CHAPTER
ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
The destructive impact of corruption in the live of nations
throughout the world is acknowledged. Corruption is perhaps the most important
factor that is impeding the accelerated socio-economic transformation of
developing or Less Developing Countries (LDCs) of the world. In fact, it is
recognized by development scholars that the level of reduction in corruption
has a very direct link to the level of economic development of nations in the
world.
The media and Civil Society groups have been identified as
the two very important weapons to fight the scourge of corruption worldwide. In
Nigeria,
the independent press, by which we refer to the newspapers and the
newsmagazines, have been actively involved in checking the excesses of
governments and as well as others in positions of authorities. Of course, the
story of the Nigerian mass media, especially the printed press, can be said to
be a story of struggle since the late nineteenth century when the first
newspaper Iwe Iroyin Yoruba was established in Abeokuta,
present day Ogun State.
The coming of newspapers like the Comet of Mr. Ali, the
Egyptian, the West African Pilot founded by the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and
later the Nigerian Tribune of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, among others, notched
up the opposition to colonial struggle especially against perceived undue
dominance, bad governance, injustice and corruption of the time. So, from the
struggle against colonial lordship, civilian misgovernance of the first
republic, military dictorship to the seeming lackluster performance in the
current civilian dispensation, the Nigerian print media, especially privately
owned, could be said to have indeed come a long way.
Corruption is coined from the Latin word; corruptus which
in essence means ‘to destroy’. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia offered that
Corruption is essentially an impairment of integrity, virtue or moral principle;
depravity, decay, and/or an inducement to wrong by improper or unlawful means,
a departure from the original or from what is pure or correct, and/or an agency
or influence that corrupts. The Encyclopedia listed different types of
corruption.
The most focused and far-reaching war against corruption in
Nigeria could be said to have started during the regime of the erstwhile
president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo especially with the establishment
ot the two Anti-graft bodies; The Independent Corrupt Practices and Related
Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC).
The establishment of the two bodies provided great impetus
for the press to perform the constitutionally ordained role of effectively
watching over the activities of the government so as to ensure efficient
survive delivery. Despite the strident criticism that the war was biased and
the agencies were being used to witch-hunt enemies of the government, the press
still provided great support to the antigraft agencies in its activities. A
search through Nigerian Newspapers and Magazines in the last nine years of new
democratic experiment show that corruption and corruption related matters are
among issues that take up sizeable percentage of spaces available in newspapers
and news magazines. Major Nigerian Newspapers usually carry between five to ten
corruption related new stories per edition. Most of editorial opinions and news
features also deal with issues of fighting the scourge of corruption and enthroning
transparency in government businesses. News Magazines such as The News and Tell
and some newspapers including The Guardian, the Nation, Punch, Tribune,
Vanguard, This Day and indeed virtually all Nigeria’s independent dailies have
been in the fore front of exposing corruption in high places through, obtaining
hard facts through painstaking investigative journalism.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Since the inauguration of EFCC as an anti graft agent by
the ACT 2000. It has ever been saddled with the responsibility of preventing
and fighting corruption. However, much have been heard about EFCC but little
has been reported about those that have been prosecuted since 2000 and suspects
on their watch list on a regular basis.
Many also see EFCC as a tool in hand of ruling party to
hand pick their opposition and to oppress. Similarly, little is known about
various money and other recoveries made by the EFCC, therefore, this research
intent to x-ray the role expected of mass media in reporting and disseminating
the activities of EFCC.
1.3 Research Questions
1.
Was
adequate coverage given to EFCC activities by Nigeria Newspapers?
2.
To
what extent do Nigeria Newspapers give prominence to the EFCC?
3.
What
kind of tone is used in the Newspapers reportage of such issue?
4.
What
image of the convicts was dominant in the reports?
5.
How
often is the photograph placement of EFCC activities by Nigeria Newspapers?
1.4 Purpose of the Study
- To know how mass media have been able to report EFCC activities.
- To study the problem facing mass media in reporting EFCC activities.
- To examine the relationship between the mass media and EFCC agency.
- To know if public are aware of EFCC activities through mass media.
- To know the opinion of masses concerning EFCC campaign.
1.5 Significant of the Study
The research findings will benefit not
only the mass communication students but also benefit media practitioners on
how they can use their media to fight corruption.
Will also enable government the need
to give press enough freedom to perform their day to day activities.
1.6 Limitation/Scope
There is no gain saying in the
fact that research work like this cannot be written without some hindrances
that include but not limited to this following:
1.
Time
is another hindrance as there is just limited time to complete the research
work
2.
There
is also a financial constrain in carrying out this research work.
3.
There
is little literature available under the topic to consult.
1.7 Definition of Terms
Role: It means the function, impact
or contribution
Mass Media: This include radio, television,
newspapers and magazine
EFCC: Economic and Financial Crime
Commission.
Activities: Day to day crusade of EFCC
against corruption.
Corruption: All forms of misappropriation
usually money or property belong to the general public or entity.
Anti- Graft
Agency: It is
anti corruption agent.
