Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017
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Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017
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Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017
Articles
Newspaper Framing of Incumbent President and Challenger in Nigeria‟s 2015 Presidential Election Michael O. Ukonu, & Ijeoma D. Ajaero 1
Awareness and Perception of Media Campaign on E-waste effects among Residents of Ado Odo-Ota, Nigeria Charity Ben-Enukora, Nelson Okorie (Ph.D), Toluwalope Oresanya & Thelma Ekanem 18
Exploring the Awareness-Perception Profile of Operation Green Lagos Campaign in Lagos, Nigeria Oludare E. Ogunyombo & Dele Odunlami 33
Media Coverage and Framing of Cultural Practices that Target Nigerian Women Innocent Ihechu, Chukwuemeka Okugo, Faith Amah & Christian Afulike 55
Mass Communication Education in Nigeria: Current Status, Challenges and Way Forward Ayodele, J. Oyewole & Damilola S. Olisa 76
iii Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017
Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017
An Open Access Journal, Available Online
Newspaper Framing of Incumbent President and Challenger in Nigeria’s 2015 Presidential Election
Michael O. Ukonu, Ph.D & Ijeoma D. Ajaero
Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka [email protected]
Abstract: As elections draw near, citizens look up to the media for information about contestants. This study examines the coverage, by four dominant newspapers, of an incumbent President and his challenger in the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria, to determine how the news was constructed and the framing patterns in their reports. Using the continuous week formula, 28 editions spread over four months were studied. Results show that there were 110 articles on the 2015 election that captured a total of 245 frames. The history frame was dominant, followed by national security and corruption. The findings also show that the 2015 presidential elections were adequately reported by the media but contents focused more on the candidates than on issues. This study recommends that the issues raised by contestants in their manifestos could be appropriated by the media to expand their discussion on matters affecting the citizens rather than the personality of the contestants. Keywords: Media, Framing, presidential election, incumbent president, challenger.
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Introduction coming poll which many see as a Elections are conducted every four tight race between the two top years in Nigeria and 2015 was an contenders namely President election year. Though there were 14 Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples‟ candidates vying to become Democratic Party (PDP) and president in that year, only two - General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) incumbent President Goodluck of the All Progressive Congress Jonathan (of the Peoples Democratic (APC).” The two candidates, Party, PDP) and former Head of according to Samuel (2016) were State Muhammadu Buhari (of the commonly depicted in a variety of All Progressive Congress, APC) - stereotypical terms, with Buhari appeared popular. being seen as northerner, militarist,
The 2015 presidential election was ostensibly ascetic, jihadist; while one of the fiercests owing to the Jonathan was presented as a socio-political situation which had southerner, civilian, indolent, and ebbed dangerously. Security religiously moderate. situation in the country had been Buhari was a four-time opposition complicated by the Boko Haram candidate who contested in 2003 and insurgency. Youth unemployment, 2007 under the All Nigerian rivalry of the country‟s north and the People‟s Party (ANPP). In 2011, he south over power-sharing, menace contested under the platform of the of Fulani herdsmen, fragile party Congress for Progressive Change alliances, shortage of electricity (CPC) against Jonathan, who won were just a few of the tension- and in 2015, he became the causing factors. Nigerians needed presidential candidate for the All change desperately and the 2015 Progressive Congress (APC) and presidential elections provided the emerged the winner. Jonathan opportunity to bring in a new regime became the acting President in 2010 that could turn things around. following the demise of the
Ezea (2015, para. 5) asserts that President, Umaru Musa Yar‟adua. “since 1999, Nigerians have not He then contested in 2011 and won. witnessed a presidential poll These two candidates were popular [whose] prelude has generated much and given much coverage by the controversy, hate campaigns, tense media. The mass media influence atmosphere, intrigues, scheming, the public opinion by canalizing blackmail, mudslinging, allegations, attention toward the topics and divisiveness, bad blood, threats, themes that they consider important. inflammatory and unguarded The approaches mass media use utterances, propaganda like the forth regarding these themes can induce
2 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 specific effecte in their evaluation The media can influence the public by the public (Carstea, 2012, p. 97). opinion and perception of a The media and political parties share candidate with the way they frame a symbiotic relationship. The former and construct news reports. Framing generate income from electioneering is a central process by which advertisements while the latter need political actors and government publicity to get their message across. officials exercise political influence This arrangement is a critical over each other and over the public component of the discourse on (Oksanen, 2011, p. 481). Ideally, media commercialism (Omojola & framing research examines the Morah, 2014). construction of news stories, how
Sambe (2015, p.119) asserts that these stories articulate frames, and “Governments around the world, how audience members interpret knowing the power of the media ... these frames (Carragee & Roefa, tend to hold unto it or fear the level 2004, p. 215). of freedom allowed because of the This study investigates the frames power of the media toward public used in the coverage of opinion and mass mobilization.” Mohammadu Buhari and Goodluck Media and politics are inseparable in Jonathan by four dominant Nigerian any democratic culture and newspapers. It specifically identifies environment” (Ekeanyanwu, 2015, the frames, especially the p. 198). In media contents, frames preponderant ones that formed the exist or are created which affect basis for discussion in the build-up election fortunes and influence to the election. political destinies. It is against this Objectives of the Study backdrop that this study sought to 1. To determine the frequency of investigate the frames used in coverage of the APC and PDP reporting PDP and APC Presidential candidates in the selected candidates during the 2015 newspapers. presidential election in Nigeria. 2. To ascertain the frames
Statement of the Problem employed by the press in their As elections draw near, citizens are reportage of the two candidates. faced with many choices to make 3. To identify the dominant frames regarding candidates. Since it is in the coverage that dominated quite impossible for them to interact public discourse in the build-up personally with these aspirants, they to the 2015 presidential election. look up to the media for information Significance of the Study about them. Many reports have been written
about the 2015 presidential election
3 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 in Nigeria but only very few are specifically Kenya, the authors visible in the area of framing concluded that “the media and patterns. This is a contribution to ethnicity are readily blamed in help increase the knowledge of conflicts” (p. 216). Olayode (2015) students, reporters and readers about supports the assertion and stresses media framing and its usage. that from the presidential through
Literature Review gubernatorial, national and state Rather than reporting the facts of a assemblies elections, aspirants are story, the media have been accused largely chosen on the basis of ethno- of inserting their personal biases or regional identities. He adds that opinions in news content (O‟gara, “political parties and candidates are 2009, p. 1). The lack of objectivity easily perceived as representatives in news presentation has made of a particular ethnic or religious visible the existence of alternative group and voting pattern in Nigeria media which are usually online- largely mirrors the various cleavages based. This is not just a Nigerian in the country” (p.3). phenomenon. Sani‟s (2014, p.71) Several studies have been conducted study of Malaysia‟s 13th general by researchers on the framing on the elections concluded that “…there coverage of elections, debates and was an element of contradiction campaigns in different countries between the mainstream print media (Cheeseman, Lynch and Willis, and alternative online media. The 2014; Groshek and Al-Rawi, 2013; biased coverage of mainstream print Kasmani, 2013; Schuck, media has pushed readers to look for Vligenthart, Boomgaarden, alternative news in online news Elenbaas, Azrout, Spanje and portals.” This is in line with DeVresse, 2013; Buller, 2012; Ekeanyanwu‟s (2015, p. 17) Oksanen, 2011; Dimitrova and assertion that “the media are not the Stromback, 2011; Zurbrigger and sole source of information for voters Sherman, 2010; Squires and but in a world dominated by mass Jackson, 2010). Carstea (2009) communications, the media studied the opinion articles on the determine the political agenda.” 2009 presidential elections in
The history of political crises in Romania and found that the mass Africa appears to be incomplete media provided mainly negative without references to the media as a interpretation (attack/conflict type) promoter of the problem (Onyebadi to the electoral campaign and and Oyedeji, 2011). In their study of focused mainly on secondary themes the newspaper coverage of the post that were rather related to the political election violence in Africa, candidates‟ moral conducts and
4 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 characters than their manifestoes. newspapers on the 2015 elections On the 2015 presidential election found that PDP and APC dominated campaign in Nigeria, Samuel (2015, the political landscape with low para. 1) opined that “what is in presence of adversarial contents. contention in the election may not The mass media in their everyday be the superiority of one ideology duty of informing, educating and over the other, as understood in the entertaining the society, create Western democracies. Rather, what frames that can serve as a prism is becoming evident is that the through which the audience election is about two quarrelsome understand issues and events as they camps, each seeking a popular happen in the society. Mchakulu mandate to determine the fortunes (2011, p. 30) opines that frames are (or the lack thereof) of nearly 170 deliberately created by political million Nigerians” organizations or their agents to be
Issues like insecurity, corruption, used publicly, disseminated widely, religion, ethnicity and the economy and repeated often by speakers that were popular in the public discourse. are affiliated with one political party The 2015 general elections were or another. seen by northerners as their golden Sambe (2015, p. 115-6) asserts that opportunity to wrestle back power, contemporary writings on political which they felt had been unjustly communication must be a serious – denied them after the untimely death theoretical and empirical- evaluation of kinsman President Musa of the importance of the mass media Yar‟adua that saw Jonathan taking in relation to public opinion. over as the acting President Although researchers have (Olayode, 2015, p. 17). conducted studies on the influence
Studies have been conducted on the of the media on voting behavior and 2015 elections in Nigeria. While also analyzed the 2015 elections some researchers looked at political political advertisements, there exists participation, voting behavior and a dearth of study on newspaper the role of the media in Nigeria framing of the two presidential (Olowojolu, 2016; George-Genye, candidates of the two most 2015), others analyzed the 2015 influential party-PDP and APC elections political advertisements during the 2015 elections. How (Alawole and Adesanya, 2016; these two candidates were depicted Ojekwe, 2015; Batta, Batta and in the media with regard to the Mboho, 2015). The study by themes used informed this study.
Alawole et.al (2016) on political advertisements in selected
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Framing Theory This means that through the use of It has been said that the way a frames by the media, several events particular issue or event is presented can be understood by people in the affects the way it is perceived and society. understood (Ajaero, 2014). Ideally, Baran and Swan (2007, p. 13) see framing research examines the media framing as “shaping the news construction of new stories, how we‟re exposed to and the issues we these stories articulate frames, and think about. It can move people to how audience members interpret vote against their best interests, buy these frames (Carragee and Roefa, products that are not good for them, 2004, p. 215). The framing and help dissolve boundaries approaches in media studies relate to separating facts, marketing, dogma the psychological and sociological and ideology.” Framing must be proposition that individuals need perceived as a process in which certain interpretative frames to be frame-building happens first, able to establish an opinion or an followed by frame-setting in a evaluation about a matter (Carstea, process that leads to positive or 2012, p. 98). negative outcomes (DeVresse,
Framing is a central process by 2005).This work investigated the which political actors, such as type of frames employed by government officials, exercise newspapers in their reportage of the influence over each other and the 2015 presidential election public (Oksanen, 2011, p. candidates.
481).When Nisbet and Newman Method (2015) state that “there is no such This study adopted the content thing as unframed information”, analysis method and the population they point out how framing is such a of this study includes all the national large part of communication and dailies published in Nigeria. Using society. (p.325). Ritzer and the purposive sampling technique, Goodman (2003) conclude that four titles - The Guardian, The Sun, “without frames, our world will be The Nation and Vanguard -were little more than a number of chaotic selected. The dominance (Odiboh et individual and unrelated events and al, 2017) of the newspapers in facts” (p.363). Framing is based on Nigeria informed their selection. the assumption that how an issue is The issues studied spanned characterized in news reports can December, 2014 - March, 2015. have an influence on how it is This period covers the time when understood by the audience the primaries were conducted up to (Scheufele and Tewksbury, 2007). the presidential elections that was
6 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 held on March 28th, 2015. Using the 28editions (four weeks) of the continuous week formula, newspapers were studied.
Data Analysis Table 1: Issues studied from the four selected newspapers
Week Editions Daily Sun 3 15,16,17,18,19,20,21 The Guardian 2 12,13,14,15,16.17.18 Vanguard 1 2,3,4,5,6,7,8, The Nation 3 16,17,18,19,20,21,22 Total 4 28
The instrument used in collating published had they been deemed data for this work is the code sheet. inconsequential.
The units of analysis for this study What is the frequency of coverage are straight news stories, features, given to the PDP and APC opinion articles, editorials and candidates in the selected dailies? letters-to-the-editor on the 2015 Table 2 below shows that a total of Presidential elections. 110 issues on the 2015 Presidential
It is important to note that the hard election were retrieved from the 28 editions of these newspapers were editions of the newspapers studied. investigated without prejudice to This shows that the media gave their online versions. They were adequate coverage to the issue, selected for the study because they although the highest report on the still attracted significant readership 2015 Presidential election was seen according to composite opinion of in February. This could be attributed the newspapers editors. One of the to the fact that INEC shifted the editors maintained that the hard elections from February to March. copy issues would not have been
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Table 2: The frequency of coverage of the selected newspapers on the 2015 Presidential elections
Frequency Percentage (%) Daily Sun 7 6.4 The Guardian 19 17.3 Vanguard 46 41.8 The Nation 38 34.5 Total 110 100 Table 3: Story genres employed by the newspapers in their reportage of the 2015 Presidential elections
Story Daily The Vanguard The Total Percentage Genres Sun Guardian Nation (%) Straight 3 6 28 30 67 60.9 News Features 0 8 11 2 21 19.1 Editorial 0 1 0 0 1 0.9 Opinion 4 4 7 6 21 19.1 article Letters- to-the- 0 0 0 0 0 0 Editor
Table 3 shows that most stories on tone for the opinion article and the 2015 Presidential candidates feature stories. were written using the straight news What kinds of frames were format (60.9%) with features and adopted by the four selected opinion articles having equal newspapers in their coverage of percentage (19.1%). Only one the two candidates? editorial from The Guardian A total of 245 frames were newspaper was recorded. This identified from the 110 articles shows that the media were basically assessed. The type of frames used reporting what happened on the are 14 namely: corruption (12.7%), campaign trail, the states these age (4.5%), history (17.9%), religion candidates visited and what people (3.7%), economy (11%), National were saying about them. This set the security (13.1%), ethnicity (7.8%), good governance (3.3%), bad
8 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 governance (3.3%), rule of law miscellaneous (12.2%). Table 4 (1.6%), education (4.1%), power below presents the numbers visibly. (2%), electoral violence (2.9%) and
Table 4: The type of frames used by the selected newspapers in their reportage of the 2015 Presidential elections
Frames Daily The Vanguard The Total Percentage Sun Guardian Nation (%) Corruption 3 6 10 12 31 12.7 Age 2 3 2 4 11 4.5 History 3 9 18 14 44 17.9 Religion 1 0 3 5 9 3.7 Economy 3 6 10 8 27 11.0 National 3 9 15 5 32 13.1 Security Ethnicity 1 2 9 7 19 7.8 Good 2 0 3 3 8 3.3 Governance Bad 0 1 4 3 8 3.3 Governance Rule of Law 0 2 2 0 4 1.6 Education 1 2 5 2 10 4.1 Power 0 2 1 2 5 2.0 Electoral 1 1 2 3 7 2.9 violence Miscellaneous 4 6 10 10 30 12.2
What is the dominant frame used and a former Chairman of a by the selected dailies? government body, his experience The chart below shows that the must be cited when reporting issues history frame was dominant, about him in the media. The followed closely by national national security frame came second security and then corruption. This because of the insecurity issues can be attributed to the fact that plaguing the country – the Boko since President Muhammadu Buhari Haram insurgency; abduction of the was a former military Head of State 219 Chibok school girls in Borno;
9 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 the spate of kidnapping and so on. Figure 1 illustrates the frames.
