DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN : THE PLACE OF THE MASS MEDIA

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ASADU,CLEMENTAFAMUEFUNA

Abstract This paper tries to explore the role of the press in a democracy with emphasis on achieving good governance. It traced the involvement of th~ media in Nigeria politics. The paper identified some important roles of the media in democracy outside the primordial functions of news dissemination, entertainment and persuasion to the provision of information, political mobilization and education of citizens; public opinion assessment orpolls, etc. Following these functions, the mass media make democracy participatory, transparent, and also sensitize and arouse people's consciousness about the socio- economic and political occurrences in the society. This type of two-way communication makes government not only responsive but also accountable. In doing this, the press is faced with some constraints, which include media ownership constraints, legal and extra-legal constraints and problems associated with the commercialization of the mass media. The paper suggested quoted on the stock exchange market, abrogation of some draconian laws of the military origin and religious adherence to the professional ethics as ways ofmoving out of the logjam.

Overview Rousseau referred to as 'Social In the beginning, individuals Contract', which means collective were separated from each other. Then, submission of people's will to one or a decisions were taken by summoning group ofpersons to govern the people. every male adult of the society to The first type of government that deliberate on a particular issue. The emerged was Monarchy. The process of summoning was very government was too authoritarian in cumbersome and time-consuming. that the leader could have a man As the society grew, however, it arrested, detained and sometimes became necessary to have an instituted killed without any objections or government where elected, selected or questions. Nobody dared condemn or appointed persons or people will make challenge the decisions ofthe Monarch. decisions on behalf of the entire Mass media under this condition citizenry. This is what the French writer were seen as part and parcel of the of the 15th century; Jean Jack government existing only to serve as

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megaphones of the government in rights are protected and people are power. No news gets to the public allowed to air their views on the issues without censorship. Again, the of the day. The role of the press in government in power not only ensuring that the government rules appointed the media executives, but justly to earn people's legitimacy is also approved licenses for them which given emphasis. It is in recognition of can easily be withdrawn if the media this that, the Americans in the First "misbehaved". Under this setting, not Amendment of their Constitution, only the press but also everybody lived submitted that, « •.. The congress shall in fear as there was no freedom of make no law abridging the freedom of expression. It was this that made the speech or of the press; or the right Rousseau to say that man is born free of the people peaceably to assemble, but everywhere we see him in chains and to petition the government for a (Ward, 1972: 16). redress of grievances". (Pember, 2003- This inclement condition in 2004 edition). most parts of Europe and the world at This was re-echoed by the large informed John Milton's speech to Constitution of the Federal Republic of the English parliament in 1644 Nigeria (1999) under section 39 (I) entitled, Aeropagitica where he where it read: offered a strong argument against the Every person shall be entitled to licensing order of 14 June 1643. He freedom of expression, including challenged the use ofcensorship on the freedom to hold opinions and to receive grounds that man is provided with and impart ideas and information reason and talent to choose between without interference. good and evil. To him, the press was seen as an extension of man's ability to The foregoing makes the press think and express his thought. very relevant in governance. That is, Individuals could only choose between under democracy, the press is charged truth and falsehoods if they had access with some responsibilities of carrying to both. He also affirmed that free and the people along. Onyishi (1996: 135) human government (good governance) alluded to this when he submitted that results only from free writing and free "the success or failure ofour practice of speaking. (See Ahmed, democratic governance will, to a large http://cjims.fims.uwo.ca/issues/01- extent, depend on how well the mass 01/ahmed.pdf). media carry out its functions as the Miltonwas not alone in this fight midwifeofdemocracy." for human freedom. Philosophers like The essence of democracy or John Locke, Thomas J efferson (1804), government according to Aristotle is to John Stuart Mill (1859) and many provide for good life. Good life here others also put forward strong connotes happiness, equality, freedom arguments in favour of human liberty. and fair play. That is, whatever This argument ushered in the era of decision the leaders take must be in libertarianism. line with achieving happiness for the In this type of society, human led. This is a major canon good

