THE USE OF STATE BROADCAST MEDIA AS PROPAGANDA MACHINERY BY STATE GOVERNMENT


THE USE OF STATE BROADCAST MEDIA AS PROPAGANDA MACHINERY BY STATE GOVERNMENT

ABSTRACT

In several quarters, there have been allegation making round, that state governments use their state Broadcast media as propaganda machinery. The focus is to investigate such allegation using Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) radio/TV as a case study. The study was based on critical theory by staurt Hall. The theory views the means by which the “haves of society gain the willing support of the “have nots” to maintain the status quo. The study uses empirical method observing the five chapters structural arrangement, with each chapter assigned a specific role to play for the overall success of producing a reliable result. The researcher consulted relevant literature to raise secondary data while survey method was used to generate primary data for analysis. The data generated using questionnaire techniques were tested using chi-share goodness of fit test formular. Data were presented in tables and extensively discussed to enable the researcher draw his conclusion and make some recommendations. The researcher though did not find Enugu state government using it’s broadcast outfits as propaganda machinery, but strongly recommends that the management of the broadcast stations should overhaul it’s programmes in order to drop those perceived by the media audiences as sycophantic, wherein presenters use them to sing praises for the state government unnecessarily.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page                       i

Approval page                    ii

Dedication                  iii

Acknowledgements              iv

Table of contents              vii

Abstract     x

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study    1

1.2 Statement of the study    4

1.3 Objectives of the study      6

1.4 Significance of the study     8

1.5 Research questions     9

1.6 Research hypotheses     10

1.7 Definitions of terms     11

1.8 Assumptions of the study     13

1.9 Limitation of the study     14

     References     16

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Sources of literature    18

2.2 Review of the literature     18

2.3 Theoretical framework    31

2.4 Summary of the literature reviewed     32

     References     34

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 The research design      37

3.2 Area of the study     37

3.3 Population of the study     38

3.4 Research sample and sampling techniques      38

3.5 Instrument used for data collection     40

3.6 Data collection     41

3.7 Data analysis     41

   References     42

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

4.1 Data presentation and analysis    43

4.2 Hypothesis testing     50

4.3 Discussion of findings     54

      References    59

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON FURTHER STUDIES.

5.1 Summary     60

5.2 Conclusion     61

5.3 Recommendations on further studies     62

     Bibliography    64

    Appendix     68

    Questionnaire.    6

CHAPTER ONE

1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Broadcasting, according to Robert White (1999:485) was introduced as a form of military communication in the 1920’s, the apogee of nationalism and government propaganda. Dominick (1990:175) one of the striking facts about broadcasting is that it was invented by young people for example, Marconi who developed wireless transmitter was only twenty-three when he did that and Reginald Fessenden made his first radiophone broadcast when he was thirty-four. But, can the adult misuse or abuse broadcasting media because it was the brainchild of the young people? So it could be misused by the powers that be. Quoting Aiyetan (2002) Galadima (2003:260) “public office holders believe they can do anything and get away with it as long as they can control media, or get a good journalist to do the dirty job of lying with facts”.

Odumegwu Ojukwu, also observed thus:

When a public office holder does something outlandish,the media sing his praises instead of  condemning him than concentrating on more important national or state issues. (cited by Gdadima, 2003: 261)

In a vehement support of Ojukwu’s Observation, Ternakur (2003:236) Citing Nwankwo (1987), describes the Nigerian mass media as “government said” media is not out of place. Government reflects the will and interests of the class that controls the existing mode of production, power bloc and political machinery in their media outfits.

Neither the government nor their media workers ever agree that they misuse the media. Every journalist disassociates himself or herself from the term “propaganda”. But Casey (1960:232) “the problem every media of communication faces is separating news from propaganda”. Under a free system, one can distinguish between journalist and a propagandist. Both are interested informers. But, journalists seek news and serve the producers of news and not the consumers of news. In the Nigerian government - owned media, journalists are propagandists. They use all known propaganda devices to achieve the aim of their pay-masters.

        According to Junhao Hong, (1997:223), “Chinese government uses broadcast media to conduct propaganda campaigns”. The question is, is propaganda bad? In answer to this question, Ebeze (2003: 219) “Propaganda is not composed of lies and tell stories. It operates with many different kinds of truth, half-truths, limited-truths and truth out of context.”      

        The author quoted Braque (1999) “modern propaganda introduces new dimensions which tend towards education and enlightenment.