Fig. 1: The frames used by the selected dailies
20 18 16 14
12
10 The Sun 8
6 The Guardian
4 Vanguard
2 The Nation 0
Discussion of Findings shift sparked off a lot of comments The aim of this study was to and criticisms from citizens as it was investigate the themes/frames that alleged that the ruling party (PDP) dominated the media landscape was trying to buy more time as it during the 2015 presidential faced an impending loss. The elections. As earlier stated, there opinion article published in The were 14 candidates who contested Nation on March 17 was proof of the election but only two – Jonathan the criticisms. and Buhari - were popular. The The dominant story genre was the frequency of coverage given to these straight news story. This is because candidates can attest to this fact. A the media were keeping people total of 110 articles were harvested abreast of the activities of these from the 28 editions of four political parties. The issues often newspapers studied. This leads to raised in these straight news reports the conclusion that the issue was were then fully explained in feature frequently discussed in the media. reports. Young (2011) asserts that The peak of the reportage was seen because of the reporter‟s need to in February as the election was have a new story each day on the shifted from February to March. The campaign trail to compete for the
10 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 attention of viewers, campaign states that “…at 72 (his birthday was coverage often becomes less issue- just two days ago, congratulations to focused and more focused on „who‟s the peoples General), Buhari still ahead and who is behind‟ as a bears Nigeria and her weighty issues campaign progresses. A typical in his heart, and on his slender example of such coverage can be frame” (p. 57). Also the APC found in a feature article published chairman in Rivers State in the in The Nation on March 17: southern part of the country, Mr. After a review of an opinion Ikanya in a statement, said that “the poll on the chances of the two wicked acts against Rivers State and leading presidential candidates- its people, for reasons to be incumbent Dr. Goodluck explained by Jonathan and his Jonathan of the Peoples managers explain why we will do Democratic Party (PDP) and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the everything humanly possible to All Progressive Congress ensure that this man that has run (APC)-Eurasia Group-the aground our economy will never th world‟s largest political risk continue in office beyond May 29 , consultancy firm-has rated the 2015” (The Nation, March 18, 2015, challenger above the incumbent, p. 12). Another writer asserts that giving Gen. Buhari 60 per cent “Buhari has a perception problem. and Dr. Jonathan below 40 per May be it has to do with his eyesight cent … (De Pontet, 2015, p. 2- or something else. But the point has 3) to be made that if Buhari sees A total of 14 frame types were corruption, he won‟t even know. identified with the history frame Buhari‟s understanding of having the highest number of corruption is antiquated” (The occurrence, contrary to some belief Guardian, January 18th, 2015, p. that corruption was the most 60). important issue (Ekeanyanwu, 2015) One point to note here is that media at the time. Mchakulu (2011) ownership and political inclination contends that frames are deliberately were among the determinants of the created by political organizations or kind of themes that dominated their agents to be used publicly, reports on these candidates. The disseminated widely, and reported Nation is an outfit owned by a often by speakers that are clearly chieftain of the APC and thus its affiliated with one political party or reports would have to be favorable the other. A report published in The th to his party‟s cause. This is in line Sun newspaper of December 19 , with Mchakulu (2011) explanation 2014 and written by the media aide on frames. to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina,
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The issue of ethnicity and religion I know any parent except one with were evident in news reports as empathy, who would ignore the opinions about Buhari and his more than nine months-old Chibok history as a Fulani and then a abductions” (The Guardian, January Muslim were x-rayed. Ethnicity was 18th). the fifth most used frame in this The most dominant frame in this study while religion came seventh. study points to the fact that the This underscores the importance of media were more focused on religion and ethnicity in Nigeria, candidates‟ character rather than given its diverse ethnic and religious their manifestoes. This can be found nature. Even the choice of General in several articles published in the Buhari and his running mate (a sampled dailies as the person of Christian) were strategically crafted Buhari and Jonathan was more to appeal to the northern and espoused than their programs. While southern parts of the country. The Buhari talked about „change‟, following report is an evidence of without specific reference to what the accusation about ethnicity: this change would entail, Jonathan‟s Gen. Buhari was an active team preached „continuity and participant in the revenge coup th transformation‟ without clearly of July 29 , 1966. Rochas stating the policy issues that would Okorocha, Ogbonnaya Onu, Sam Nkire and other drive this. This finding is in line historically blind politicians of with Carstea‟s (2009) study that the Igbo extraction should media focused on secondary themes investigate his role in the that are rather related to the unexplained disappearance of candidates‟ moral conducts and dozens of Igbo officers and men characters than their political of the Nigerian army in programs. O‟gara echoed same in Abeokuta immediately after the his study when he found that the murder of Gen. J. T. U. Aguiyi- media continue to place greater Ironsi(Anele, Vanguard, importance on candidate‟s image February 8, 2015, p. 11) and viability than on policy issues. Northerners vote for Dr. Goodluck Every Nigerian knows that this Jonathan, a southerner from a is a disciplined man, every minority ethnic group was also an Nigerian knows that this is a issue pointed out by Ajeluorou man that is not corrupt, this is (2015, p. 60) when he opined that: “I the only Head of State in the do not know of any north-easterner history of Nigeria who has who would reward Dr. Jonathan for refused to receive even his own his abysmal and vexatious handling so called legitimate income of the Boko Haram menace. Nor do because of the conviction that
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that income has been so frames employed by the selected corruptibly and so undesirably dailies in their reportage of the 2015 that it is nothing but mere Presidential election of PDP and looting of the National treasury APC. The candidate of the PDP, (Olarinoye, 2015. Vanguard, Jonathan and the APC candidate, February 8, p. 52) Gen. Muhammadu Buhari were Here, the writer is trying to sell the popular and given more attention person of Buhari as an incorruptible than the other 12 contestants. Using man. There was no mention of his the continuous week formula, a policies but what Nigerians stand to week was studied for each of the gain by voting his person in as the months under study (December, president. 2014-March, 2015). The simple The frames used in reporting the random sampling technique adopted 2015 Presidential elections were resulted in the selection of a total of thematic as the feature and opinion 28 editions for investigation. The articles explored the issues raised by result of the inter-coder reliability the media in the coverage of the test was high at .78. candidates. The nature of the The issue of religion and ethnicity in candidates involved in the election is Nigeria cannot be pushed to the responsible for the dominance of background in Nigeria owing to the history frame as reporters tried to more than 250 competing ethnic compare Buhari‟s military rule in groups in the country with all kinds 1983 with his current disposition in of faith. Since the two presidential a democratic society. Writers gave candidates were from different their opinion of the candidates and regions and different religions, even went as far as analyzing the reports found in the newspapers gains and woes of choosing one appealed to peoples' religious and candidate over the other. ethnic leanings. The media gave adequate coverage Nevertheless, the media did a good of the 2015 presidential elections but job in reporting events surrounding the frames used were more about the candidates in the 2015 candidates than issues. The frames Presidential election but these focused mainly on the presidential reports were focused more on candidates, their abilities, individual capabilities and character achievements and personal than policies. The reports projected idiosyncrasies without recourse to the candidates' more than their their policies. manifestos. To this end, the Conclusion and Recommendations following recommendations should This study was carried out to assess be noted: the frequency of coverage and the
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- The media are the purveyors of - There were other candidates who information and the people look contested the elections but these up to them for their information candidates were not known due need as noted earlier. The public to the fact that they did not rely on the media to help them belong to the two major political make their electoral decisions. As parties. The media should be able such, the media should pay more to give adequate coverage to all attention to the manifestos of contenders especially in a these candidates to generate presidential election. discourse on issues rather on the - This work only assessed frames personality of the candidates. used in the reportage of the Professional reporters should PDP‟s and APC‟s presidential understand that they need to do candidates in the 2015 election. this to differentiate themselves Further studies can be done to from citizens or „emergency‟ ascertain the influence these journalists (Omojola, 2014, frames had on the people and if p.172) who lack an ethical they informed their choice of standard that guides their candidates during the 2015 practice. elections.
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Morah, N. D. & Omojola. O. (2013). elections: Issues and challenges Digital large screens as a for democratization and nation community medium: building. Being a Paper Interactivity and community presented at the Two-Day relevance in focus. In A. national conference in Abuja, Ojebode (ed.) Community organized by the Electoral media for development and Institute (TEI), Nigeria. participation: experiences, Retrieved from thoughts and forethoughts. www.inecnigeria.org/wp- Ibadan: John Archers, pp. 385- content/uploads/2015/07/confer 402. ence-paper-by-kehinde- Nisbet, M. C. & Newman, T. P. olayode.pdf. (2015). Framing, the media, Olowojolu, O. (2016). Role of the and environment media in 2015 Presidential communication. In A. Hansen election in Nigeria. & Cox, R. (eds). The Routledge International Journal of handbook of environment and Politics and Good communication. New York: Governance,7. Retrieved from Routledge. www.onlineresearchjournals.co Odiboh, O., Omojola, O., Ekanem, m/ijopagg/art/201.pdf. T. & Oresanya, T. (2017). Non- Onyebadi, U. & Oyedeji, T. (2011). Governmental Organizations in Newspaper coverage of post the Eyes of Newspapers in political election violence in Nigeria: 2013 – 2016 in Focus. Africa: An assessment of the Covenant Journal of Kenyan example. Media, War Communication, 4(1), 66-92. & Conflict, 4(3), 215-230. O‟gara, E. K. (2009). Framing of the Omojola, O. & Morah, N. (2014). 2008 Presidential election in Media content consumption print news. Graduate thesis and and influence on women‟s dissertation paper 10881. political visbility. In O. Retrieved from Omojola (ed). Women’s https://lib.driastate.edu/etd. political visibility and media Oksanen, K. (2011). Framing the access: The case of Nigeria. Democracy debate in Hong Newcastle upon Tyne: Kong. Journal of Cambridge Scholars Contemporary China, 20(70), Publishing. 479-497. Omojola, O. (2014). Ethical search Olayode, K. O. (2015). Ethno- in Africa and the potential of Regional cleavages and voting personal morals. In L. Oso, behavior in the 2015 General Olatunji, O. & Owens-Ibie, N.
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(eds). Journalism and media in models. Journal of Nigeria: Context, issues, Communication, 57(1), 9-20. practice. pp.167-180. Concord, Schuck, A. R. T., Vliegenthart, R., Ontario: Canada University Boomgaarden, H. G., Elenbaas, Press. M., Azrout, R., Spanje, J. V & Ritzer, G. & Goodman, D. J. (2003). DeVreese, C. H. (2013). Sociological Theory. Sixth Explaining campaign news Edition. New York: McGraw- coverage: Hoe medium, time Hill. and context explain variation in Sambe, J. A. (2015). Emerging the media framing of the 2009 development in political European Parliamentary communication in Nigeria. In elections. Journal of Political O. F. Ike & Udeze, S. E. (eds.). Marketing, 12(1), 8-28. Emerging trends in Gender, Uzoegbunam, C. E., Ekwenchi, O. Health & Political C., & Ugbo, O. G. (2015). Communication in Africa. Ethics in new media and Enugu, Nigeria. Rhyce Kerex. political communication: A pp. 113-144. critical analysis of text Samuel, K. (2015). Nigeria‟s 2015 messages used during an elections: Wobbly, but on academic election campaign in course. Vanguard, February, a Nigerian University. Journal 22. Retrieved from of Communication and Media www.vanguardngr.com/2015/0 Research, 7(1), 167-182. 2/nigerias-2015-elections- Young, D. G. (2011). Political wobbly-but-on-course/. entertainment and the Press‟ Sani, M. A. M. (2014). Malaysia's construction of Sarah Feylin. 13th General election: Political Popular Communication, 9(4), partisanship in the mainstream 251-265. print media. Asia Pacific Media Zurbrigger, E. L. & Sherman, A. M. Educator, 24(1), 61-75. (2010). Race and gender in the Scheufele, D. A. & Tewksbury, D. 2008 U.S. Presidential election: (2007). Framing, agenda A content analysis of editorial setting and priming: the cartoons. Analysis of Social evolution of three media effects Issues and Public Policy, 10(1), 223-247.
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Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017
An Open Access Journal, Available Online
Awareness and Perception of Media Campaign on E-waste effects among Residents of Ado Odo-Ota, Nigeria
Charity Ben-Enukora, Nelson Okorie (Ph.D), Toluwalope Oresanya & Thelma Ekanem
Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria. [email protected],
Abstract: Scholars‟ concern about environmental pollution and the attendant diverse health disorders have grown lately in Nigeria owing to the problem of electronic wastes. The challenge is compounded by citizens‟ insensitivity to the damage these wastes can unleash on lives. This paper investigates respondents‟ rate of awareness and knowledge, through the media, of e-wastes and how that rate affects attitude to the problem. Findings show that exposure to the media on the e-waste hazards was critically low. The broadcast media and the internet were identified as significant sources of information but residents were less frequently exposed to e-waste issues in the news. The awareness of health and environmental effects of e-wastes among the residents was also extremely low even as the menace was not perceived as a serious problem. The outgrowth of this was an unimpressive attitude toward resolving the problem. In addition to the traditional media and their online versions, it is recommended that interpersonal communication channels should be utilized to educate and persuade the citizens to adopt globally accepted standards for managing e-wastes.
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Keywords: e-waste, public health, environmental pollution, media campaign, perception
Introduction Some 20 to 50 million metric tons of Surge in information technology and e-wastes are generated annually, the proliferation of devices have which is five percent of all increased the generation of municipal solid wastes worldwide - electronic wastes (Christian, 2012). almost the same volume as plastic Public concern on the issue, packaging, “but it is much more especially among environmentalists, hazardous” (Greenpeace has remained visible as many waste International, 2016). Furthermore, materials are toxic and not StEP initiative has predicted 33% biodegradable. These wastes contain increase in the global e-waste lead, mercury, arsenic, phosphorus, generation by 2017 (Lewis 2013). cadmium and selenium, just to Regrettably, Nigeria has been mention a few (Widmera, Oswald- ranked among the highest generator Krapf, Sinha-Khetriwal, of e-wastes with “about 1.1 million Schnellmannc & Boni, 2005). The tons of e-waste generated annually, lethal substances that e-wastes far more than the combined volume produce could lead to health generated by most other countries in disorders, including kidney damage, the ECOWAS region” (Basel liver damage, respiratory failures, Monthly Waste News, 2014; Obaje damage to the brain and nervous 2013). systems (Osibanjo & Nnorom, 2007; Nnorom (2009) speculates that the Adeola, 2012; Iyatse, 2016). lack of awareness of the e-waste Research has also linked the rate of hazards and danger associated with toxic compounds in e-waste to improper disposal techniques are the cancer, foetus developmental defects major hindrances toward eliminating and other health problems from the e-waste problem. Similarly, samples of breast milk, placenta and Sivathanu (2016) warns that hair (Needhidasan, Samuel & awareness of the toxic effects on Chidambaram, 2014). Improper human health, awareness of disposal of e-wastes burning environmental hazards, awareness of constitutes an immeasurable danger proper disposal of e-waste, to the ecosystem as these actions awareness of e-waste management could lead to diverse environmental by stakeholders and awareness of problems such as groundwater convenience of recycling were the contamination, atmospheric five significant factors that influence pollution and soil leaching (Terad, consumer‟s preference toward 2012). proper e-waste disposal and
19 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 management. Ignorance about the 3. To determine the extent to which dangers of e-waste to human health the residents of Ado-Ota are is no doubt a fundamental factor exposed to media campaigns on militating against its proper disposal e-waste effects. and management. Thus, adequate 4. To find out the residents‟ awareness of the health and perception of the e-waste effects environmental effects of e-waste can on public health and the stimulate individual perception of environment. the problem and the eventual 5. To determine the extent to which reaction to the issue. awareness of the health and
In the bid to create public environmental risks associated consciousness about e-wastes, the with e-waste influence residents‟ mass media both local and current behavior toward e-wastes. international have carried out E-Waste’s Health and diverse news reports that have been Environmental Effects investigated by scholars. However, E-waste as defined by Puckett, systematic investigation on the Byster, Westervelt, Gutierrez, Davis, extent of public exposure to media Hussain, and Dutta (2002, p. 5) is content on e-waste effects as well as waste from a broad and growing the awareness/knowledge of health range of electronic devices “from and environmental implications of large household devices such as stacking e-waste in homes, offices refrigerators, air conditioners, cell and business premises, and phones, personal stereos, and indecorous disposal practices in consumer electronics to computers Nigeria have not been ascertained. which have been discarded by their This drawback informed this study. users.” E-waste has been
Objectives of the Study categorized into three namely; the To bridge this gap in the e-waste large household Appliances literature, this study sought to (refrigerator, air conditioner, accomplish the following objectives; washing machine, etc), ICT 1. To discover the residents‟ appliances (computer and knowledge/awareness of e-waste accessories, cell phones, etc), and effects. consumer equipment consisting of 2. To ascertain the media through television, DVD players, mp3 which the residents of Ado-Ota players, video cameras and others obtain information on the health (Violet, 2008).