Ir•.International Journal of Communication No. 6 May, 2007 255 ASADU, CLEMENT AFAMUEFUNA governance. the majority of the electorate". This Good governance warrants means that a situation where rigging, constant c om m u n ic a t ion and killing and thuggery are used to foist feedback with the led to know what the somebody on the people is not people want and how they feel with a democracy. particular policy thereby making them Ward (1972:21) rather participants in decision making rather described what democracy entails. He than mere recipients of policies. The said that democracy is a habit of mind efficacy or otherwise of this and unless the citizens have good communication, either supports or virtues, their state cannot. If withdraws legitimacy from the democratic spirit of fairness, justice government in power. At the centre of and wisdom are not widely present this communication are the mass among the citizens, political institution media. of democracy is a sham. Writing about It is in the light of this that Ekpu democracy, Onyishi (1996: 135), notes (1998) enjoins members of the Fourth it as follows: Estate ofthe Realm to be objective, fair, accurate and observe ethical By political democracy I refer to standards so as not to mislead either that system of politics in which the government or the people. sovereignty is vested in the people rather than in a small OPERATIONALISATION clique or an oligarchy: where rule A better understanding of the of law, majority rule and subject-matter of our discourse can be constitutionalism are the basic achieved by the explication of some guiding principles. terms that will appear repeatedly in it. Some of these terms include Good Governance: In order to democracy, good governance and mass understand this term better, let us first media. understand what governance is all about especially now that it features Democracy: This was derived increasingly in development from the Greek words-'Demos' which literatures. Governance describes the means "people" and 'Kratos', which process of decision-making and means rule. Etymologically, process by which decisions are democracy means people's "rule". This implemen ted (see http: j j en. is why democracy has popularly been wikipedia. orgjwikijGood- defined as government of the people, governance) . for the people, by the people. Governance establishes the link According to Nwankwo between the leader and the led in their (1992:27), "democracy is a system quest to achieve a better life for the which gives periodic opportunities for majority of the citizens. United Nations the masses to choose their leaders". He Development Programme (UNDP) went further to say again that, initiative for change (1994) sees "democracy is a government elected by governance as mechanisms, processes

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and institutions, through which and promoting development". citizens and groups articulate their (www.undp. pogar. org/publications / interests, exercise their legal right, governance / aa/ good gov.pdt). meet their obligations and mediate Mass media: Mass media reer to their differences. all the avenues through which Good governance therefore information can be passed from one means ways of initiating and person to numerous, scattered and implementing policies that are aimed heterogeneous audiences. They can at advancing and bettering the lot of also mean vehicles through which the greater majority of the people. It is messages , information, ideas, in this vein that UNDP initiative for knowledge and culture are transferred change (1994) characterised good from one person/place to a large governance thus: audience. The audience is so large that it cannot be assembled in a place at a Good governance is among other time. things, participatory, transparent According to Nwosu (1996: 11) and accountable. It is also effective mass media are a "technical' and equitable. And it promotes the communication concept which refers rule of law. Also, good governance to the devices employed by anyone ensures that political, social and involved in a mass mediated economic priorities are based on communication situation for moving broad consensus in the society and messages across distance or time". that the voice of the poorest and Mass media are those organs of the most vulnerable are heard in mass communication, which include decision-making over the television, radio, newspaper, allocation of development magazine, books, internet, etc. They resources (http://magnet. can be broadly categorized into print UNDP.org/policy/ chapter1. htm) and broadcast (electronic) media.

This definition contains some salient MEDIA AND POLITICS IN NIGERIA: poin ts, which serve as the A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE characteristics of good governance. There is no way one can discuss They include mass participation, Nigerian politics without recognizing transparency, consensus building, the role the media have played in responsiveness, accountability to the politics. Press in Nigeria dats back to electorate, effective and efficient 1859 by Rev. Henry Townsend when administration, and above all respect Rev. Henry Townsend published Iwe for the rule of law. If all these are Irohin in Abeokuta in Yoruba present in a particular government, language. The paper was basically they will definitely lead to human published for the propagation of development. This must have informed gospel. As time went on, it was used to Kofi Annan's submission that "good carry advertisements and governance is perhaps the single most announcemen ts. important factor in eradicating poverty On June 6, 1863, Robert