        Broadcasting media started in Nigeria in the 1930s. Ebo (1994:43) by 1936, radio made its debut when the first Radio Distribution Service through rediffusion sets became operational in Lagos, Nigeria. But, what is today known as Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) was first opened on October 1, 1960 when it was called Eastern Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (ENBC). Having operated for forty-eight years now, it will be proper for a study of this nature in order to ascertain from an independent source whether government has used it as propaganda machinery or other wise. 

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

        All over the world, especially third world countries with less degree of free press, government has manipulated the masses using broadcasting media. Broadcasting is volatile and its potentials are unending satisfaction, as in print media. It has great potentials in information dissemination, education enlightenment, political socialization, and socio-cultural orientation. Most people form their opinions based on what they learned from the mass media. Regrettably, observed schramm (1971), quoted by Ebeze (200:221)

Forming an opinion becomes more difficult when a person does not have access to adequate information ……… this information will help individual to form an opinion.

When the masses are disinformed, or uninformed due to excessive censorship or punitive control measures of state owned media by the government, the public might react and take law into their hands. For instance, between 2000 and 2002, there were instances when aggrieved media audiences in Anambra, Imo and Abia states resorted to jungle justice by invading and attacking Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) Awka, Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) Oweri, and Broadcasting Corporation of Abia (BCA) Umuahia. The attacks on the broadcasting media stations were as a result of unprofessional reportage of election news. The three mentioned broadcast stations are not alone in unprofessional broadcasting.

        Since ESBS is one of the state governments – owned broadcasting media stations, it could be involved in state government propaganda machinery, like others. Therefore, the problem of this study is what the  use of state broadcast media as propaganda by state government  can cause to opinion formation, information need, education and political socialization of those who expose themselves to state broadcast media. The tendency of disinformation and propaganda, the type defined by Lasswell (1937) “Propaganda are techniques of influencing human actions by the manipulation of representation” are prone to exist in a society where government misuses the media.

Moguluwa (2004:159). Government must avoid any form of deceit and misleading information. But, government often prefers negative propaganda while seeking support from the masses to good public relations practice.

Propaganda machinery in information dissemination has a  lot of negative consequences on the media audience especially if it comes from state government  via its media, so a study of this type can not be ignored at this time

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

Sycophancy flattery and praise singing have been promoted to higher disturbing levels, more especially in political broadcasting ……. State owned broadcast media stations have perfected the crude and irritating art of praise singing for governors and their officials (Umechukwu, 2000:13).

        Infact, a sycophant journalist is a source of irritation to media audiences who often see them through the falseness of the media content packaged by the unethical singer. Sycophancy, in every ramification, kills the spirit of investigative journalism, especially among young reporters, who meet praise-singing and see it as the mainstream in journalism practice.  

Based on this seemingly observation, the objectives of this study includes.

1.     To determine whether ESBS is involved in sycophantic formalism.

2.     To find out whether its audiences have ever risen to attack its premises and stations for unethical reporting.

3.     To determine the level of government censorship of the broadcast media outputs.

4.     To find out how friendly is the station to state ruling political party’s opposition groups.

5.     To determine the pattern of recruitment of journalists into the organization.

1.4   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

        The benefits of this study are numerous. The Use of state Broadcast media as Propaganda Machinery by State Governments, demands serious empirical investigation because of it’s significance. For example.

a.     The study result will confirm whether state governments use state broadcast media as propaganda machinery 

b.     The study will expose the level of state government involvement in the management, and staff recruitment in the stations.

c.      The study will expose the level of sycophantic practise in the state broadcast media.

d.     The result of the study will serve as reference materials for further studies in management, government and mass communication 

e.     Both state government and management of ESBS will find the study useful in many aspects  

1.5   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

        A number of questions have been raised and answers to such questions definitely shall provide solution to the problem of state government misuse of state broadcast media organizations. The belief of this researcher is that the following research questions will provide focus and direct his attention to major issues in the identified problem, and the questions are.

A.     Do the respondents observe ESBS as practicing sycophantic broadcasting?

B.     Whether the respondents can remember any time ESBS audience rose against its unprofessional reportage of state matters?

C.     Are the respondents aware that state government do censor their broadcast media news items?

D.     Can the respondents recall any time state broadcast media ever showed equal and balanced coverage and reportage of opposition groups activities with state government own activities?

E.     Do the respondents know the method and pattern of staff recruitment in ESBS organization?

1.6 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

Ho:  Respondents do not observe that ESBS practice sycophantic broadcasting.