and environmental effects of e- E-waste has become a serious social waste. problem; an environmental and health threat to many nations of the
20 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 world, especially the developing pollution, disruption in the supply of countries as they constantly depend groundwater, degradation of soil on imported used-electronics which nutrients and environment-to-food- are cheaper than brand new ones chain contamination are conditions (Puckett and Fogel, 2005). Little that have been linked to the unsafe wonder, Olukoya (2008) once asked handling of e-wastes (Lundgren, rhetorically: “if the western 2012). Informal recycling practices countries with their technological by scavengers also magnify the sophistication and organized waste health and environmental risks as management still encounter the toxic chemicals are emitted into challenges of controlling the e-waste the atmosphere in the process. stream, what then would be the fate Research has also shown that of developing countries like residents of major recycling cities Nigeria?” around the world exhibit various Toxic elements in e-waste could health conditions caused by the toxic have adverse effects on human components of the e-waste stream health and the environment if not (Grant, Goldizen, Sly, Brune, Neira, handled properly. Studies have Van den Berg & Norman, 2013; established that direct contact with Awasthi, Zeng & Li, 2016). To harmful e-waste components such as reduce the environmental effects of lead, cadmium, chromium, and e-wastes, Needhidasan, et al, (2014) mercury causes damage to the recommended that adequate central and peripheral nervous infrastructure for e-waste collection systems, genitourinary system and and recycling could reduce DNA. It also causes seizures, greenhouse gas emissions. A retardation, high blood pressure, medical expert (Iyatse, 2016) argues inflammation and oxidative stress. that the challenges associated with Repeated exposures to e-waste toxic e-wastes are not different from those elements could cause severe of radiation, which could emanate damages to the kidney, liver, and from other sources other than e- lungs. Furthermore, irregular wastes, adding that reduction of all heartbeats, cancer and damage to forms of human exposure to fetuses are traceable to these toxic radiation should be the utmost wastes. (Violet, 2008, Needhidasan, concern. et al., 2014; Recycling for Charities, Theoretical Framework nd) This paper is anchored on the E-wastes do not only endanger the perception theory. While awareness human health. They are also is the capability to be familiar with environmental hazards. Atmospheric or be cognizant of an issue or a state
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Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 of consciousness, perception refers visible if the message is not relevant to the process of individual‟s to the individual‟s predispositions. reception, selection, organization Perception of an issue affects the and interpretation of information to judgment and reactions of an deduce meaning. The outcome of individual toward it (Idiegbeyan- this individualistic sensory ose, Nkiko & Osinulu, 2016). The evaluation is manifested in diverse implication is that public knowledge interpretations given to the same of and reactions to e-wastes could message, depending on personality influence its control. Education variables such as personal beliefs, influences perception. Babu, past experiences, social relations, Parande & Basha (2007) note that cultural expectations and one of the most effective ways of psychological dispositions. dealing with the e-wastes stream is The selective process is, therefore, at to educate citizens. the core of the perception theory. Method and Materials Individuals, as a matter of The study adopted the survey preference, selectively go for the approach. The study population medium and content that offer them consisted of adults residents in Ado- gratification. They selectively pay Odo-Ota Local Government Area, attention to certain issues that the commercial hub of Ogun State reinforce their existing beliefs or of Nigeria. The population of the attitudes while excluding others. study area stands at 527,242 with a Individuals are exposed to a myriad projection of 621,830 by 2011, of media messages and interpersonal estimated at 3.36% per annum communication but they tend to according to the National Population perceive or decode these messages Commission Census figures (2006). in accordance with their past The local government also has a experiences, current disposition, and total of 133,398 households as at needs (Okenwa, 2002). The e-waste 2006. It has a dynamic integration of menace is one of such messages. commercial, industrial and rural Public awareness of the health and locale occupied by residents who are environmental effects of e-waste, predominantly Nigerians. The area therefore, depends on how exposed is well known for manufacturing, the individual is to the media public and private business ventures, contents on the issue. The individual open markets, business complexes, needs to pay attention in order to commercial banks, healthcare gain adequate knowledge in this facilities, secondary and tertiary regard but attention may not be institutions as well as training institutes. The implication of this is
22 2 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 generation of high quantity of e- was based on age (18 years and waste. above), ownership of household
The study adopted the multistage electronics and the willingness to sampling procedures. The local respond to the instrument. All the government consists of 16 900 copies of the questionnaire communities which were grouped administered were properly filled into rural, commercial and industrial and found useable, yielding 100% areas to give a true representation of response as a result of the stay and the population. Sango-Ota, Agbara, collect approach adopted in the and Atan were purposively selected administration of the instrument. By to represent the commercial, this approach, research assistants industrial and the rural segments always waited to ensure that each respectively. Their visibility respondent return the questionnaire attested to their selection. A total of after completing it.
300 respondents each were Results purposively chosen from the A. Are Residents‟ Of Ado-Odo-Ota selected areas totaling 900 Aware of E-Waste Effects? respondents that participated in the study. The eligibility of respondents
Table 1: Awareness of health and environmental effects of e-waste
Awareness of health and Total environmental effects of e-waste Aware Not aware Undecided
Agbara 71 145 84 300 Area Atan-Ota 56 169 75 300 Sango-ota 90 150 60 300 Total 217 464 219 N=900
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Figure 1: Awareness of Health and Environmental effects of e-waste
B. What is the medium/media through which the residents of Ado-Ota obtain information on the health and environmental effects of e-waste?
Figure 2: Sources of Information on health environmental effects of e-waste
C. To what extent is the residents of Ado-Ota exposed to media campaigns on e-waste effects?
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Figure 3: Frequency of exposure to media contents on e-waste effects
D. What is the residents‟ perception of the e-waste effects on public health and the environment?
Figure 4: Perception of e-waste hazards
E. To what extent to which awareness of the health and environmental risks associated with e-waste influence residents‟ current behavior toward the e- waste stream?
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Table 2: Awareness of health and environmental effects of e-waste
Current possession Total of e-waste in homes, office or business premises Yes No Awareness of Aware 150 67 217 health and Not aware 332 132 464 environmental effects of e-waste Undecided 147 72 219 Total 629 271 N=900
Figure 5: Current e-waste disposal methods
Discussion of Findings awareness of e-waste effects carried The results of this study show that out in the southeast of Nigeria public awareness on health and (Okoye & Odoh, 2014; Ubachukwu, environmental implications of e- Phil-Eze & Emeribe, 2014). This waste was critically low. This implies that the health of Nigerians outcome is in line with studies on and the environment could be
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Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 adversely affected by the e-waste contents on e-waste. The salience hazards since the majority of the conferred on an issue could citizens were not even aware of the transpose it into an item on the risks associated with it. public agenda and elicit the
The findings also show that the subsequent actions taken by the broadcast media and the internet public on it (as supported by earlier were significant sources of citations). The mass media focus on information on the e-waste menace. the e-waste menace, which was This finding also supports previous missing as results of this study have studies on the significance of the shown, could expand the audiences‟ broadcast media in publicizing scope of knowledge and the health and environmental issues perception of e-waste implications. (Ugboma, 2002; McCarthy & Development messages that Brennan, 2009 cited in Babalola, demonstrate the severity of health as Babalola & Okhale, 2010). The role well as environmental implications of the broadcast media in this aspect and the benefits of taking desired emanates from its coverage of a actions, sustained for a long time, wide geographical area and has got could enhance knowledge and risk nothing to do with better perception, and induce expected performance in terms of actions. Unimpressively, however, professionalism, ethics – global or respondents did not have access to self – (Omojola, 2008; 2014) such messages. sophistication and so forth. This Another significant finding of this outcome reaffirms the tenets of study is that many residents did not selective exposure and attention perceive the e-waste issue as a life- spelt out in the perception theory. threatening health and Residents selectively exposed environmental problem. The themselves and paid attention to implication of this finding is the these platforms and contents from continued indulgence in unhealthy which they obtained the information the e-waste practices which triggers about the dangers of e-wastes to more harm to human health and the human health and the ecosystem. environment than before. This Therefore, these platforms could be finding reinforces the study which widely utilised in sensitising the concluded that “there is a gap residents about the risks associated between the extent to which people with stockpiling e-wastes in homes, are aware of the environmental offices and business premises. conditions and the pro-
According to Figure 3, respondents environmental behaviors they were not often exposed to media display” (Kollmuss & Agyeman,
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2002; Wood, Tam, & Guerrero-Witt, was extremely low. The broadcast 2005 cited in Pelletier & Sharp, media and the internet were 2008, p. 210). It also supports identified as significant sources of Ideho‟s (2012) statement that the information about the e-waste evidence of health hazards problem. However, the frequency of associated with e-wastes did not the residents‟ access to media discourage the stakeholders in contents on e-waste was critically informal recycling to stop the trade. low, implying that the mass media Though economic gain was cited as have not been effectively utilized to their motivating factor. build public agenda concerning the
The finding also confirms the dangers of stockpiling e-wastes in observations made earlier about the homes and offices. The few amongst large volume of obsolete electronics the residents who are exposed to temporarily stored for later disposal media campaigns did not perceive e- as “consumers now rarely take wastes as a critical problem broken electronics to a repair shop affecting the community. Hence, as replacement is now often easier they were not influenced to change and cheaper than repair” (Puckett et their existing behaviors toward the al, 2002; Puckett & Fogel, 2005). problem. Therefore, the following The continuous acquisition of more are recommended: and more ICT gadgets and electronic 1. Public awareness and education appliances for status symbol has on e-waste control through the become a tradition that exacerbates mass media should be the stockpile of obsolete electronic intensified so as to sensitize the and electrical items in homes and public on the importance of offices. Lack of awareness about e- adopting globally accepted waste recycling and other globally standards for eliminating the e- advocated methods of e-waste waste menace. control as well as non-availability of 2. Interpersonal communication e-waste recycling facilities within channels such as opinion the community could be leaders, environmentalists, contributing factors for the health officials, religious continuous indulgence in uncultured institutions, group meetings, e-waste activities. provincial administrators and
Conclusion and Recommended development agencies should be This study has established that utilized to stimulate public public awareness of the health and consciousness and participation environmental effects of e-waste for effective e-waste control. among residents of Ado-Odo-Ota
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3. Interactive approaches such as 5. The Ogun State Environmental phone-in programs and social Protection Agency (OGEPA) debate initiatives should be should develop and implement fused into the broadcast media effective e-waste management time slot where environmental facilities in partnership with issues such as the e-waste development agencies, NGOs menace are discussed. This (Odiboh et al., 2017) and other would enable people to interested bodies while contribute or clarify issues that educating the residents on the may affect their perception and need to patronize the facilities to reactions to the problem. rid the environment of 4. One of the ways government hazardous substances from e- and other stakeholders can wastes.
increase awareness is by making Acknowledgement: This study was use of billboards and digital sponsored by the Covenant street signs (Morah & Omojola, University Centre for Research 2013) located in strategic points Innovation and Discovery to create awareness on the e- (CUCRID), Ota, Nigeria. waste menace.
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Applied Environmental Ubachukwu, N. N., Phil-Eze, O. O. Science, 11 (2), 413-423. & Emeribe, C. N. (2014). Swati, K., Suneel, P. & Sumit, S. Analysis of household (2014). Understanding public hazardous wastes awareness knowledge and awareness on e- level in Enugu metropolis. waste in an urban setting in Academic journal of India: A case study for Delhi. interdisciplinary studies; 3 (1), Management of Environmental 1-10. Quality, 25(6), 752-765. Violet, N. P. (2008). E-waste Terad, C. (2012). Recycling hazards: The impending electronic wastes in Nigeria: challenge. Indian Journal of Putting environmental and Occupational and human rights at risk. Environmental Medicine, Northwestern Journal of 12(2), 65–70. International Human Rights, 10 Widmera, R., Oswald-Krapf, H., (3), 153-172. Sinha-Khetriwal, D., Tyagi, N., Naseem, Y. & Atif, M. Schnellmannc, M. & Boni, H. (2013). A study of public (2005). Global perspectives on awareness about e – waste. e-waste. Environmental Impact Research Journal of Social Assessment Review, 25, 436- Sciences and Management, 458. 3(8), 185-194.
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Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017
An Open Access Journal, Available Online
Exploring the Awareness-Perception Profile of Operation Green Lagos Campaign in Lagos, Nigeria
Oludare E. Ogunyombo & Dele Odunlami (Ph.D)
Department of Mass Communication Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Nigeria [email protected]
Abstract: The government of one of Nigeria‟s most prominent political subdivisions - Lagos State – initiated the Operation Green Lagos campaign recently, as part of efforts to address the climate change aspect of its environmental challenges. Communication strategies were put in place to drive the project. This study starts a debate on the campaign by assessing the profile of awareness and perception of the target audience, as this profile is crucial to its success. A total of 385 Lagos State residents responded to questionnaire items, complemented by an interview with the relevant government official. Findings show that the campaign recorded a high level of awareness (89.6%) through the instrumentality of the broadcast media while 83% viewed the project as an act of social responsibility to improve the quality of life. In spite of these impressive outcomes, respondents noticed an inconsistency in the strategies, which slowed their response to government‟s environmental activities. This informed the recommendation that
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officials of the state‟s Ministry of the Environment should do more to sustain citizens‟ positive attitude. Keywords: Environmental communication, Diffusion of innovation; Operation Green Lagos, Awareness, Perception, Transformation.
Introduction conference. The preamble to Agenda Water, land and air pollution is 21 states that; getting worse by the day, with The integration of environment serious detrimental effects on many and development concerns will carefree, slow-responding countries, create greater attention and lead including Nigeria. (Aluko, 2004). to the fulfillment of basic needs, Man‟s physical environment is improved living standards for all, better protection and endangered. Besides the increasing managed eco-systems and a cases of pandemics such as Lyme safer more prosperous future in diseases, SARS and HIV/AIDS the context of a global ravaging humanity, the world is partnership for sustainable faced with serious environmental development. (Keghku 2006, challenges, including the continued p.50) depletion of the ozone layer, which Unfortunately, today, environmental now makes global temperature problems have reached the roof. The intolerable for mankind. It is degradation of the Nigeria obvious the earth is sick (Nwodu, environment has contributed in no 2007). small measures to the exacerbation
In Europe and United States of of drought, acute water scarcity, low America, the environmental - agriculture productivity, rural conditions that existed during the poverty and the proliferation of 18th and 19th centuries were poor – diseases associated with extreme a reason why the missionaries of temperatures and poor environment that period preached the „doctrine of conditions. The world is witnessing cleanliness‟ (Nsude, 2007). Since systematic and steady degradation the earth summit in Rio De Janerio, with the attendant growing inability Brazil in June 1992, interest in to support life (Anyaoku, 2004), global environmental change has thereby making environmental protection imperative. been on the increase. The growing interest is an upshot of the fact that Environmental protection is the environmental health is crucial to method of organizing and stabilizing development as enunciated in the the environment to make it United Nations Agenda 21, which conducive for human habitation. In represents the hallmark of the Rio order to protect the environment, various authorities and individuals
34 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 have warned against continued education could be successfully degradation. More individuals and resolved (Nwabueze, 2007). organization than ever before are The Lagos State government in interested in seeing the environment recent time has reinforced its cleaned up. Governments have commitment to environmental established departments for the protection for a healthy environment. Technology now environment. Through the Ministry exists more than ever before to help of the Environment, it has deal with the problems though the established agencies to handle the implementation of many programs different aspects of environmental has been faulty. Many governments issues in the state. Agencies like the do agree on how to tackle Lagos State Environmental environmental issues but find it Protection Agency (LASEPA), difficult to enforce the agreement. Lagos State Waste Management The same problems confront both Authority (LAWMA) and Lagos individuals and organizations State Advertising Agency (LASAA) (Nsude, 2007). have been very prominent in
In Nigeria, there has been a growing addressing environmental challenges concern for environmental in the state saddled with enhancing protection in recent times. This and protecting the aesthetics of the could be hinged on the rapid metropolis. The step taken by the increase in the nation‟s population Lagos state government is consistent and industrialization with the with the observation of Oso (2006) attendant impact on the environment that for an emerging mega city like and public health. The need to Lagos, environmental manage the environment elicited the communication is very essential. establishment of the Federal Oso noted the development in socio- Environmental Protection Agency economic activities within the state (FEPA) and the State Environmental present social challenges in urban Protection Agency (SEPA). These governance as established in some agencies organize re-orientation other mega cities across the world. programmes at federal and state Such challenges include levels in a bid to make people adopt overstretched and decaying environmentally friendly infrastructure, widespread poverty, innovations, create awareness and unemployment, high level of change their attitude. This raises the insecurity, high immigration rate, question of how the issues regarding emergence of slums and environmental protection and environmental deterioration.