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Campbel1launched the Anglo-African. laws and decrees, which included but According to Omu (1978) in Dimpka not limited to the Sunday Star and (1997:20), "the goal of the newspaper Imole Owuro (prohibition) Edicts No.s was to exploit the growing interest in 17 and 19 of 1968 and Newspaper western education and enlightenment (protection from circulation) in Lagos in the 1860s by providing (validation) Decree No. 12 of 1978. cheap and accessible material which General Buhari administration could educate, inform and entertain its promulgated public officers (protection readers". against false accusation) Decree No. 4 Indigenous press began when 1984. This Decree on July 4, 1984 Kitoyi Ajasa started The Nigerian landed two journalists, Tunde Pioneer in 1914. Ernest Ikoli started Thompson and Nduka Irabor in jail for The African Messenger 1919. In one year. General Babangida addition, Herbert Macaulay founded promulgated Newswatch (Proscription Lagos Daily News. These papers and and Prohibition from Circulation) others criticized and attacked the Decree No6 of 1987; and Decree No obnoxious policies colonial 45 (Newspaper Registration Decree), government. Precisely in 1926, which introduced stringent Adeyemo, Alakija, R.V. Osborne, L.A. registration guidelines for newspapers Archer and Richard Barrow launched and magazines. The aim was to whittle Daily Times with Ernest Ikoli as the down the number of print media editor. Few years later (1932), Dutse organizations in the country. Aliestablished WeeklyCornet. Abacha on his own did not Nnamdi Azikiwe launched the promulgate any anti press Decree, but The West African Pilot with the motto he used a phantom coup to jail Chris "show the light and the people will find Mbah of Tell Magazine, the way"in 1937. publisher of the Sunday magazine, In 1948, Zik fought the colonial Charles Obi of the defunct Weekend government over newspaper Classique and Kunle Ajibade of the Ordinance which made compulsory News (Tell Sept. 20, 2004: 19). Their payment of cash as a security deposit arrest and detention between 1995 and before publishing a newspaper. He 1998 was based on reports published in also utilized the power of the press to their papers which Abacha saw as a arouse the interests and political challenge to his self-succession bid. consciousness in Nigerians and other This myriad of Decrees and Africans to fight for independence. repressive measures was a testimony to The 1960 independence show that the military was me rked the end of the nationalist press uncomfortable with the press. The ar . ushered in a press of nation pressure from the press and other civil b-,'iing, but before this could take a organizations helped in sending the ·,ng hold, the military had struck in military back to the barracks in 1999. 1, The press came out again to fight Today the democratic return of power to the civilians. government in Nigeria is neither 'lrned the press some repressive friendly nor repressive. However, its

'" .nlinary Journal of Communication Studies 258 ASADU, CLEMENT AFAMUEFUNA retention of some of these draconian The press monitors and laws portrays it ofbeing anti press. checkmates the state administrators against excesses and violation of the THE ROLE OF THE PRESS IN social contract and reports findings to DEMOCRACY the people. The press is an integral part of democracy and for it to remain It is in line with this that Agoka relevant, there are some cardinal roles Lawani as reported by Onyedika (2006: it must play which include. 41) said observed correctly that ~ Provision OfInformation: "...journalists through objective The saying that information is reporting could be catalysts of positive power is true in a democratic change in the nation's democracy". government. People need political, economic, social and cultural ~ Public Opinion Polling Function: information about what happens Representative democracy is within and beyond their immediate participatory and requires that all environment in order to take informed shades of opinion should be recognized and wise decisions. The press performs and respected. This is because the this onerous function. It gathers and leader and the people have equal stake transfers information originating from in the polity since decisions taken by the government to the people and the leader affects the people. For this, carries people's yearnings and the people usually voice out their views aspirations back to the policy makers, when needed either to uphold or creating a two-way communication or jettison a particular programme or interaction between the leader and the policy. This is public opinion. led. The idea is to make governance a Explaining what this public participatory affair. opinion means, McBride et al (1981: We all know that politicians 196) noted inter alia: speak with water in their mouth. They make vague statements and some The concept of public opiruon times play to the gallery instead of has developed in step with the addressing the problems of the society. idea that powers of government In the process of performing its should be based on the consent watchdog role the press tries to counter of the governed and hence with the politicians subterfuge by providing the idea of democracy ... public adequate information on the business opinion is considered to be that of governance in a polity. As we all of the people outside the know, Information and its decision-making process, interpretation create a society external to the power centres, knowledgeable enough to respond and and differs from that of people react accordingly to the goings-on in who because of their specific the polity. The wisest society is the position, knowledge and skills most informed society. are responsible for decisions. To neglect this is a democratic