H1:  Respondents do observe that ESBS practice sycophantic broadcasting.

Ho:  Respondents cannot remember when the aggrieved ESBS audience rose against it’s unethical broadcasting.

H2:  Respondents can remember when the aggrieved ESBS audience rose against it’s unethical broadcasting.

Ho:  Respondents are not aware that state government do censor their broadcast media news items.

H3:  Respondents are aware that state government do censor their broadcast media news items.

Ho:  Respondents cannot recall when ESBS was balancing event coverage between the state government and its opposition groups.

H4:  The respondent can recall when ESBS was balancing event coverage between the state government and its opposition groups

Ho:  Respondents do not know very well how media workers are recruited in ESBS organization.

H5:  Respondents know very well how media workers are recruited in ESBS organizations.

1.7   DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

In order to avoid the readers misinterpretation of certain words or terms contained in the title of this work, the researcher defined the terms conceptionally and operationally. Such words and terms are:

1.     State broadcast media

2.      Propaganda

3.      State government

A.     CONCEPTUAL DEFINITIONS

i.      State Broadcast Media: They are very potent mass media which combine audio, vision and motion in transmission of news and programmes.

ii.     Propaganda: This is an expression of opinion or action by individuals or groups deliberately designed to influence opinions or actions of other individuals or groups with references to predetermined ends

iii.    State Government: A type of government, according to the Nigerian constitution, described as the second. tier of government.

B      OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS.

i.      State Broadcast Media: broadcast media of the Enugu state of Nigeria which comprises Enugu state broadcasting service [radio station and television station] ie ESBS Fm radio and ESBS UHF television.

ii.     Propaganda: It is any process in which the government of Enugu state, military or civilian, uses to manipulate information and news via its broadcast media to the audiences.

iii.    State Government: This is the government of Enugu state of Nigeria, with its capital in Enugu.

1.8   ASSUMPTIONS OF THE STUDY

The researcher’s interest in carrying out this study at this time is informed of the fact of mounting criticisms against state governments misuse of state government broadcast media. Infact between 2000 and 2005 across South East Geo- Political Zone the state broadcast media audiences had cried foul of unprofessional broadcasting. In Abia, Anambra and Imo aggrieved media audiences rose against unethical political broadcasting and attacked both the media workers and stations’ property in several occasions. Also at Ebonyi, it was observed that state broadcast media was on extension of the state governor’s wife kitchen. It was alleged that the governor’s wife could sit down in her kitchen and give order for any presenter to be punished for saying what she did not like.

        Therefore, this researcher assumes that:

That ESBS, being a state broadcast media outfit cannot be exempted from state government manipulation. That the station must be involved in sycophantic broadcasting in order to please state government. Staff recruitment in the station may has strong political undertone or biases.

1.9 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

        Uzoagulu (1998:167) limitations of the study refers to shortcomings, difficulties and problems found in the design and the execution of the research project which in the views of researcher could affect the fidelity and generability of the findings. In this study which is a part of class work, there are some obvious limitations which include:

Limited time frame for indepth investigation Lack of fund to sample many respondents in the three geo-political zones of Enugu North, Enugu East and Enugu West. Problem of accesing information as some of the ESBS staff refused to open-up and give responses to some probing questions. Lack of co-operation by the members of public as some prospective respondents refused to accept the researcher’s questionnaire copies for undisclosed reasons.

REFERENCE

Anikpo, Mark (1990) Foundation of Social Sciences Research: a        Methodological Guide for Studies. Enugu: Abic Publishers.

Casey, Ralph D. (1960) “The Press, Propaganda and Groups” in       Willbur Schram (Ed) Mass. Communications. London.   University of Illionis Press.

Ebo, Stella Joan (1994) Broadcasting Production and       Management . Enugu; Chukstar Press.

Moguluwa, Shed Chinwuba, (2004) “Towards Effective    Combination and Utilization of Public Relations, Propaganda and Publicity an Conflict and Crisis       Management”, in Ikechukwu E. Nwosu and Des Wilson    (eds) Communication, Media End Conflict Management in Nigeria. Enugu: Prime Target L.T.D.

Ternakur, Jude (2003) “Mass Media and Political Violence in     Nigeria”, in Ikechukwu E. Nwosu (ed) POLIMEDIA:Media     and Politics in Nigeria. Enugu: Prime Targes L.T.D.