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To harmonize its objectives of a diverse forms of interpersonal, cleaner Lagos, the Lagos state group, public, organizational, and government introduced an mediated communication that make aggressive program tagged up the social debate about “Operation Green Lagos” (OGL) to environmental issues and problems, achieve its environmental and our relationship to the rest of transformation agenda. The vision is nature. As with communication in to create a new, modern Lagos State. general, environmental All over the state, the aggressive communication serves two broad beautification and redevelopment of social functions. The first is that we available open spaces stand out use communication to do things. For prominently. The reclamation of example, we communicate in order these open spaces from garbage, to inform, persuade, educate, and illegal structures and miscreants alert others. Similarly, we use who used them to unleash terror on communication to organize, argue, innocent citizens and make the state reconcile, and negotiate with each look like slum has received other, among other things. In this accolades both at home and abroad way, environmental communication (Banire, 2009). The Lagos State is a practical, and indeed essential, government uses communication tool for action. campaigns to endear and explain the In Nigeria, developmental programs, objectives of its programs, including geared toward the self-sustenance OGL, to Lagos residents. Some and enrichment of the populace, related programs that have been have failed in many instances. launched include the Climate Operation Feed the Nation (1977- Change Club in public schools, the 79), the Green Revolution (1979-83) yearly commemoration of the World and War Against Indiscipline (1984- Environment Day, the one-man, 85) are programs that did not last one-tree initiative, Lagos State beyond the tenure of their initiators. Government Housing Estate Award One factor noticed in the failure of and so forth. This study explores the these programs is the poor profile of awareness and perception communication strategies adopted to of the OGL campaign among Lagos drive them. An observer has noticed State residents. that the communication not used
Statement of the Problem systematically or strategically to According to Meisner (2015), drive a campaign in developing environmental communication is economies like that of Nigeria can communication about environmental lead to challenges of misperception, affairs. This includes all of the maladaptation and lack of
36 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 acceptance on the part of the Rogers (1983, p.34) defines audience (Okiyi, 2007). Thus, this diffusion as “the process by which study investigates the profile of an innovation is communicated awareness and perception of the through certain channels over time OGL campaign among the residents among the members of a social of Lagos State of Nigeria. system” and innovation as an object,
Research Objectives idea or practice perceived as new or In view of the aforementioned, the novel by an individual or other unit objectives set out in this study are: of adoption. Young (2009), while 1. To ascertain the level of studying the theory noticed the time awareness about the Operation lag between an innovation‟s first Green Lagos programme appearance and its general among Lagos residents. acceptance by a population. Among 2. To examine the communication the factors suggested were delays in channels and strategies used by acting on information, a desire to the Lagos state government for conform, learn from others, and the Operation Green Lagos changes in external factors. Young programme. also reasoned that people might 3. To examine the perception of realize different benefits and costs residents about the Operation from the innovation or they might Green Lagos programme. hear about it at different times, have Significance of the study different amounts of information, This study will provide insight into different predispositions to conform the sentiments and adaptability of and so forth. the populace to development Rogers (1983) identifies the key programs. Besides serving as an elements that may be considered in addition to existing literature, this the process of diffusion of study is also significant in innovations. They are: identifying communication channels • innovation- an idea, practice, or and strategies that are crucial to object that is perceived as new by environmental communication. an individual or other unit of
Theoretical Framework adoption; The diffusion of innovation theory, • communication channels- the as a development communication means by which messages get theory, provides the support for this from one individual to another; study. As popularized by Everett • time- The innovation-decision Rogers, it is a theory of how, why, period is the length of time and at what rate new ideas and required to pass through the technology spread through cultures. innovation-decision process
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while the rate of adoption is the the fashioning of innovations to suit relative speed with which an the media and satisfy needs (Obi innovation is adopted by cited in Nwodu, 2006)
members of a social system; and This theory is relevant to this study • social system- a set of interrelated because the Operation Green Lagos units that are engaged in joint programme is an innovation, which problem solving to accomplish a has been necessitated by natural and common goal. human factors. Because of the
According to Rogers, diffusion of an peculiar nature of humans to innovation occurs through a five- sometime resist change particularly step process. This process deals with when such change requires some decision making that is influenced sacrifices, this theory provides through series of communication insight on factors that may influence channels over a period among the the process of adoption such as members of a similar social system. reflected in the perception of Lagos These five stages are: knowledge, residents about the OGL program. persuasion, decision, However, the scholarly reviews of implementation, and confirmation. the assumptions of the diffusion of As a development theory, Nwodu innovation theory also provide (2006) agrees that: change agents with hindsight that Innovation and diffusion would may help in their approaches to mean strategic exposure of strategically communicate change targets to new idea, environmental issues and how object or practice (that is targets respond to innovations such innovation) in a manner that as the Operation Green Lagos they will pay attention to programme. understand, internalize and adopt the new idea, object or Relevant Literature practice (which is diffusion) for Conceptual Overview on their own benefit. (p.102) Environmental Communication Thus, change agents concerned with An environment consists of all engineering innovation diffusion, living and non-living things in our must as a matter of necessity, midst-solid, liquid and gaseous understand the socio-cultural milieu element that we can see, touch, in which change targets live and smell and feel. Most of these things borrow extensively from such socio- are essential for our day-to-day cultural milieu in other to be existence and are referred to as productive. Information on the environmental resources. The media usage patterns of the environment, like culture, knows no prospective adopters will facilitate bound and encompasses air, water
38 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 and land. It therefore follows that environmental communication can environmental consciousness ought drum up support or champion to be everybody‟s contribution to the advocacy for the enthronement of an preservation of mother earth environment that is friendly to (Keghku, 2006). The concept of man‟s existence on earth. It must be environmental communication noted that environmental simply means communication communication is the planned and (interpersonal and or mass strategic use of communication communication) efforts geared process and media products to towards environmental affairs. It is a support effective policy making, conscious communicative effort to public participation and project bring people to the full knowledge implementation geared towards of environmental problems around environmental sustainability. It is a them; encourage them to desist from two-way social interaction process actions that are harmful to the enabling the people concerned to environment; and sensitize them to understand key environmental show greater commitment to factors and their interdependencies activities aimed at safeguarding the and to respond to problems in a environment. (Nwodu, 2007) competent way. Environmental
Environmental communication is an communication aims not so much at information effort by either the information dissemination but at a government or other bodies on the shared vision of sustainable future one hand or the mass media on the and at capacity building in social other to enlighten the audience on groups to solve or prevent how best to live and make the most environmental problems. It out of nature (Agba, as cited in transforms the power generated by Nwodu, 2007). Among the areas of project managers and the people focus for environmental concerned into action. It provides communication are environmental the missing link between the subject advocacy and education campaigns, matter of environmental issues and media role in environmental affairs, the related socio-political processes public relations around of policymaking and public environmental issues and green participation (OECD, 1999). marketing, which is the advertising A long-standing convention in of environmental-friendly products environmental correspondence has (Meisner as cited in Nwodu, 2007). been to furnish lay people with the
According to the Organization for data to trigger genuine ecological Economic Cooperation and concern and conduct. Many studies Development (OECD), do exhibit the deficiency of simple
39 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 instructive correspondence people‟s perception is influenced procedures but a base measure of by emotions and socialization as information about the earth and well as by reason and knowledge. natural issues might be a critical pre- • Inflated expectations that the requisite to manage ecological „cognitive power‟ of the world and issues and gain more advocates for a the image alone will solve a given sustainable environment. For problem. By taking a shortcut instance, activity based learning – or from „said to done‟, knowing particularly what one can communication barriers are often do about environmental issues – is a disregarded. vital to good ecological conduct. • Conflicts of interest, which are Activity related learning, which fought by stakeholders, not alludes to behavioral alternatives negotiated by shareholders. and conceivable strategies, might be Confrontational approach leads to a more grounded determinant of pro- one-way information ecological conduct than learning dissemination, disregarding about the causes and ramifications understanding instead of relying of environmental issues. Social on two-way communication information, or the learning about towards shared meaning and win- the thought processes, expectations win situations. In addition, and practices of others toward the practical limitations arising from earth, is likewise frequently urgent absence of communication for pro-environmental activities strategy lead to shortcomings. For (Jarreau, 2015). example:
Issues in Environmental a) A systematic and holistic Communications communication strategy that Environmental communications takes into account people‟s have been challenged in recent past, perceptions and saves fund thus limiting their level of success. is rarely considered but it Reasons for this limited success may could determine the success include basic constrains resulting or failure of a project. from the way people think or b) Communication activities behave. Some of the identified are often conducted on an reasons are: ad-hoc and sporadic basis • Assumption on the part of mainly using top-down mass environmentalists that scientific media while neglecting facts of ecological concerns are public participation in convincing and compelling on community media their own. However, what affect c) Many decision makers do not know how to
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incorporate a beneficiaries are supposed to communication strategy in translate it into communication and their environmental project action. Change agents must life cycles and hence are not demonstrate adequate understanding willing to invest in this. of the complexities of the (OECD 1999, p. 6) environmental issues; the target In view of these limitations, change audiences‟ comprehension gap; agents must note that personal (traditional beliefs and communication will play a crucial socio-cultural norms) impacts; risk role throughout the policy and elements; and the possibility of large programme life cycle recognizing, scale interactions (OECD, 1999). gaining control over, solving and To address the challenges of maintaining control over an environmental communication and environmental problem. It is vital enforcement in Nigeria, there must that policy makers or planners be a strategic communication plan realize that different actors are that is pragmatic and deliberate. involved at each stage and that each Initiators of developmental projects actor has different perceptions, such as the Operation Green Lagos interest and hidden agendas. programme must understand that Understanding where project is in its appropriate population segmentation progression from identification, with appropriate media equals formulations, implementation and successful environmental management is an essential basis for communication campaign. determining which communication Moemeka (as cited in Aliede, 2006) instruments should be used to agreed that environmental eradicate misconceptions. communication makes efficient use
Many planners tend to think that of methods, instruments and producing posters and video films or techniques, which are well launching a mass media campaign is established in development a solution to problems rooted in communication, adult education, environmentally unsustainable social marketing, agricultural practices. However, isolated extension, public relations, non- products of this type (environmental formal training etc. Moemeka communication) only have a chance underscored the need for an efficient of success if they are integrated into method stating that: a comprehensive communication Effective communication can strategy which defines up-front for hardly occur unless there is an what purpose and for whom understanding between the information is meant and how communicator and the target audience, a basic for mutual
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understanding arising from communication. He posits that there identical socio-cultural should be focused and sustainable background or knowledge and environmental development opinion about the society, thus programme supported by articulate, providing conditions for critical and perceptive media. For identical meanings in content, context and intention. This is such articulation, there should be an so whether communication is interface between indigenous directed towards development channels of communication and within the urban area or to modern mass media in order that the development within the rural problems may be adequately area. (p.59) addressed. This process is what In effect, failure to go through those Innocent (2016) refers to as media fundamental procedures (of education and interpretation. identifying and choosing the right Innocent (2016) notes that it is not media) in some instances has led to enough to wish that individuals unsuccessful outcomes and wastage adopt new ways of doing things of resources in developmental without been educated properly on campaigns. Such ad-hoc approach the need for adopting the new negates the crucial inputs of the innovation which may include the beneficiaries and their reactions to benefits and the advantages over the the impact the program would have old ideas. There is also the need for on them (Aliede, 2006). To mitigate education on the procedures for such unproductive venture into adopting the innovation. development programmes, Uwakwe Empirical Review in (2016) recommends developing Environmental Communication participatory communication Scholars have attempted to study strategies that takes care of media and examine approaches, successes specific concerns of the target and challenges of environmental audience. Such participatory communication. In a cross- communication approaches will respondents study among adequately consider the type of environmental psychologists, media, levels of media, nature of environmental communicators and media, institutional characteristics of residents of a coastal town in media, the economics of the media Louisiana (United States), Jarreau and the participatory and (2015) discovered that empowerment potentials of the environmental psychologists media before adoption. emphasized communication from a In addition, Wilson (2006) local angle and took into account the advocates an interface between the readers concerns and motivations indigenous and modern media of
42 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 and value messaging to appeal to disposal activities. He explained specific cultural and pro- why Enugu residents continued to environmental values. Both dump refuse in unauthorized places, psychologists and communicators in set the refuse heaps and dumpsters the study emphasized knowing the on fire, refuse to put their thrash in audience, telling local stories, bags, and generally resist any building relationships with target attempt to get them pay for audiences and targeted messaging; environmental sanitation fees. These including source credibility, also include those who claim no avoiding controversial terms and relationship whatsoever. The talking about issues, impacts and respondents claimed the solutions that the target audience can communication strategy was non- relate to. Unfortunately, the study participatory, unsustainable and not found that the development agents consistent. The study recommended who acknowledged the effectiveness that ESWAMA should reverse the of these strategies failed to adopt trend and make its communication them on a large scale in their strategies more participatory. programs. It recommended that To assess the issues of approaches in specific strategies, which would environmental communication, include action knowledge, value- Ayedun-Aluma (2007) in his based messaging and social norms, exploration of the structure, were essential for environmental channels and activities of the Lagos communicators who aim to initiate State government in environmental changed behaviour among their communication discovered that the target audience. State adopted inter-organizational
Findings from Ojobor‟s (2016) communication networking using study on the role of communication both formal and informal structures in waste disposal system as adopted and activities. They included the by the Enugu State Waste National Council on the Management Agency (ESWAMA) Environment; the Annual National also indicated the same problem in Conference on the Environment; the the adoption of communication Advisory Committee on the action knowledge and the use of Environment; the weekly State of social normative messages. A total the Environment Meeting; and the 81% of respondents were of the Stakeholders Forum. Others were: view that an insignificant the Lagos State Environment NGOs relationship existed between Network; the State of the ESWAMA‟s media strategy and the Environment meeting by LAWMA, people‟s involvement in waste the annual Inter Cohorts Assembly
43 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 of LEAD Nigeria conveyed by environmental planning and decision Foundation for Environmental making by tribal governments in Development and Education in Citizen Potawatomi Nation, found Nigeria (FEDEN). It also included that individual participation was the monthly meeting of satisfactory to participants, but that environmental NGOs in Lagos participation at the local, state, and conveyed by the Community federal level was not.
