is to say that without communication, no society can exist much less develop and survive.

Community development is the process of improving the living conditions of a society. Improvement is linked to economic and material progress as well as spiritual and psychological growth. While some Theorists perceive development as primarily the increase in production and distribution of capital, there is an increasing consensus to embrace development as a change in human conditions. Traditionally, communication efforts have tended to fulfill three main roles in development: to inform and persuade people to adopt certain behaviours and practices that are deemed beneficial to them; to enhance the image and credibility that is, development organizations involved in the efforts; and last, to enable Community consultation on specific initiatives (Fairchild, 2001).

For the existence as well as the organization of every society, communication is a fundamental and vital process. It could be seen from the forgoing functions that mass media provide information and education, personal identity, entertainment and most importantly, integration and social interaction, by giving insight into the circumstances of others as well as helping the development of social empathy. In this information age were communicated it has been taken as vital instrument for rural economic, social and political development. Even in most rural communities where media are complex are partially available, information is shared among the people who cannot read or write and get them to maintain a stable system of living.

The role of mass media in rural community has grown in context of communication changing with the proper use of communication media in shaping and channeling the minds of the rural communities in the use that help them, and it will go a long way in helping their condition. It is therefore important to investigate the role of mass media in community even down to local government level to make the rural communities developed.

Howley (2005) said the focus in more recent years has shifted to providing a forum or platform for dialogue, debate, and participation for all sectors of society, especially those that have been under- represented. Communication is the complex process of creation, transmission, maintenance and transformation of information ideas, using a mix of interpersonal and mediated channels which are sustained political, economic and social structures. Development communication is the use of communication to stimulate debate and involve people in decision-making and actions to bring about change. It is also the use of communication channels and messages to help people acquire the new knowledge and skills needed to perform in society and to be able to work with people from different sectors in the development process. Development communication is defined as the purposive use of interpersonal, participatory and mediated channels to buttress positive change among individuals and societies at the micro (communities), macro (nations) and meson (large regions) levels.

In a bid to deal with this challenge, successive governments and development agencies use Community leaders and other strategies to reach the people. However, it has been revealed that these leaders only try to protect their own selfish interests. There is therefore, the need for a change in approach. An approach that reaches Community members individually seem to be more effective and this approach is the use of Mass media. Similarly, efforts have been made in the past and present to mobilize Community members for Community development in the study area using traditional media but this has not made any significant impact as there is still wide spread indolence, lethargy and apathy among Community members when it comes to participation in Community development.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know The Government, Media and Community Development in Nigeria.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that the success of any Community development effort is determined to a large extent by the level of participation of Community members in the process and the efficiency of information dissemination process adopted. Unfortunately, the rural areas have experienced relatively low participation of people in development programmes. People are also not aware of Government Developmental Agenda for their Communities. Sometimes, development Programmes are carried out without recourse to Community members contributions and input. This has led to several abandoned projects, projects are sited without due consultation with community members which is one of the many pitfalls in Community development process.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine The Government, Media and Community Development in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To examine the role played by the mass media in contributing to the community development;
2. To examine the extend which mass media has contributed to the development of the community;
3. To determine the means and sources of mass media that are available to the people living in the area under study;
4. To examine the problem faced by mass media practitioners that affect community development in the study area; and
5. To determine if there is any adverse impact of exposure to mass media on the people and how this can be eliminated or minimized.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Is there any adverse impact of exposure to mass media on the people and how this can be eliminated or minimized?
• What is the role played by the mass media in contributing to the community development?
• To extend has mass media contributed to the development of the community?
• What is the problem faced by mass media practitioners that affect community development in the study area?
• What are the means and sources of mass media that are available to the people living in the area under study?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There are no significant challenges faced by mass media practitioners that affect community development in the study area
• H1: There are significant challenges faced by mass media practitioners that affect community development in the study area

1.7 Significance of Study

There are many people that will benefit from this research. Both the young and the old will gain a lot of things from this work. The level of education will not only be improved by mass media among the youths but also among the old ones.

This research will be of advantage to everybody in the community because the knowledge of how to provide solution to community’s problems will be acquired.

The knowledge of modern education system through the use of computer will be gained by the help of mass media. Though this research is based on ten communities, it is organized in such a way that highlights the role played by the mass media in community development.

This study will be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.8 Scope of the Study

The scope of the research is focused on The Government, Media and Community Development in Nigeria using Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State as a case study.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. 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).

1.10 Definition of Terms

The following terms have been defined for further clarification and to enhance proper explanation of viable.

Community:

The term community has two different meanings; A group of people living in the same proximity (i.e, in space, time or relationship. Community usually refers to a society or unit larger than a house hold that shares common values.

Community development:

Community development is a way of strengthening civil society by coming together to take collective actions of communities and their perspective in the developments of social economic and environmental policy. It seeks the empowerment of local communities taken to mean both geographical communities; communities organizing around specific themes or policy initiatives.

Mass Media:

Mass media refers to channels of communication that involve transmitting information in some way, shape or forms to large numbers. Mass media also refers to print, radio television, and other communication technologies.

Printing Press:

A printing press is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium (such as paper or cloth).