Uzoagulu,Aloysius E. (1998) Practical Guide Writing Research   Project Reports in Tertiary Institutions. Enugu. John     Jacob Classic Publishers L.T.D          

.

THE USE OF STATE BROADCAST MEDIA AS PROPAGANDA MACHINERY BY STATE GOVERNMENT



TYPE IN YOUR TOPIC AND CLICK SEARCH.






RESEARCHWAP.NET

Researchwap.net is an online repository for free project topics and research materials, articles and custom writing of research works. We’re an online resource centre that provides a vast database for students to access numerous research project topics and materials. Researchwap.net guides and assist Postgraduate, Undergraduate and Final Year Students with well researched and quality project topics, topic ideas, research guides and project materials. We’re reliable and trustworthy, and we really understand what is called “time factor”, that is why we’ve simplified the process so that students can get their research projects ready on time. Our platform provides more educational services, such as hiring a writer, research analysis, and software for computer science research and we also seriously adhere to a timely delivery.

TESTIMONIES FROM OUR CLIENTS


Please feel free to carefully review some written and captured responses from our satisfied clients.

  • "Exceptionally outstanding. Highly recommend for all who wish to have effective and excellent project defence. Easily Accessable, Affordable, Effective and effective."

    Debby Henry George, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA.
  • "I saw this website on facebook page and I did not even bother since I was in a hurry to complete my project. But I am totally amazed that when I visited the website and saw the topic I was looking for and I decided to give a try and now I have received it within an hour after ordering the material. Am grateful guys!"

    Hilary Yusuf, United States International University Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • "Researchwap.net is a website I recommend to all student and researchers within and outside the country. The web owners are doing great job and I appreciate them for that. Once again, thank you very much "researchwap.net" and God bless you and your business! ."

    Debby Henry George, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA.
  • "Great User Experience, Nice flows and Superb functionalities.The app is indeed a great tech innovation for greasing the wheels of final year, research and other pedagogical related project works. A trial would definitely convince you."

    Lamilare Valentine, Kwame Nkrumah University, Kumasi, Ghana.
  • "I love what you guys are doing, your material guided me well through my research. Thank you for helping me achieve academic success."

    Sampson, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
  • "researchwap.com is God-sent! I got good grades in my seminar and project with the help of your service, thank you soooooo much."

    Cynthia, Akwa Ibom State University .
  • "Sorry, it was in my spam folder all along, I should have looked it up properly first. Please keep up the good work, your team is quite commited. Am grateful...I will certainly refer my friends too."

    Elizabeth, Obafemi Awolowo University
  • "Am happy the defense went well, thanks to your articles. I may not be able to express how grateful I am for all your assistance, but on my honour, I owe you guys a good number of referrals. Thank you once again."

    Ali Olanrewaju, Lagos State University.
  • "My Dear Researchwap, initially I never believed one can actually do honest business transactions with Nigerians online until i stumbled into your website. You have broken a new legacy of record as far as am concerned. Keep up the good work!"

    Willie Ekereobong, University of Port Harcourt.
  • "WOW, SO IT'S TRUE??!! I can't believe I got this quality work for just 3k...I thought it was scam ooo. I wouldn't mind if it goes for over 5k, its worth it. Thank you!"

    Theressa, Igbinedion University.
  • "I did not see my project topic on your website so I decided to call your customer care number, the attention I got was epic! I got help from the beginning to the end of my project in just 3 days, they even taught me how to defend my project and I got a 'B' at the end. Thank you so much researchwap.com, infact, I owe my graduating well today to you guys...."

    Joseph, Abia state Polytechnic.
  • "My friend told me about ResearchWap website, I doubted her until I saw her receive her full project in less than 15 miniutes, I tried mine too and got it same, right now, am telling everyone in my school about researchwap.com, no one has to suffer any more writing their project. Thank you for making life easy for me and my fellow students... Keep up the good work"

    Christiana, Landmark University .
  • "I wish I knew you guys when I wrote my first degree project, it took so much time and effort then. Now, with just a click of a button, I got my complete project in less than 15 minutes. You guys are too amazing!."

    Musa, Federal University of Technology Minna
  • "I was scared at first when I saw your website but I decided to risk my last 3k and surprisingly I got my complete project in my email box instantly. This is so nice!!!."

    Ali Obafemi, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Niger State.
  • To contribute to our success story, send us a feedback or please kindly call 2348037664978.
    Then your comment and contact will be published here also with your consent.

    Thank you for choosing researchwap.com.