Conservation and Development Moore (2008) examined the Initiative; and the Lagos state relationship between religion and Association of Private Sector environmental communication in the Participation (PSP) Operators in United States of America. The study waste collection (and management). assessed the ways in which
Ayedun-Aluma (2007) also information provided by religious discovered that the channels used by sources such as church leaders, the organizations had four categories intersects with information from namely: mainstream secular media and the (1) Face-to-face channels, which impact this has on evangelicals‟ comprise meetings, workshops, perceptions of environmental issues. seminars and public reviews Using a multi-methodological (2) Mediated interpersonal channels approach, including media diaries which comprise the telephone, from a National Science Foundation letters, e-mail and reports study, focus groups and observations (3) Print mass media, which in evangelical churches to establish comprise posters, pamphlets, the interconnections, the study leaflets, newsletters, journals, indicated that there are several magazines, newspaper factors that shape the way advertisements and books and evangelicals think about the (4) Electronic mass media, which environment. These factors include comprise television political affiliation, beliefs about advertisements and websites. media bias, commercialism, and Experts have also studied religious conviction. He concluded approaches to participatory that the American evangelicals are environmental communication as important to study for several identified by Ayedun-Aluma (2007). reasons, including that they are an Using an evaluation metric based on increasingly influential group in western concepts of participation, U.S. society and thus are an integral particularly access, standing, and part of the changing face of U.S. influence Schmidt (2008) in his politics. study on public participation in
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In an earlier study, Ogwezzy (2006) antecedents of such communication, asserted that environmental issues found that organizations react to became part of the agenda of the heightened institutional pressures on Nigerian business community. They environmental issues to acquire were top priorities for companies legitimacy. In a content analysis of and this doused the impression of the annual reports of companies interest only in making profit. The randomly selected, the study study revealed that greening and revealed an increasing dissemination beautification of streets were among of environmental information as a the most conspicuous aspect of key component of the annual reports social responsibility. They wanted to in reaction to intense institutional be seen as environment friendly as pressures. that could influence customer Method service. Of the 20 beautified sites This study adopted the survey and studied across Lagos state in-depth interview research metropolis, ten were constructed by methods. According to Baran banks, two by oil companies, and (2002), surveys “allow mass eight by others. communication researchers to
However, Ndisika (as cited in measure characteristics, opinions, or Ogwezzy, 2007) argues that behaviours of a population by companies‟ engagement in street studying a small sample from that beautification was driven profit group, then generalizing back to the motive. He argues that these population which is the group under beautifications exist only in study” (p. 408). Sobowale (2008) conspicuous places that are exposed notes that in-depth interview to heavy human traffic. By putting “enables the researcher to probe their brand names and painting deeper into the inner recesses of the much of the site in their corporate interviewee. The interviewees are colors, they are able to attract presented with an opportunity to attention and customers. It should be express themselves and not limited noted their signage do not attract by responses” (p.67). government tariffs which have made Population of the Study and some observers seen them as a Sample Size cheap advertisement medium. The population of this study consists
Ndisika‟s observation of residents of Lagos State. Using a notwithstanding, Philippe (2010) in ballot system, four local government his study on the effect of areas from the 20 in Lagos State environmental communication on a were randomly selected, namely: company‟s legitimacy and the Lagos Island, Ikeja, Lagos Mainland
45 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 and Ojo. According to the 2008 The number of houses on the street Independent National Electoral was counted and divided by 24 Commission (INEC) Atlas of (allotted copies of questionnaire for Electoral Constituency, the each street) to determine the sample populations of the selected local interval. Using a ballot system, a government areas are as follows: random start was selected between Lagos Island- 209, 437; Ikeja-313, one and the interval on each selected 196; Lagos Mainland- 317, 720 and street for the houses. The Press and Ojo- 598, 071. The total population Public Relations Officer in the for the selected areas is: 1,438,424. Lagos State Ministry of Using the Survey Monkey sample Environment responded to the size calculator, set at 95% interview questions on OGL. He confidence level, 5% margin of error holds a Bachelor‟s degree in and a 50% normal (response) Philosophy and is a full member of distribution, the calculated sample the Nigerian Institute of Public size is 385. Relations (NIPR).
Sampling, Instrument Data Analysis The 385 sample size was divided Analysis of data is simplified and among the 4 selected local devoid of complex statistics. Figures government areas as follows: Lagos on tables are also rehashed in a few Island- 96; Ikeja- 96; Lagos sentences. This is to enable illiterate Mainland-96; and Ojo- 97. Using a and unsophisticated readers ballot system, one ward was selected understand the details. Omojola from each local government and (2016, p. 836) has observed that in four streets selected from each ward some cases the audiences of a using the same system. The streets research output include less literate selected were: Seriki Aro Ward persons, which means that analysis (Ikeja) - Olowu Street, John of findings should be simplified for Akinjide Street, Obanta Street and easy understanding. The analysis is Muri Busari Street. Ojo Oniyun presented below using simple Ward (Lagos Mainland) - Olaogun percentages. Both the responses Street, Ojo Oniyun Street, Cole from the survey and the in-depth Street and Thomas Street. Iba ward interview were anaylsed (Ojo) - Great Challenge Road, Oba simultaneously under each research Goriola Street; Aratumi Street and question. Olaoye Street. Balogun Ward (Lagos Island) Balogun Street, Research Question 1: What is the level of awareness of Operation Alagbede Street, Issah Williams Green Lagos program among street and Enu Owa Street. Lagos residents?
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Table 1: Level of awareness of respondents on the Operation Green Lagos programme
Responses % Yes 89.6 No 10.4 Total 100 N 385
Table 1 shows that the majority of shows that many of the the respondents are aware of the residents are aware of our Operation Green Lagos program. programs. People send in text Here awareness is conceptualized in messages on those destroying terms of actual experience the planted trees or illegally occupying areas meant for (Omojola, 2008) of knowing about beautification. Some send the campaign and responding to it. letters while others call. The Principal Public Relations Through our emails and Officer at the Lagos State Ministry websites (www.moelagos.org; of Environment Mr. Ogundeji also publicaffairsenvirons@yahoo. confirmed that the level of com), the residents are able to awareness was very high among the get back to use quickly on residents, as the Ministry received issues. Once the people give feedbacks from the residents and us information, the ministry enquiries particularly from artisans swiftly moves to address them. All of these activities on how they could support the indicate a high level of program. According to him: awareness and positive The feedbacks are quite attitude of the respondents encouraging. We do media toward the project. appearances, which are usually talk back shows Research Question 2: What are where people give immediate the communication channels and feedbacks on environmental strategies used for the Operation reports in their area. That Green Lagos programme?
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Table 2: Communication channels and strategies Communication Strategies % Through mobile announcers 0.9 Through the television 57.8 Through the radio 4.7 Through the newspaper 5.7 Through interpersonal communication 11.8 Through the billboards 7.3 Through the community/association 0.9 meetings
Other 19.9 Total 100 N 385
Table 2 shows that Lagos State (LTV) and the radio stations Radio Government has used a combination Lagos (AM) and Eko FM. The tools of the channel and strategies for used include radio jingles, TV, passing across the OGL media talks, media briefings, communications. Television is the newspaper adverts and press major channel through which releases. Weekly programmes resident get the information featured on television are: “Our followed by interpersonal Environment” on LTV on communication and other Wednesdays and “Environmental communication channels, which Waka” on TVC, which use Pidgin may include the social media and English.
SMS. The findings corroborate According to the PRO local Ogundeji‟s comments on the government chairmen, traditional communication channels and rulers and chiefs, trade unions, strategies used by the Ministry. schoolteachers and pupils and the According to him, all major community development association activities of the agency are broadcast (CDA) members gather on World on the television and radio Environment Day when particularly the state-owned communication messages are television station Lagos Television disseminated. He said:
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The event has been from Lagos State are all decentralized into five represented at the events. divisions of Lagos State. Such a wide involvement is to Decentralization ensures that ensure that communication the commemoration takes gets to the grass roots.
place simultaneously while Research question 3: What is the the State Governor is perception of Lagos residents represented at each venue. about the Operation Green Lagos Traditional rulers as well as state and federal legislators programme?
Table 3: Residents perception on whether the project is of any benefit to Lagos residents Responses % Yes 96.0 No 4.0 Total 100 N 385
Table 4: Perception of residents on the most appealing benefits of the project
Perception % It helps beautify Lagos metropolis 52 It helps in purifying the environment and 33 improve the quality of life It helps generate employment for the Lagos 3 residents. It helps address issues of climate change 13 Total 100 N 385
According to Table 3, majority of Green Lagos program among Lagos the respondents think that the residents. Environmental program is beneficial to Lagos State purification becomes the next most residents. Table 4 shows that the important benefit while employment beautification of Lagos metropolis generation is the least perceived and its environs is the most benefit of the programme among the appealing benefit of the Operation residents.
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Table 5: Perception of residents on the overall objective of the project
Responses % It is an act of social responsibility 83.0 It is just to make a political statement 10.0 It just a waste of state resources. 3.2 Others 3.8 Total 100 N 385
Table 5 indicates that the most Discussion notable objective of the Operation It is important reiterate that findings Green Lagos programme is that of on the communication channels and social responsibility although few strategy of the State showed that residents still perceive it as a over half of the residents got the political gimmick. Thus, it can be messages on the television, deduced that majority of the reflecting the effectiveness of respondents perceive the Lagos programmes such as “Our State government as socially Environment” and “Environmental responsible towards its residents Waka” which are weekly because 91.6% in a follow up programmes of the Lagos State question also agreed that the Ministry of Environment featured on programme should be sustained. LTV and TVC regularly amidst
This perception was highlighted in other media. This debunks the the response of Ogundeji where he growing claim that the Internet has stated that the State has been able to rendered broadcast media useless. In solicit and get the support of one of a similar study conducted in Enugu the most difficult set of Lagos State in the southeast of Nigeria, residents i.e. the area boys some of Ojobor (2016) notes that the radio whom hitherto use the open spaces was the most effective medium. This now beautified as their abode. More implies that the broadcast media is so, due to the communications, still relevant and instrumental to members of the community now environmental communication. appreciate more the need for trees to A percentage of the respondents beautify and make the environment indicated that they received the OGL healthier. messages from at least one of the
channels identified in this study.
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This affirmed the findings of • The Lagos State environmental Ayedun-Aluma (2007) that Lagos agencies should be consistent State environmental communication with their messaging to keep the strategies use both the formal and objectives of the program top of informal structures. The respondents the mind among the residents. and interviewee confirmed all of the Messages can also be made in media and structures identified by the local language (mainly Ayedun-Aluma as part of the Yoruba) but where English is communication strategies for the imperative, good subtitling program. should be given a priority
Conclusion and Recommendations (Daramola, Hamilton & The perception of residents about Omojola, 2014). OGL campaign is quite positive. • This strategy as executed for the Majority of the respondents agreed Operation Green Lagos may be that the beautification of the state is redefined and adopted for other beneficial, as they perceived it to be developmental programs of the an act of social responsibility by the State because of its significant government. However, in a follow- success in creating awareness up question, some of the and relatively positive respondents expressed perception among the residents. dissatisfaction about the consistency • However, it will be more of the communication campaign to appropriate for Lagos State to drive OGL, claiming that the vigor conduct a holistic study of this put into it was felt more at the program for the purpose of beginning of the program than future projects. lately. The PR strategist replied that • Other States in Nigeria and in spite of this shortcoming there is around the world willing to little doubt that OGL has worked. embark on projects of the same The government official noted the nature may adapt the Operation advice that the enthusiasm noticed at Green Lagos communication the beginning of the program should strategies although with an be sustained. In view of this insight from socio-cultural mix conclusion, the following are of the target communities. recommended:
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misapplication of Journal of Communication, communication strategies in 2(2), 46-60. managing environmental Diffusion of innovation according to issues/problems in Ebonyi Rogers. Retrieved from state, Nigeria. The Nigeria www.wikipedia.com.10/10/10. Journal of Communications, 4 Innocent, K. (2016) Ending gas (1&2) 58-65. flaring in Nigeria‟s oil- Aluko, O. (2004, June 8). World producing communities environment day: Matters through mass media advocacy arising, The Guardian, p. 18. in E. Soola, Udoudo, A. & Ayedun-Aluma, V. (2007) Inter- Ochonogor, C. (eds.) Issues organizational communication and trends in environmental network for environment communication (pp.124-153). protection in Lagos State” in Ibadan: Kraft Books. Nwosu, I. & Soola O. (Eds.) Jarreau (2015) Best practices in Communication in global, environmental communication: ICTS & ecosystem A scientific paper. Retrieved perspectives-Insights from from:http://www.fromthelabbe Nigeria (pp.363-371). Enugu, nch.com/from-the-lab-bench- Nigeria: African Council for science-blog/2015/11/8/best- Communication practices-in-environmental- Education/Precision Publishers communication-a-scientific- Banire, M. (2009, May 13) 2009 paper. Ministerial press briefing. Keghku, T. (2006) Culture and Paper presented at the environment: The public commemoration of the second relations imperative. The year in office of His Excellency Nigerian Journal of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola Communication. 4(1) 49-57. (SAN), Governor of Lagos Meisner, M. (2015, November) State. Environmental communication: Baran, S. (2002) Introduction to What it is and why it matters. mass communication: Media One Planet Talking Point [Blog literacy and culture. Boston. Post] Retrieved from: McGraw Hill https://theieca.org/what- Daramola, Y., Hamilton, K. & environmental-communication. Omojola, O. (2014). The Moore, E. (2008) The impact of Challenge of Subtitling in religion, media and science on Yoruba Nollywood Movies and the preparation of Possible Solution. Covenant environmental issues in the U.S. in Willard, B. & Green,
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C. (eds.) Communication at the Nwosu, I. & Soola, O. (Eds.) Intersection of Nature and Communication on global, Culture (pp. 110-120) Chicago: ICTS and ecosystem College of Communication. perspectives-insights from Nigerian Infopedia (2015) Official Nigeria.(pp. 341-351) Enugu: list of local government areas ACCE/Precision Publishers. in Nigeria and their population. Ojobor, I. (2016) The role of Retrieved from: communication in waste http://www.nigerianinfopedia.c management: The ESWAMA om/official-list-local- experience in E. Soola, A. government-areas-lagos- Udoudo & Ochonogor, C population/ 22/12/16. (Eds.) Issues and trends in Nsude, I. (2007) Environmental environmental communication. education: A Ibadan: Kraft Books. communication/impact analysis Okiyi, C (2007) Influence of in Nwosu, I. & Soola, O. (Eds.) relevant radio programmes on Communication on global, the socio-economic ICTS and ecosystem development of farmers in Iwo, perspectives-insights from Osun State Nigeria. The Nigeria.(pp. 352-362) Enugu: Nigerian Journal of ACCE/Precision Publishers. Communication, 5 (1) 119-134. Nwabueze, C. (2007) Environmental Omojola, O. (2008). Web searching marketing: An imperative to in a Nigerian Language. Ibadan environmental protection and Journal of Social Sciences, education in Nwosu, I. & 6(2), 167-177. Soola, O. (Eds.) Omojola, O. (2016). Using symbols Communication on global, and shapes for analysis in small ICTS and ecosystem focus group research. The perspectives-insights from Qualitative Report, 21(5), 834- Nigeria.(pp. 378-387) Enugu: 847. Retrieved from ACCE/Precision Publishers. http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/v Nwodu, L (2006). Research and ol21/iss5/3. ICTs relevance in innovation Organisation for Economic diffusion. The Nigerian Journal Cooperation and Development of Communication 4 (1&2) (OECD) (1999) Environmental 100-108. communication: Applying Nwodu, L (2007). Environmental communication tools towards communication action for sustainable development (A achieving safe water in working paper for the working Nigeria‟s rural communities in party on development
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cooperation and environment). study of the Citizen France: OECD Publications. Potawatomi Nation in Willard, Oso, L. (2006) Framing the B. & Green, C. (eds.) environment: Press coverage of Communication at the an environmental problem. The Intersection of Nature and Nigerian Journal of Culture (pp. 25 - 34.) Chicago: Communication 4 (1) 66-75. College of Communication. Popoola, T. (1999) Business Sobowale, I. (2008) Scientific research methods: An Journalism (Revised), Lagos: andragogical approach. Lagos: Idosa Konsult. UNILAG Press. Uwakwe, O. (2016) Mitigating the Rogers, E. M. (1983). Diffusions of effects of gully erosion in the Innovations. New York: The south-eastern states through Free Press. participatory communication in Santi, E. & Grenna, L. (2003) Soola, E., Udoudo, A. & Environmental Ochonogor, C. (eds.) Issues communications assessment: A and trends in environmental framework of analysis for the communication (pp.216-233). environmental governance. Ibadan: Kraft Books. Paper presented at the 7th Wilson, D. (2006) Indigenous- Biennial Conference on modern Communication Communication and the interface for sustainable Environment (COCE, 2003) environmental development. Retrieved from: The Nigerian Journal of http://documents.worldbank.or Communications, 4 (1&2) 7- g/curated/en/956971468324278 17. 530/pdf/421850cocefinaldraft0 Young, H (2009) Innovation 1PUBLIC1.pdf diffusion in heterogeneous Schmidt, P. (2008) Public populations: Contagion, social participation in environmental influence and social learning. planning and decision making Retrieved from by trial Governments: A case www.goog1ebooks.com.
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Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017
An Open Access Journal, Available Online
Media Coverage and Framing of Cultural Practices that Target Nigerian Women
Innocent Ihechu (Ph.D), Chukwuemeka Okugo (Ph.D), Faith Amah & Christian Afulike
Department of Mass Communication Uturu, Abia State Nigeria [email protected]
Abstract: This study examines media coverage of unwholesome cultural practices with regard to women in Nigeria and its inherent framing patterns. Contents of five dominant broadcast and print media– Africa Independent Television (AIT), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Vanguard, The Nation and Daily Sun were investigated while 121 media practitioners responded to questionnaire items in Rivers State, a political subdivision in the southern part of the country. Findings show an insignificant coverage of the cultural practices that denigrate women while the framing patterns exhibit a non- condemnatory stance. These unimpressive outcomes are upshots of reporters‟ low awareness profile of the issue, patriarchy and advertisers‟ lack of interest. Journalists will need to be sensitized toward these negative cultural practices to enhance their coverage and creation of framing patterns that favor of women.
