ABSTRACT
The study examined the
impact of newspapers coverage of the activities of the Economics and Financial
Crime Commission (EFCC) on the People. (A case study of Ilesha East Local
Government) without doubt mass media play as very crucial role as the fourth
estate of the realm especially in serving as the major watch dog to the people
in authority. Mass media especially television has been able to educate,
enlighten and inform the general public on the effect of corruption on our
national development while mass media have not relented in exposing corrupt
leaders, it always pattern with various anti graft agencies such as the EFCC,
ICPC and the Nigerian Police to build a corrupt free nation. However, critical
reviews to related literature were made. Relevant theories were used to gratify
the study. Quantitative research design was used in which cross-sectional
survey method was adopted while the data collection instrument was
questionnaire. From the analysis of the findings using frequency and percentage
statistics table, it is very safe to conclude that mass media have been a major
instrument to wage war against corruption and corrupt practices in Nigeria. The
media are performing significant roles in the anti corruption campaign and
print media is not left out of this campaign. The media are indispensable tool
for effective campaign against corruption in Nigeria. Mass media are actually
trying their best in ensuring that we live a crime free country through
constant anti-corruption programme, expose corrupt leaders and host of
others. Mass media houses do partner
with the concern anti- corruption agencies to fight corrupting to the root.
Finally, having concluded, the following are some of the recommendations made:
The Economics and Financial Crime Commission should act within the law that
establish it and ascertain complacence with ethics of the profession. That the
broadcasting media and newspaper should be objective in their coverage and
reportage of event without political or ethnic influence. It is recommended
that picture and cartoon should be used to authenticate stories and news items.
Newspaper should publish new on the activities of EFCC on the front page
instead of buried most of their news item in the inside page.