International Journal of Communication No. 6 May, 2007 259 ASADU, CLEMENT AFAMUEFUNA aberration. The business of modern concert with a muzzled press. governance emphasises the need to make the governed a major plank of ~ Political Mobilisation And societal advancement. Education Nigeria has not had a Echoing this need, Onyishi smooth political terrain since after (p.136) averred this: independence in 1960, be it military or It should also be noted that civilian. The military is autocratic and political power is a relationship high handed while the civilian between the influencer and the maintains the culture of winner-takes influencee. Both are affected in all. varying degrees by this More nauseating in Nigerian relationship. Because of this, democracy to many is the democratic there is the notion of consent in aberration of elections rigging, political the exercise of power. For the corruption, embezzlement of public relationship to be successful, funds, assassinations, maiming and there must be the consent ofthe other politically motivated vices. These influencee that is to say, those have made a good number (more than over who power is exercised. two-thirds) of Nigerians apolitical. But This relationship or interaction the business of politics is too sensitive is provided by communication. The to be left in the hands offew and corrupt leader tells the people (through the politicians. This then means that the mass media) what his programmes are; media should conscien tise and the media then sample and categorize sensitize the Nigerian people to build a the analyses of people's opinion. new political culture and orientation Often, this public opinion is devoid of the negative elements built and shaped by the press. This is mentioned above. Mobilization done by telling the people what to think transforms the perception, orientation about. and views ofthe society The workability of democracy depends on how much the press According to Moemeka objectively sample and convey people's (1991:22), mobilization is a process opinion to the government. "The safety which begins with a radical change in of the people in modern society the political orientation of the people. depends upon, the free and "The ultimate result of this change is untrammeled expression of the formation of new social relations". enlightened public opinion ... through On the same token, Sarglia Uysius an objective press" (Nnamani, 2003). noted, "No nation is ever built without an inspiring institution straddling and The press should' not neglect commanding the order of relations ..." this role, as it is the index for (See Nnamani, 2003). The press measuring good governance. Most of constitute the institution for social the revolutions that have taken place in change and political orientation which the world were due to blatant disregard serves as the central nervous system of for public opinion by the government in democracy.

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Mobilization means making people politically conscious through CONSTRAINTS OF THE PRESS IN subtle strategies of the mass media. DEMOCRACY The strategies are aimed at making everybody involved in rebuilding the ~ Ownership Restraints: society. That is why the Whether government owned or Chapter of MAMSER (1988:11) defines privately owned, the media are highly mobilization to thus: affected by the interests, decisions and influence ofthe owner. A process of awakening the The proprietor's interest consciousness of people as to the informs the editorial policy ofthe media resources at their disposal and outlet because he who pays the piper also motivating them to utilize the dictates the tune. It is on this token resources a collectively for an that Dan Agbese, of Newswatch overall improvement of their living Magazine, contends that no condition ... it is a re-orientation publication, no matter how and organization exercise which independent it may claim to be, can instill discipline, raise awareness escape serving certain vested interests and thereby unfold creature, maybe knowingly or unknowingly. productive and innovative These interests may be commercial, available natural resources into political, communal, tribal or even goods and services. religious. The result is that the gathering and dissemination of news is For this mobilization to bear a secondary to certain other interests sustainable fruit, it has to be backed (see Dimkpa, p. 18-19). with political education. If the people That means that media owners are not well educated about the dictate (through editorial policy) what meaning and reasons for some political reporters cover. That is why occurrences, they will be very reluctant government media are seen singing to imbibe a new political culture. praises about government The media, for this purpose programmes whether they are laudable should design educative programmes. or not. Udeajah (2004: 158) expressed This can take the form of phone-in this perspective when he said that programmes where experts field government-owned media, like NTA questions from the public and and FRCN were merely information journalists. For this education to be far houses for government activities and reaching and broad based, there policies where news focus was to have should be rural media system and government favourably mentioned. telephony where vernacular is used to The story is the same in the re-educate. It is a known fact that our private owned media where the media media are city-based perhaps because are used to pursue private gains of the of the level of enlightenment and owner, which in most cases are business in the city leaving the rural political. That is why most politicians dwellers to their fate. float newspapers and radio stations,