Keywords: Broadcast media, framing patterns, cultural practices, media coverage, women.
55 Introduction In most societies, physical abuse is Generally, Nigerian women are often considered an acceptable victims of gender-induced violence behaviour, and where it is frowned and discriminatory cultural at, women are often blamed for practices. They are regarded as inciting the men who engage in it objects to be used for pleasure, (Odimegwu, 2001; Watt and temptation and elimination. For Zimmerman, 2002). For example, instance, a man will beat his wife among the Luhya community in and nothing will happen. Nigerians Western Kenya and Tiv-speaking would rather expect her to go on her people of Nigeria, wife beating is knees and beg him. Cultural even regarded as a sign of love, practices against the female gender which women have been socialized constitute a ubiquitous plague in to accept and sometimes encourage Nigeria and Africa (Odunjinrin, it (Odimegwu, 2001; Ifemeje, 2008). 1993). Governments and multilateral Cultural practices against women institutions have come up with some perpetrated often by male partners policies to tackle the problem but it are widely condoned by many appears solution is still farfetched. Nigerian societies where the belief
Violence against women is under- that a husband may chastise his wife reported in spite of its high by beating her is deeply embedded prevalence in many cultural settings in the culture (Odujinrin, 1993; both in the developed and Okemgbo, Omideyi and Odimegwu, developing countries (Molloy, 2000; 2002). Traditional attitudes Odimegwu, 2001). For instance, regarding the subordination of studies indicate that 10-58% of women exacerbate problems of women have experienced one form sexual and domestic violence (Otite, of physical abuse or another by an 2000). Therefore, violence against intimate partner in their lifetime women provides one of the most (Watts & Zimmerman, 2002). obvious illustrations of the low Furthermore, cross-sectional studies position and status that women are show that 40% of women in South accorded in many cultures in Africa, 28% in Tanzania and 7% in Nigeria.
New Zealand reported that their first Cultural discrimination against sexual intercourse was forced women is also an aspect of the (Weigert, 1999). Cultural practices practices against women. against women are evident in many Discrimination against women forms, including domestic, verbal occurs in all spheres of the Nigerian and physical abuse, rape and sexual life and is characterized by features assault, early and forced marriages, left by culture, colonial legacy, incest and female genital mutilation. religion, education, politics,
56 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 employment and legislation Some societies in Nigeria such as (Mollory, 2000). the people of Abakaliki in Ebonyi
Cultural practices against women in State have food taboos for female Nigeria are an outgrowth of children. Food sacrificed to the gods patriarchy where the roles of men cannot be eaten by girls. They are and women are socially constructed also not allowed to eat gizzard and in such a way that women occupy the anus or head of fowl. There is no inferior positions in the scheme of nutrition-oriented reason for things (Odimegwu, 2001). preventing girls and women from According to Omojola and Yartey, eating such foods.
(2016, p.84) “Patriarchy, an age- The recent debate on the amendment long culture controls the polity of the 1999 constitution raised a through dialogic lockdown that controversial question on the allows only a very few opportunities position and treatment of women for the subaltern, especially under the law in Nigeria. Many women.” Due to preference for boys people have expressed shock and in most cultures, a woman without a disappointment over the unequal male child is regarded as almost treatment of women by the barren. For this reason, the husband constitution, particularly section 29 of such a woman usually takes (4) (b), which technically supports another wife with the hope of child marriage. bearing a male child. This is borne For the foregoing reasons, media out of the belief in male physical, coverage of the activities associated psychological and social superiority. with practices against women Only the male child is regarded as becomes an important issue. News capable of upholding the lineage content can create the necessary while the female gets married into awareness needed by society to another family. Consequently, girls promote development including in are treated as temporary members of the areas that concern women. To do their families, sometimes denied this, it is also pertinent that such equal access to education, feeding coverage come with framed reports. and inheritance. Unfortunately, Framing, thus, would direct the women are also treated as strangers perception of the audience such as in their husbands' families because taking condemnatory stances against of the possibility of divorce. This is such practices that demean women reflected in the traditional practice in the society. This study aimed at where daughters and natural establishing the extent the media members of a family have more have gone in covering and framing rights than the wives. the cultural practices that
57 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 discriminate against women in are covered in the broadcast Nigeria. media in Nigerian;
The Problem ii. Ascertain the patterns of In the pre-colonial Nigeria and a framing of cultural practices little after independence in 1960, against women in the Nigerian cultural practices against women broadcast media; had received very little or no iii. Determine the factors that attention. This lack of visibility in impinge on broadcast media public forums had been used as a coverage of cultural practices weapon to perpetrate the practices. against women in the Nigerian, However, since the UN Declaration and on the elimination of cultural iv. Ascertain the level of awareness practices against women (CEDAW), of cultural practices against attempts have been made by women among journalists. governments, non-governmental Literature Review organisations and other stakeholders A brief on Culture in Nigeria to address the powerful Culture is the characteristics of a cultural, traditional and religious particular group of people defined forces that have hindered the by everything from language, elimination of dangerous cultural religion, cuisine, social habits music practices against women. and arts. According to Schreek
To this end and considering the self- (2000), it is that complex whole assigned role of the media as agents which includes knowledge, beliefs, of social change and development, it arts morals, law, custom and other became imperative to investigate capabilities acquired by man as a how the media in Nigeria had played member of the society. It is the its role with respect to discouraging shared pattern of behaviours and negative cultural practices against interactions, cognitive constructs women. We were particularly and effective understanding that are interested in the framing patterns learned through a process of that the news and reports on these socialization. These shared patterns cultural practices followed in the identify the member of a culture broadcast and print media. group while also distinguishing
Objectives of the Study those of another group. It is a The objectives of this study are the people‟s way of life i.e. the following: fundamental ways of doing things common to a people. i. Determine the extent to which cultural practices against women Custom is defined in Black‟s Law Dictionary as a usage or practice of
58 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 the people which by common constitution about 235 times. adoption and acquiescence and by Some advocates have long and unvarying habit has recommended for replacing become compulsory and has “he” with “a person” or “He acquired the force of a law with and She.” respect to the place or subject matter • Lopsided Government‟s to which it relates. According to appointments and composition Egbuo (2005) the customary law of agencies: Section 14(3) of embodies unwritten customs and the 1999 constitution does not traditions, which have been accepted show gender consideration in as obligatory by members of a the composition of the community; it is a body of unwritten government and its agencies. customs and traditions accepted as • Indecent assaults on males and obligatory by members of the females: The Criminal Code community for the regulation of the discriminates against women relations between its members. on the issue of punishment Osborne (1998) cited in Salami against personal assaults. (2012) adds: “One of the most Section 353 of the Criminal striking features of West African Code provides that: “Any native custom … is its flexibility; it person who unlawfully and appears to have been always subject indecently assaults any male to motives of expediency and it person is guilty of a felony, shows unquestionable adaptability to and is liable to imprisonment altered circumstances without for three years.” Conversely, entirely losing its character…” (p. Section 360 provides that 5). “Any person who unlawfully
The Concern with the Law and indecently assaults a It appears there is a growing interest woman or girl is guilty of a of activists in the rights of women misdemeanor, and is liable to under the laws of Nigeria. They imprisonment for two years.” have been able to raise some issues Why the difference? including the following: • Marital rape: Can a man rape • Gender-bias Language of the his wife? Yes, but not in constitution: The language Nigeria. Under the Nigerian used by the constitution is not criminal law, a man cannot gender neutral, perhaps rape his wife. Section 182 of because it was written by men. the Penal Code provides that For example, the pronoun “sexual intercourse by a man “He” appears in the 1999 with his own wife is not rape if she has attained puberty.”
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Those advocating recognition abducted by the rich and powerful in of marital rape claim that this the society.
provision condones the ii. Female Circumcision defilement of young girls. Female genital mutilation is another • Spousal abuse/wife beating: cultural practise that leads to the Section 55(1) (d) of the Penal abuse of women and is widely Code provides that “Nothing practiced in Nigeria. It involves the is an offence, which does not “partial or total removal of the amount to the infliction of external female genital and/or injury grievous harm upon any to the female genital organs whether person and which is done by a for cultural or any non-therapeutic husband for the purpose of reasons and is carried out for various correcting his wife. Such cultural reasons such as maintenance husband and wife being of chastity and virginity before subject to any natural law or marriage, increasing sexual pleasure custom in which such of the husbands, fidelity during correction is recognized as marriage and intake of women into lawful.” One can argue that womanhood (Aduh, 2003).
this provision condones iii. Wife inherited by husband’s domestic violence and may be relatives used as justification for abuse In some communities in Nigeria, the against women in matrimonial death of a wife of a customary relationships. marriage automatically brings the Cultural Practices against Women marriage to an end. However, where Some of the cultural practices it is the husband that dies, the against women in Nigeria are: marriage does not come to an end, i. Early and forced marriage the wife is inherited within the Early marriage refers to marriage of family. Thus, the woman is given to persons below the age of 18 years any of the husband‟s brothers or and is practised in different parts of relations and is expected to continue Nigeria but more in the Northern to perform her matrimonial roles to parts of Nigeria (mostly among the him whether she likes it or not Muslims) (Asadu, 2011). These (Reychler and Jacobs 2004). Even young girls are given into marriage though this practice is gradually for various reasons, which include dying out because of the influence economic, maintenance of chastity of religion, modernization, and the and maintenance of family name. current scourge of HIV/AIDS, it is Most often the girls are forced by still going on in some communities their parents and sometimes in Nigeria.
60 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 iv. Divorce husband in an attempt to prove her In situations where a couple married innocence. under customary law goes through vi. Domestic violence divorce, the woman is required to Several women in Igboland, also in refund the bride-price paid on her the southeast, are victims of all regardless of the number of years manner of domestic violence. she and her husband had been According to Egbue (2009, p.6) on married and the number of children this, “Violence against women they have. Even when the woman constitutes a highly damaging has been married for forty or more dimension of the dehumanization of years she would still be required to women on the basis of culture. This make the refund. Upon divorce, the still remains common practice in the children of the marriage, in most localities studied, either as means of cases, are required to be in the maintaining masculinity and male man‟s custody. The woman is not superiority, or of keeping female entitled to properties: no house, no spouse in check.” furniture, no farms etc. She is just vii. Payment and refund of bride asked to leave her matrimonial home price for wherever (Ofie-Aboagye, 1994). From all indications, the aspect of The customary practice in relation to the Igbo customary law that divorce as practiced by many specifies payment and refund of traditional communities is certainly bride price has attracted much repugnant to natural justice, equity criticism from women‟s rights and good conscience. activists. For instance, Enemuo v. Widowhood rites (1990, p.32) has condemned the acts In some Nigerian communities, in the following terms: “One would whenever a man dies, his wife is observe that the picture painted by usually suspected and often accused the refund of bride price is exactly of knowledge of and/or complicity the same painted by its payment. in his death. This is common in the That portrayed a woman as a piece southeast Nigeria. Such suspicion or of chattel being bought or rejected accusation is never made when a by its owners.” The author suggests wife dies. In some communities, the that there should be neither payment wife is made to undergo some life- nor refund of bride price. Aduh threatening ritual to prove her (2003) also argues that the payment innocence. In some areas, she is and refund of bride price paints a made to drink the water used in portrait of commercialisation. washing the corpse of her deceased
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Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 viii. Marginalization of Women’s in others like Europe, America and Rights in Dissolution of Customary other advanced countries where such Law Marriage practices are not as prevalent. The In the process of the dissolution of moment a girl-child is born in Igbo customary law marriage, Nigeria, she starts to encounter women are often at a loss as they are discrimination. People who come to given any financial compensation. felicitate often greet the birth of a Furthermore, they are also denied girl child with less glee than that of the custody of the children on the a boy. Some people even respond to argument children belong questions on the sex of a new baby exclusively to men under the Igbo girl by saying she is another asewo custom. (prostitute), especially if the mother ix. Male Preference Syndrome had given birth to many female Male sons are preferred under the children in the past.
Igbo culture. The birth of a son into Nigeria is signatory to many any Igbo family calls for a big multilateral agreements that frown at celebration and jubilation. The discrimination against women. For importance placed on the birth of a example, there is the Convention on son is often reflected in the names the Elimination of all Forms of often given to male sons at birth, Discrimination against Women such as “Amaechina”, “Ogbonna”, (CEDAW, 1979), ratified by Nigeria “Nwokeabia”, “Nwokedi, in December 1991. The Universal Nwokediuko etc. Literally Declaration of Human Rights interpreted, these names connote and (UDHR) adopted in 1948, the extol the importance of male African Charter on Human and children in the family. Even in the Peoples Rights in 1986, ratified and home, the girl-child is practically domesticated by Nigeria and the forced to perform all the chores, for Convention on the Rights of the the simple reason that she is a girl Child adopted in 1989 and ratified and the place of a girl is in the by Nigeria in 1992 and most kitchen. importantly the Protocol to the
Inequality, Violence and the African Charter on the Rights of Nigerian Woman Women in Africa, 2003 – a unique Discrimination against women is a piece of legislation which takes into universal phenomenon though consideration the provisions of other certain socio-cultural practices that international instruments on human exist in some societies like Africa rights that touch on women‟s rights and some third world countries and the need for equality and make women more susceptible than freedom from discrimination.
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Unimpressively, however, these First is major or macro social have not succeeded in curbing the change that often appears to be discrimination menace. But revolutionary. Media were the according to NCWS (2014): catalyst of change in the following Some of these beliefs have been examples: practiced for so long that they • The Arab Spring are embedded in the societal • The emergence of South Sudan perception almost as a legal as a sovereign nation norm. Such that the laws of the • Barack Obama‟s win as the land and international instruments which protect the President of the United States rights of women, are flagrantly • Live telecast of Gulf War; infringed in the guise of these • The emergence of social media.
age long cultural and/or The second captures the minor or religious belief (p.46). micro social change that appears to
Domestic violence is deep-rooted in be quite subtle but can exert enough many African societies, including power to change the existing social Nigeria, where wife beating is order. Minor social changes often considered a prerogative of men deal with ethnicity, individuality, (Odumengwu, 2001; Ofie-Aboagye, social and cultural categories (social 1994) and a purely domestic matter identity) (Ihechu, Okugo and by the society (Rivera-Izabel, 1995). Onwukwe, 2015) such as languages, Domestic violence is one of the emotions, conventions, rituals, greatest barriers to ending the hierarchies, deliberate praxis, subordination of women. Women, exterior and interior behavioural for fear of violence, are unable to expressions, milestones, traffic refuse sex or negotiate safer sexual signals and all possible mundane practices, thus increasing their exercises that affect life. vulnerability to HIV if their For media to be agents of minor or husbands are unfaithful (Watts, major social change the following Ndlovu, Njovana and Keogh, 1997). are the processes that must occur in
Mass Media, Social Change and their contents namely: Development • Priming: Publishing McQuail (2010) has identified some preponderantly about some functions that media perform to issues in a way that alters the promote national growth and standards by which the development. Prominent among audience evaluates those these is media as social change. In issues. media and cultural studies, two • Framing: Preparing some types of social change are visible: content preponderantly to make
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them have more meaning than how to think about that issue others to the audience. (second level agenda setting, • Agenda Setting: Publishing to framing theory). Framing techniques influence the value or according to Fairhurst and Sarr importance placed by the (1996) entail: audience on the topics of public • Metaphor: To frame a discourse or agenda. conceptual idea through • Media Cultivation: Using comparison to something else. content to change the • Stories (myths, legends): To audience‟s behaviour (or even frame a topic via narrative in a ideology) in the long run. This vivid and memorable way. has capacity to change the • Tradition (rituals, ceremonies): socio-political and economic Cultural mores that imbue order. significance in the mundane,
On Framing and Agenda Setting closely tied to artefacts. Theories • Slogan, jargon, and The theories underlying this study catchphrase: To frame an are Framing theory and Agenda object with a catchy phrase to Setting theory. Framing expands the make it more memorable and agenda-setting tradition by focusing relate-able. on the essence of the issues at hand. • Artefact: Objects with intrinsic In essence, framing theory suggests symbolic value – a that how something is presented to visual/cultural phenomenon the audience (called “the frame”) that holds more meaning than influences the choices people make the object itself. about how to process that • Contrast: To describe an object information. Frames are abstractions in terms of what it is not. that work to organize or structure • Spin: To present a concept in message meaning. The most such a ways as to convey a common use of frames is in terms of value judgment (positive or the frame the news or media place negative) that might not be on the information they convey. immediately apparent; to create They are thought to influence the an inherent bias by definition. perception of the news by the In the light of the foregoing, we audience. In this way it could be analyze the media coverage of construed as a form of second level cultural practices against women in agenda-setting – they not only tell Nigeria. the audience what to think about (agenda-setting theory), but also
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Agenda Setting Theory adopted to enhance the quality of Agenda-setting theory describes the results from three sets of population. "ability news media to influence the The first set consisted of all the salience of topics on the public programme schedules of broadcast agenda. That is, if a news item is stations. The second had all the covered frequently and prominently, editions of newspaper and the audience will regard the issue as magazines in Nigeria while the third more important. By comparing the was made up of reporters, editors salience of issues in news content and other practitioners in Nigeria. with the public's perceptions of the Based on visibility, the following most important election issue, media were selected: McCombs and Shaw (1968) cited in 1. Broadcast: Federal Radio Ibrahim (2012) were able to Corporation of Nigeria determine the degree to which the (FRCN) and Africa media determine public opinion. Independent Television (AIT) Agenda-setting is the creation of 2. Print: Daily Sun newspaper, public awareness and concern of Vanguard newspaper and The salient issues by the news media. Nation newspaper.
Two basic assumptions underlie The first population set had 184 most researches on agenda-setting: programme schedules from the two 1. The press and the media do stations under study for March, not reflect reality; they filter April and May (that is, 92 days for and shape it; each station).
2. Media concentration on a few The second accessible population issues and subjects leads the was 276; being the total number of public to perceive those issues editions published by the three as more important than other newspapers under study in three issues. months. The units of analysis were In relation to this study, we examine representations of cultural practices how the mass media in Nigeria have against women in Nigeria as been able to capture or set agenda on reflected in news, editorials, cultural practices against women cartoons/pictures, and some factors impinging on the commentaries/documentaries, agenda setting function in this advertisements/commercials, regard. press/news release; etc. The frames
Methods are identified based on the The research design for this study patterns/techniques of framing as encompasses survey and content captured by Fairhurst and Sarr analysis. The two methods were (1996).
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The third population was 175 being Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Port the total number of journalists in Harcourt in the River State of Rivers State. This figure was gotten Nigeria. from the National Union of
Results Table 1: Coverage of cultural practices against women in the selected broadcast media
Media Total number of Number of progra Percentage programmes for the mmes period under study on cultural practic es against women FRCN 1,245 (100%) 9 0.7% AIT 1,567 (100%) 21 1.3% TOTAL 2812 (100%) 30 1.066%
The table above shows data on the under study. Only minute coverage of cultural practices percentages were recorded for the against women by the media media organizations which in any organizations within the period case is just 2% added together.
Table 2: Specific cultural practices against women reflected in the broadcast media
Media Early Widowhood Female Domestic Divorce Wife Male Bride total marriage practices genital violence/ inheri preference price mutilation battering tance syndrome refund/ sale in marriage
FRCN 1 3 3 2 - - - - 9 AIT 2 1 5 12 1 - - - 21 TOTAL 3 (10%) 4 (13%) 8 (27%) 14 (47%) 1 (3%) - - - 30(100%)
Table 2 shows that domestic and then divorce. Other issues such violence/battering has the highest as wife inheritance, bride price reported cases in the media within refunds/ sale of women in marriage the period understudy, followed by as well as male preference syndrome female genital mutilation, were not captured by the media. widowhood practices, early marriage
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Table 3: Genre of coverage of cultural practices against women in the broadcast media Media News Talk Ad Documentaries Drama/play/ total show jingles soap-opera
FRCN 5 2 - - 2 9 AIT 11 3 - 2 5 21 TOTAL 16(53%) 5(17%) - 2 (7%) 7 (23%) 30(100%)
The table shows that within the play/soap-opera, talk shows, and period understudy, a majority documentaries. Ad/jingles did not percentage of 53% was recorded for feature in the coverage of cultural NEWS genre in the coverage of practices against women within the cultural practices against women in period under study. Nigeria followed by drama,
Table 4: Items and Genre of coverage of cultural practices against women in the print media Media News Editorials Cartoons/ Features Adverts Total pictures Daily Sun 2 1 2 3 - 8(38%) Vanguard 2 - - 3 1 6(29%) The Nation 1 1 1 4 - 7(33%)
Total 5(24%) 2(10%) 3(14%) 10(48%) 1(4%) 21(100%)
Table 4 provides some information newspapers, Daily Sun had the on both the items and genre of highest percentage in terms of coverage of cultural practices coverage of the issues with the against women in Nigeria. The percentage of 38% followed by The picture that emerges from the table Nation and Vanguard. The highest is that 21 items of cultural practice percentage was identified in against women were identified Features (48%) followed by News within the period. Among the three (24%).
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Table 5: Frames in the coverage of cultural practices against women in Nigeria
Media F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 Total AIT - 10 2 - - - 9 21 FRCN - 4 1 - - - 4 9 Daily Sun 1 5 1 - - - 1 8 Vanguard - 3 2 - - - 1 6 Nation - 4 1 1 - - 1 7 Total 1(2%) 26(51%) 7(14%) 1(2%) - - 16(31%) 51(100%)
KEYS: F1 = housewife syndrome; F2 = male preferences; F3 = widowhood rights; F4 = marital rape; F5 = wife beating; F6 = exclusions; F7 = wife- servants.
Table 5 shows that there are frames in the media can be identified. For in the coverage of cultural practices each of the items on cultural against women in Nigeria, and using practices against women in each of the framing techniques listed earlier, the titles, the table reveals the the patterns of framing of the issues framing pattern for each media.
Table 6: Awareness of cultural practices against women among the journalists
Responses Scores Frequency % Average score Highly aware 5 12 10 0.49 Aware 4 17 14 0.56 Moderately aware 3 25 21 0.61 Unaware 2 24 20 0.39 Highly unaware 1 42 35 0.34 Total 121 100 2.39 Overall awareness rating = 47%
Table 6 shows that awareness is the spate of increase in cultural very low (47% with an average practices against women. score of 2.39) and does not match
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Table 7: Constraints of media coverage of cultural practices against women in Nigeria
Options Frequency Percentage Low awareness/knowledge among reporters 32 (38) 84% (100%) Low audience interest 7 (38) 18% (100%) Culture of patriarchy 30 (38) 79% (100%) Lack of sponsorship 31 (38) 81% (100%) Poor government/NGOs attitude 15 (38) 39% (100%) Scarcity of happenings/occurrence 3 (38) 8% (100%)
From Table 7 it is evident that low period understudy. In the same vein, awareness/knowledge, culture of some genres of the media programs patriarchy, and lack of sponsorship adjudged to be very efficient in are the most pronounced identified facilitating audience interest and constraints to effective coverage of internalisation of media message cultural practices against women in (Asadu, 2011; Ibrahim, 2012) were the media. missing in the coverage of cultural
Discussion practices against women such genres RQ 1: To what extent do the media include soap-operas/drama and short cover cultural practices against plays, advertisements, among others. women in Nigeria? For the print media, coverage of the Analyses of data in Tables 1 through issues was very low in Nigeria. Only 4 show the coverage of cultural a total of 21 items on cultural practices against women in the practices against women featured in media within the period under study. the media analyzed. This is out of at For the broadcast media, out of 2812 least 70 items in each of the 36 items/programmes for the period editions of the newspapers analyzed under study, 1.06% was on cultural within the period. However, high practices against women in Nigeria. percentage (41%) for Features genre What is more, the media seem to be shows some case of some selective of the cultural practices elaboration by the media on the against women covered. For issue and hence impressive. instance such issues as wife From the analysis so far, it could be inheritance, bride price refunds/sale deduced that the extent of coverage of women in marriage as well as of cultural practices against women male preference syndrome were not in Nigeria is very low compared to captured in the media within the the period under study. This was a
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Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 period set aside world over to issues take the media „front burner‟ celebrate womanhood and one and as such are given almost all would expect that more attention media attention and focus. Issues should have been directed at such such as cultural practices against issues within such period. Again , women are taken less seriously and cultural practices against women in can hardly compete for a space in Nigeria has become a disturbing the media. There is however, the issue as most NGOs, government need for the media to strike a agencies as well as women balance in this regard. ministries, agencies and civil society RQ 2: Are there frames? What is organizations in Nigeria have been the pattern of media framing of re-echoing the need for all hands to cultural practices against women in be on deck in eradicating certain Nigeria? cultural practices against women. Analysis of data in table 5 provides For instance, the National Council information on frames and framing of Women Society (NCWS) in their of cultural practices against women communiqué at the end of their 2014 in Nigeria. It shows there are frames national convention observes as which fall in line with Fairhurst and follows: Sarr‟s presentation (1996). For the The task of liberating the media organizations analyzed, three Nigerian woman and indeed the African women from framing patterns were predominant. obnoxious, barbaric and They are Stories/Myths, Spin and outdated cultural practices is a Tradition patterns. The stories/myths collective one. It is an action pattern suggests that cultural that requires all and sundry and practices against women are vividly most importantly the narrated in the media with little or media…we need the media to no perspectives. The spin pattern tell our stories, our experiences suggests that audience are left to and ordeals… that way, the make value judgment while the society can fill our plight and tradition pattern implies that the that marks a big step towards ending ill-treatments against media present the issues as more of women in the name of culture tradition that should be left (p.8). sacrosanct (or „respected‟) as far as
However, some reasons could be culture is concerned. What could be adduced for the poor coverage of made out of this framing pattern and cultural practices against women in based on the explanation of these Nigeria. We live in a society overtly frames as done by Fairhurst and Sarr taken over by preponderance of (1996) is that the media seem not to political and economic issues. These have taken a neutral stance with
70 0 Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 regard to cultural practices against customs. This transcends to a women in Nigeria. situation where in the early days of
RQ 3: What factor(s) impinge on evolution, male offspring were given the media coverage of cultural educational preferences than their practices against women in Nigeria? female counterparts. The result Analyses of data in tables 6 and 7 today is that in most vocations, reveal that some factors actually males seem to be more; the impinge on media coverage of these media job inclusive (Asadu, 2012; issues and the most predominant Okugo & Onwukwe, 2012). factors are low Consequently the penchant exists to awareness/knowledge among de-prioritize such issues as cultural journalists/reporters, culture of practices against women and simply patriarchy, and lack of sponsorship. consider it a cultural phenomenon Knowledge/awareness among which societies have come to live journalists is a very important index with. for determining media coverage of Sponsorship of media content in an issue. “One cannot give what one Nigeria is common practice, which does not have,” so the saying goes. erodes objectivity in content and In Table 6, it is clear that the level of subjects journalists to undue knowledge/awareness of reporters pressure from their employers on cultural practice against women whose interests, amongst others, is very poor considering the include profit. Issues such as enormity of the costs of these to the cultural practices against women are society. Some respondents among those topics that can generate expressed the view that asking them sponsorship in good time. Hence, about awareness on cultural issues issues in the news that make sense in against women is like asking them terms of profits is likely going to be whether they know that there is given more attention than those that culture. This explains the low do not” awareness level. RQ 4: To what extent are journalists
Culture of patriarchy has eaten deep aware of cultural practices against into the fabric of the Nigerian and women? African societies. Male dominance Table 7 shows that journalists‟ and cultural arrogation of „powers‟ awareness level in relation to „rights‟ and „privileges‟ in matters cultural practices against women affecting both male and females are was very low. There was an average the order of the day. In fact such has awareness rating of 47% with an come to be accepted as part of the average score of 2.39 which was Nigerian culture/tradition or below the 3-point on a 5-point scale.
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This result is the opposite of the Nigeria. On the trail foregoing, the spate of increase in cultural practices following are recommended: against women. Most of the i. Media organisations in Nigeria respondents seem to consider should realise the need to cultural practices against women as report cases of cultural issues that deserve less attention. practices against women in Some respondents expressed the Nigeria. Therefore, the view that asking them about journalists should be awareness on cultural issues against enlightened on the societal women is irresponsible on the part expectations in these areas so of the journalists. In summary, the as to make the society realise journalists are not aware and this the negative impacts of those invariably affected the coverage practices on the development level as well as the level of framing of the society. of the issues arising from such ii. At this era of civilisation, practices. framing culture practices
Conclusion and Recommendations against women has become Based on the data analysed and imperative so that NGOs and findings made in this study, we civil rights groups would be conclude that the cultural practices encouraged to sponsor against women in Nigeria have not analyses, columns, been given adequate coverage by the commentaries and programmes media. The media in Nigeria need to to enhance regularity of such stand up to its responsibility of media offerings. sensitising the citizens on so many iii. There is need for the media in social issues among which is Nigeria to utilize such genres cultural practices against women in of coverage such as soap-opera, Nigeria. We also conclude that the drama, short plays, etc. These media have not set agenda on have been adjudged to facilitate cultural practices against women in internalisation of media Nigeria. The framing patterns reflect messages. However, “a careful a neutral stance which ought not to assessment of the content be so considering the increasing and displayed is crucial” (Morah disturbing cases of cultural practices and Omojola, 2013, p.399) to against women in Nigeria. avoid unpleasant reactions. Moreover, the framing patterns of iv. They should also give in-depth the media on this issue do not reports as well as beef up guarantee a possible change of editorials about harmful acts perceptions/beliefs as it concerns v. The women should be involved cultural practices against women in in covering and investigating
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such practices. Thus, they vi. Traditional rulers and cultural should ready to move away educators should be involved in from comfort zones. the education of practices against women.
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2005 Regional Conference. of Imo State, Nigeria. African Report Freedom News; 9(3): 2. Journal of Reproductive Morah, N. D. & Omojola. O. (2013). Health, 6(2): 101-114. Digital large screens as a Okugo, C.U & Onwukwe, D.C. community medium: (2012.) Media coverage of Interactivity and community domestic violence against relevance in focus. In A. women In Nigeria. Proceedings Ojebode (ed.) Community of the 4th international media for development and conference of research and participation: experiences, development network. Benue thoughts and forethoughts. State University, Makurdi, Ibadan: John Archers, pp. 385- Nigeria. pp.25-54. 402. Omojola O. & Yartey D.(2016). NCWS (2014). National Council of Neo-patriarchy, Feminism and Women Society: Quarterly Dialog Theory in Nigeria. report, Jan-march 2014. Lagos: Covenant Journal of Building Press. Communication, 3(1), 83-89. Odimegwu, C. O. (2001). Couple Omojola, O. and Yartey, D. (2014). formation and domestic Media content consumption violence among the Tiv of and influence on women;s Benue State, Nigeria. Paper political visbility. In O. presented at the International Omojola (ed.), Women‟s Colloquium on Gender, political visibility and media Population and Development in access. Newcastle upon Tyne: Africa organised by UAPS, Cambridge Scholars INED, ENSEA, IFORD, Publishing, pp.1-27. Abidjan: 16-21 July. Otite, O. (2000). Ethnic pluralism Odujinrin, O. (1993). Wife battering ethnicity and ethnic conflicts in in Nigeria. International Nigeria (2nd ed.). Gboko: Journal of Gynecology & Shaneson CI Limited. Obstetrics, 41(2): 159- 164. Reychler, L. and Jacobs, M. (2004). Ofie-Aboagye, R.O. (1994), Limits to violence, Leuven: Domestic violence in Ghana: Centre for Peace Research and An initial step. Colum J Gender Strategic Studies. Law; 4(1): 1-25. Rivera-Izabal, L.M. (1995). Okemgbo, C. N., Omideyi, A. K and Women's legal knowledge: A Odimegwu, C O. (2002). case study of Mexican urban Prevalence, patterns and dwellers. Gender Development, correlates of domestic violence 3(2), 43-48. in selected Igbo communities
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Salami, A. (2012). Media and the Watts, C., Ndlovu, M., Njovana, E. challenges of Nigerian state: and Keogh, E. (1997), Women, What roles to remedy? Media violence and HIV /AIDS in Review. 2:10-35. Zimbabwe. Safaids News; 5(2): Schreck, L. (2000). Turning point: a 2-6. special report on the refugee Watts, C and Zimmerman C. (2002), reproductive health field. Violence against women: International Family Planning global scope and magnitude. Perspective, 26(4), 162-166. The Lancet; 359(9313): 1232- Uzochukwu, E.(2010). Socio- 1237. cultural variables, audience Weigert, S. (1999) Structural perception and awareness of violence. In L. R. Kurtz & Roll Back Malaria campaign in Turpin, J. E. (eds.). South East Nigeria. Nigerian Encyclopaedia of violence, Journal of Communication. peace & conflict, London: 4(1), 65-90. Academic Press, pp.560-578.