International Journal of Communication No. 6 May, 2007 261 ASADU, CLEMENT AFAMUEFUNA which become weak months after their fairly used(Tokumbo) plane. The State election or failure at the polls. Example Security Service (SSS) insisted that the is Minaj Radio, Liberty Newspaper, etc. stories were intended to bring the Under this condition, it becomes person of the president into derision. largely difficult for the press to play (SeeAdekeye, 2006:21) pure democratic roles mentioned Another law that vitiates the above to ensure good governance. This effective role of the media in democracy is because the media have to followthe is Official Secret Act. This law makes it precepts and philosophy of the difficult for the press to have access to editorial policy, which may be at information and documents about the variance with such role. government and its policies. It also ~ Legal Constraints: Thomas forbids the public office holders to Jefferson, the third American divulge information to the media president said that he preferred press especially junior workers without without a government to government authorisation no matter how trivial the without a press. In Nigeria, the reverse thing might be. This has made it is the case. Our leaders hate the imperative that when the media want to media's probing eyes and investigative find out something about a government inclination. For this, they try to muzzle establishment, they have to put it in the press with some legal and extra- writing and submit for appraisal. This legal instruments. gives rise to in doctoring offacts. One of these control ~ Commercialisation Of Media: mechanisms that weigh the media Journalism profession to some extent is down in their discharge of democratic supposed to be a service orientated function is law on sedition. This law profession. Nevertheless, following the considers it an offence to criticise the commericalisaton and privatisation of government or a public office holder the media, emphasis has shifted from whether the criticism is based on truth reporting daily news-worthy or falsehood. occurrences to advertisement and In Nigeria leaders see themselves as entertainment. the government and as such condone This new type of publication has no criticism. So if a reporter give changed the nature of mass information that will stimulate the communication. The goal ofthe process citizenry to ask basic questions as to is no longer for audience and media to why a government is corrupt, such create meaning together. Rather, it is to reporter will be charged for sedition. A sell those readers to advertisers (Baran, typical example is the case of Gbenga 2002:23). Aruleba and Rotimi Durojaiye who This business inclination of the were arraigned before an High modern day media has diverted Court together with their employers, reporter's attention from investigative African Independent Television (AIT) reporting to writing stories mostly on and Daily Independent Newspaper entertainments, sex and crimes. The limited for writing stories and anticipation is that these will create presenting the new presidential jet as a more readerships and subsequently

All interdisciplinary Journal of Communication Studies 262 ASADU, CLEMENT AFAMUEFUNA bring in more advertisers. Based on goings-on in the government will now this, the media can no longer claim to decide editorial policies. Really, this will be a free market place of ideas as news offer the press the opportunity of is slanted, and many questions remain playing a very pro-active role in unanswered. democracy and good governance. ~ Extra Judicial Constraints: Not only that, journalism Nigerian society has an illegal way of profession will be made more silencing the press. Some of these ways competitive as media people will be include assassination, maiming, striving to make their paper or kidnap and other dastardly acts. broadcast station boom so as to make In 1986, precisely on September their stock in the market very attractive 19, a renowned journalist, Mr. Dele for people to invest in. The kind of Giwa, was murdered through a letter competition that will ensue will be akin bomb and even up until now, the to that of telecommunications and will culprits have not been brought to book. as well encourage rural media, as the Giwa was murdered for allegedly city will be very small to accommodate writing a story was damaging to the outburst of stations and print government interests ( Ojewale, 2006: houses that will emerge. 31). Cases like this abound where Baran (p.24) had this in mind people are killed without any trace. when he wrote that, through mergers, This extra-legal ways could also acquisitions, buyouts, and hostile take the form of high taxes on media takeovers, a very small number oflarge material; high registration charges, conglomerates are coming to own more etc. and more of the world's media outlets. This domination requires scattering WAYS OUT OF THE LOGJAM media presence for market and patronage. ~ Media Should Go Public: ~ Abrogation of Draconian Laws: This is a situation where most The National Assembly should make broadcast stations and print houses go haste to purge our constitution of all public, that is, become quoted on the the draconian provisions that muzzle floor of the Nigerian stock exchange freedom of express and the press. Our market. To be quoted implies being statute books should also be cleared of sold to the public so that the media will laws. It should be noted that most of not be answerable to any single these laws were made during the individual or government or its agency. colonial and military era, to still retain This will ameliorate the problem them now means anti-democracy. of ownership influence on the policy of ~ Keep To Ethics: Journalists the media and subsequently make should not allow themselves to be used reporters more determined and willing as an organ of witchhunting enemies. to cover and investigate government or Sometimes some faceless journalists individuals from a detached point of write uninvestigated and disparaging view. The people (the general public) stories about a person. This might be to who are always inquisitive to know the destroy the person's political career or