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Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017
An Open Access Journal, Available Online
Mass Communication Education in Nigeria: Current Status, Challenges and Way Forward
Ayodele, J. Oyewole (Ph.D) & Damilola S. Olisa
Department of Mass Communication Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko [email protected]
Abstract: Since independence in 1960, there has been a steady growth of mass communication education in Nigeria. However, recent studies have shown that a significant number of graduates in the discipline do not possess the requisite skills for employment. This paper reiterates the issue. It describes the current status of mass communication education in the country, with a focus on the challenges confronting it, and suggests the way forward. The discourse shows that the number of mass communication graduates continues to grow but quality is declining. The challenges identified are the inadequacy of modern journalism facilities, absence of good journalism institutes, the doctorate syndrome, inadequate curricula, few hands-on opportunities for teaching and learning, poor funding, and negative students‟ attitude toward research. The authorities and stakeholders must address these issues to enable the country keep up with the best global practices.
Keywords: Communication education, journalism, journalism training, research, Nigeria.
Introduction establishment of the department of Formal mass communication mass communication at the education started in Nigeria with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in
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1961 (Ashana, 2012). The commenced in 1959. The number of University of Lagos followed in journalism schools in Nigeria had 1967 as a UNESCO-backed risen to 63 as of 2008 some of them program. Since then several tertiary accredited, and several others not institutions in Nigeria have known to law. The following table established similar or the same shows the number of academic and programs to teach journalism and tertiary institutions offering the mass impart the skills. Besides communication or journalism universities and polytechnics, programs lately. The figures were training schools were also compiled from the books of the established. Daily Times established National Board for Technical its training school in 1965 known as Education (NBTE) in 2014 and the Times Journalism Institute (TJI), Joint Admissions and Matriculations while the Federal Radio Corporation Board (JAMB) in 2017. of Nigeria (FRCN) training school
Table 1:Tertiary institutions offering Mass Communication in Nigeria
Ownership Polytechnics University Federal 19 13 State 19 15 Private 16 43 Total 54 71
The foregoing table shows that there Current Status of Mass are more universities offering mass Communication Education in communication program than Nigeria polytechnics at the undergraduate Journalism education in Nigeria has levels. It also shows that there are grown exponentially since the currently more private universities advent of the first department of offering mass communication than mass communication at University both the federal and state of Nigeria in 1961, followed by that institutions. of the University of Lagos in 1967,
In this presentation, an attempt is and the one at the Institute of made to discuss the current status of Management and Technology (MIT) mass communication in Nigeria, in 1978 which pioneered the study paying close attention to the of mass communication in the challenges facing this field of study polytechnic segment of the tertiary and how these challenges could be education system. Currently, no tackled. fewer than than 120 universities and
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Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 polytechnics offer mass their enforcement to mention a communication or journalism few, have negatively affected education programs in Nigeria good and enduring professional (Ashana, 2012). This implies that standards (p.2). mass communication education has Furtherance to Akinfeleye‟s flourished in terms of numbers. argument, it is necessary to note that journalism education in Nigeria, However, recent studies have shown having existed for over fifty years, is that the increase in number is not still to a large extent anchored on the replicated in the quality of program Western philosophy of journalism and graduates. In newsrooms, new studies. The peculiarities of Nigeria reporters are advised to forget what are not visible in her journalism they were taught in the classroom as education of today. In agreement it hardly bears relevance to what with this stand, Chibita (2009) raises obtains in the beats (Whitt, 1995). some observations with regard to Seelig (2010, p.245) raises these this gap. He is worried why the important questions: “What is it country‟s mass communication educators are preparing Journalism education does not reflect or Mass Communication majors to community problems and dynamics do? What are educators going to do and why reporters‟ knowledge of the to keep up with the technology media poorly reflects poverty, changes in the media industry?” environmental degradation, Ashana (2012), in agreement to this unemployment, energy crisis and position, notes that “the state of other situations on ground. journalism education is in dilemma Odunlami (2014) adds that right as a result of certain ailments that from 1960 till today, the theories, have besieged the profession.” models and applications of key Akinfeleye (2009) also argues that: concepts that guide media practice the proliferation of journalism institutions without the and education in Africa are embedded in foreign contents. accompanying human and financial capital as Challenges Confronting Mass prerequisites, inadequate Communication in Nigeria funding, powerful regulatory In spite the growth in numbers, the bodies, proper accreditation discipline is confronted with benchmarks and enforcement of challenges that affect quality. The a few existing legal frameworks current curriculum in several – inability of the Journalists to police their own ranks, institutions belong in the past as it is abandonment of journalistic not adequate enough to equip integrity, left-footed students with modern skills needed professional ethical codes and in the journalism practice of the
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21st century. Due to the dynamism How, for instance, do we make in the practice as a result of constant writing tutorials work where technological advancement, the fact space, equipment and human is that mass communication resource are limited, or strike curriculum also needs constant the balance in training between the extremes of producing review. specialists and generalists? How It is important to diosclose that a do we provide sound journalism number of journalism departments training while keeping an eye still use the dummy sheet, on the realities of the majority partitioned studios, and short hand of our audiences, or grapple in teaching students! This is at a with the big political and time when technological innovations economic questions while at the have overtaken such archives. There same time meeting the needs of indigenous language media and is a huge disconnect between what rural communities? (p.2) the mass communication curriculum Inadequate modern journalism offers and what is obtainable in field facilities is also one of the most (Okoro, Obayi & Onyebuchi, 2013). daunting problems facing Oso (2012) argues that it is a journalism/mass communication concern that the current mass education in Nigeria. A number of communication curriculum in mass communication departments Nigeria‟s institutions was inherited use out-dated and faulty equipment from the British colonialists. Since which are irrelevant to what is the advent of the study of mass obtainable in the modern day communication in Nigeria, part of journalism practice. It is quite the concerns of journalism/mass unfortunate that many mass communication educators have been communication departments only how to ensure a blend of journalism struggle to update their practical curriculum with the changing needs studios with few equipment only of the media industry (Odunlami, when accreditation exercises are 2014). around the corner. Observers have also noticed that Odunlami (2014, p.48) has observed today‟s curriculum is inadequate in that the present decade is noted for applying journalistic knowledge to the high adoption rate of address societal problems and technological innovations in dynamics. Having the knowledge of journalism, and mass journalistic operations is not enough, communication practice often but using that knowledge to solve creates a feeling of inadequacy for problems is more important. Chibita media/journalism educators because (2009) sums up the problem thus: as they grapple to incorporate
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Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 technological phenomenon in the or polytechnic is big problem for curricula, several others come in students. In most cases, these quick succession. This phenomenon doctors do not have industry illustrates how and why the experience and it is unimaginable, newsroom appears to be constantly for instance, for someone to be ahead of the classroom. This teaching sudents about a newsroom assertion agrees to the fact that lack he or she has never seen or worked of or inadequate modern journalism in before! This raises the question training facilties is responsible for about the quality of what is being why the modern day journalism imparted to students and makes operation is ahead of the classroom. fragile the epistemology in The situation is even worsened by Akinfeleye‟s assertion (2009) that a the ineffectiveness of bodies in low degree of literacy rate charge of regulating and accrediting contributes to a low degree of the profession. journalism education and training
Regulatory bodies, besides being while a high level of literacy tends incompetent in the discharge of their to contribute to a higher degree of duties, which breeds poor journalistic training and professional accreditation exercises, have also standards. We reckon that a good been accused of collecting journalism degree plus gratification in exchange for contemporary industry experience undeserved scorings. Odunlami provides the platform to impart (2014) asserts that this trend is still quality journalism education. notceable in Nigeria like other Ashana (2012) notes that the state of developing countries of Africa and journalism education is now adds that no sooner people in these problematic owing to certain countries, especially Africans, adjust ailments that have besieged the to the realities of an emerging profession. It can be inferred that the technological innovation than same more rooted or grounded the are upgraded with the attendant lecturers are in the field of challenge to catch up. journalism, both professionaly and
Are lecturers in mass academically, the more deep-rooted communication doing the right their students will be, as the quality thing? If they are not, what are the of graduates produced can be linked reasons? The doctorate syndrome to the quality of lecturers that taught which makes a Ph.D holder in those graduates. Lecturers in journalism or mass communication journalism need to further equip (or some other relevant disciplines) themselves both theoretically and in an automatic lecturer in a university the practical aspects (skill) so as to
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Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 be able to teach and orientate their image of the university. The time of students toward solving societal accreditation provides the problems. Often times, more opportunity to procure some badly attention is given the theoretical needed equipment both for students aspect of journalism to the detriment and staff and put in proper shape of skill acquisition. This trend must office accommodation and toilet stop in order to keep up the pace facilities, amongst others. with the best global practices. Chibita (2009) posits that one
Poor students‟ attitude to research is common feature across African worrisome. This concern is universities in the last decade is that compounded by their lethargic resource constraints have forced participation in research classes, many of them to get into the lecturers‟ inadequate knowledge of „numbers game‟. As entry point media research and the pressures of qualifications are lowered to social life over academics. It is a accommodate more „clients‟, common occurrence in most leading to the admission of weaker universities to see that a number of students from the outset, the future students dread carrying out their becomes bleak with regard to quality final year research project because as students are not cut out for what of the rigor involved. Some students they were admitted for. The succumb to the act plagiarism when implication is the production of half- they find they can no longer cope baked graduates, which seriously and what‟s more, leturers in some undermines journalism as a cases cannot detect this abnormaly! knowledge production profession.
It is a fact, and very visible, that Many institutions admit more inadequate funding significantly students than they can cater for in undermines journalism education in order to generate more funds. This Nigeria‟s institutions of higher in turn impacts negatively on learning and it wouldn‟t make any teaching and learning. difference whether they are private The configuration of mass or public. Heads of departments take communication into Print/online, advantage of accreditation exercises Broadcast and Public to get funds from their managements Relations/Advertising sequences is as „no‟ or „interim‟ accreditation generating argument in Nigeria. portends misfortune for their Some support it while some others departments. Unaccredited programs do not like the idea. The pessimist‟s are not permitted to admit students argument is that by asking a student besides the fact that not being from 300 Level and above to accredited is a stain on the overall specialize in one sequence, he or she
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Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 loses the knowledge of other adequately equipped with skills sequences which makes him or her needed by the industry. half-baked. Besides that, a graduate Using the case of Makerere who was oriented toward the public University‟s Department of Mass relations and advertising sequence, Communication as an example, for instance, will find it difficult to Chibita (2009) notes that the cope working in a broadcast department, in addressing the organization. This might be one of inadequacy of its curriculum, agreed the reasons many media to change its name from Mass organizations are lamenting that Communication to Journalism and media graduates are performing Communication. The new name below expectation. would reflect a broader and more
Mass Communication Education: relevant scope as well as pave the The Way Forward way for a variety of separate, more Omojola (2008) provides a list of focused qualifications such as a media stakeholders as including Bachelor of Journalism and Media media scholars, reporters, media Studies, Bachelor of owners, NGO‟s, media users and Communication (covering Public media audience. He asserts that for Relations and Advertising) and the profession of journalism to Bachelor of Development Support progress, there is need for all these Communication. Nigerians can tap stakeholders to work together and from this idea. proffer solutions to challenges, The idea of bombarding mass adding that it should not be left only communication students with so to journalists. Journalism education many course units is not acceptable. is a very classic platform to regard A private university exists in the profession as a “commonly- held southwestern part of Nigeria where value” (Sorauf, 1957, cited in students must take 170 course units Omojola, 2011, p.353). to qualify for graduation. A careful
There is an urgent need to update the investigation by our team shows this current mass communication does not happen in any other curriculum used by most tertiary university in the world. It was institutions in Nigeria. The discovered during the investigation curriculum must be reviewed to that in addition to departmental accommodate new ideas that reflect courses, students were asked to take the realities of today‟s modern college-wide courses and university- media culture. Updating the current wide courses which made up the 170 curriculum will allow mass units. Experts agree that 140 units communication graduates to be are manageable for the
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Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC) Vol. 4 No. 2, Dec, 2017 undergraduate mass communication Persons with quality experience in or journalism program. media practice should be employed
The profession of journalism is to teach the core hands-on courses in known to law and the constitution in mass communication. The need also Nigeria. Journalists are still regarded exists for media educators to be as the fourth estate of the realm, the ICT-inclined to be able to teach activities of citizen journalists students the innovations of the 21st notwithstanding. Therefore, century which accommodate both government should endeavor to theory and practice together assist journalism institutions (Kraeplin and Criado, 2005). financially. It is assumed that Conclusion governments will not fund private Having examined the current status institutions but universities and and challenges confronting mass polytechnics owned by them should communication/journalism be given financial succour. education in Nigeria, it is visible that Furthermore, professional there is a need for institutions in the associations like the Newspaper country to upgrade the quality of Proprietors‟ Association of Nigeria these programs to be able to produce (NPAN), Nigerian Union of skilled graduates. This should start Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Guild of with the revising of the current Editors (NGE) just to name a few, curricula used by these institutions. could help mobilize wealthy The curricula should be designed Nigerians for endowments in these and expanded to accommodate the institutions. emerging techno-deterministic and
Proper screening is advised when local contents in the field. employing journalism educators.
References Ashana, N. (2012). Journalism Akinfeleye, R. (2009). Proliferation education today. Retrieved of journalism/ mass from communication institutions and http://www.triumphnewsng.co its effects on professional m/article/read/5168 http://www.triumphnewsng.com/article/read/5168 standards in Nigeria. Retrieved Chibita, M. (2009). Developing from undergraduate journalism http://www.journalism.co.za/images/april2009/proliferation%20of%20institutions.dochttp://www.journalism.co.za/images/april2009/proliferation%20of%20institutions.doc http://www.journalism.co.za/i curricula: Concerns and issues. Retrieved from mages/april2009/proliferation http://www.journalism.co.za/im %20of%20institutions.doc ages/april2009/developing%20 undergrad%20curricula http://www.journalism.co.za/images/april2009/developing%20undergrad%20curricula
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Kraeplin, C., & Criado, C. (2005). Omojola, O. (2011). The press and Building a case for the multi-stage determination convergence journalism of public interest in a curriculum. developing country. In A. Journalism & Mass Education Monographs, 8(3), 221-262. National Board for Technical ALao and Rotimi, T (eds). Education (2014). Polytechnics Perspectives on African offering accredited Studies: Essays in honor of programmes. Retrieved from Toyin Falola. Muenchen: Retrieved from https://www.nbte.gov.ng/downloads/DIRECTORY_2014.pdf https://www.nbte.gov.ng/downl Lincom, pp. 350-365. oads/DIRECTORY_2014.pdf Oso, L. (2012). Press and politics in Odunlami, D. (2014). Journalism Nigeria: On whose side? The and mass communication 47th Edition of the Inaugural education in Nigeria: In search Lecture Series of Lagos State of the right pedagogy. Journal University, Ojo (pp. 2-40). of Literature, Languages and Lagos, Nigeria. Linguistics, 3(1), 45-49 Seelig, M. (2010). Journalism and Okoro, N. Obayi, P. & Onyebuchi, mass communication A. (2013). The status and education: The impact of challenges of mass technology on pedagogy in communication education in exploration in media ecology. Nigeria. International Journal New York: Hampton Press Inc. of Research in Arts and Whitt, J. (1995). Exciting the Ivory Social Sciences, 5(1), 227-238. Omojola O. (2008). Toward global Tower to revisit the newsroom. ethics: Exploring the Journalism & Mass perspectives of local media Communication Educator, stakeholders. Ecquid Novi: 50(1), 86-91 African Journalism Series, 29 (2), p. 173-187. . Communication Educator, 50(1), 86-91. http://www.journalism.co.za/images/april2009/proliferation%20of%20institutions.doc
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