International Journal of Communication No. 6 May, 2007 263 ASADU, CLEMENT AFAMUEFUNA to satisfy his (Journalist's) boss or personal interest. It is a thing like this Baran, Stanley J (2002) Introduction that many lead to assassination of a to Mass Communication: Media journalist and/ or proscription of Literacy and Culture. (2nd media outlets and other extra legal edition), U.S.A:McGrawHill. treatments. It is therefore, suggested that media practitioners should keep Dimkpa, Prince (1997) Media to ethical standards at all times. Management in Nigeria. Lagos: Org Communications Consults. Conclusion The Press popularly referred to Ekpu, Ray (1998) «Patriotism and as the Fourth Estate of the Realm has Professionalism in Defence been reorganized as an integral part of Reporting: Nigeria as a Case governmen t and society. In this Study" Being a paper presented perspective, the press is seen as the at a seminar organized by the fourth arm of government. The press Association of Defence also provides a meeting point between Correspondents in Lagos, the leader and the led. This is through Tuesday May 12,1998. the provision of information, political mobilization and education, and the Eni, Helen (2006) "Training the Peoples projection and assessment of public Watchdog" Tell October 30, opinion and many other such roles. 2006p.11. However, some factors have been identified as militating against Emery, et al (1965) Introduction to media performance. The s e Mass Communication (2nd factors must be addressed in order to edition) U.S.A: Dodd, Mead and create a conducive environment for Company Inc. good governance and participatory democracy. McBride, Sean et al (1980) Many Voices one World REFERENCES Communication and Society Today and Tomorrow Nigeria. Adekeye Fola "Jettieioninq the Ibadan: University Press. Controversy" Tell July 31, 2006. Moemeka, Andrew A.(1991) "Perspective on Development Ahmed, Abul Mansur «Freedom Of The Communication" in Kwame Press And Its Constraints: A Boafo S.T. (ed) Module on Study ofPress development communication 1. Regulations in Bangladesh" Kenya: African Council for Obtainable on Communication Education. http://cjms.fims.uwo.ca/issues /Ol-01/ahmed.pdf visited on Nnamani, Chimaroke (2003) "The 29-10-06 Press and the Nigerian Project"

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Newswatch, November 17, The (1998) MAMSER at Imo in Imo 2003. State Handbook. : Prime Enterprises Ltd. Nwankwo, B.C (1992) Authority in Government: Nigeria and World UNDP Initiative for change on Good Politics in Focus. Makurdi: Governance and sustainable Almond Publishers human development, 1994 obtainable at Nwosu, Ikechukwu E(1996). "The Mass http://magnet.undp.orglpolicy Media Of Communication: A /chapterl htm) visited on 04-06- Conceptual Typological And 06 Functional Overview" in Ikechukwu E Nwosu and Udeajah, Ray A. (2004) Broadcasting UchennaA and Politics in Nigeria: 1963- 2003. Enugu: Snaap Press Ltd. Ekwo (eds) Mass Media and Marketing Communication:Principals Ward, W.E.F. (1972) Government in Practices, Perspective. Errugu; West African. (4'h Edition). thouib.t..Gommunicatign p~_ ' London: George AlIen and UnwinUd. ' Ojewale, Olu (2006) "The shame of a nation"Tell, October 23,2006. Wikipedia Obtainable at http:// en. wikipeddia. orgl wiki/ Onyishi, Tony Ezenweze (1996) "The Good-governance visited on role of the Mass Media in 14-11-06 Democracy "in Ikechukwu E. Nwosu and Uchenna A. Ekwo (eds) Mass Media and Marketing communications: Principles, practices perspective. Enugu: Thought communications Pub.

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