ABSTRACT
The
study; “The role of mass media as an agent of political mobilization”. The
study used survey method of research with questionnaire. With a sample size of 465,
the study found that traditional media influenced Ihihe Uboma people to a large
extent during elections by ways of making them participate massively in the
voters’ card registration exercise, campaigns exercise, voting, knowledge of
political parties and their candidates, avoid violence during and after
elections and enable them know the voting time table. Finding shows that
voters’ education, provision of information, promotion of political candidates,
appeal for voter’s participation, encourage for free and fair elections, warn
against political violence, advise for maximum performance, attacking of
corrupt politicians and advocate for or against change of government were
various purposes through which mass media can be employed to serve during
elections. Finding also reveals that opposition party utilizes mass media in
their political campaigns more than did the ruling political party. The study
however shows that inadequate support, cultural variation, lack of government
interest in the media, static nature of some folk media forms and attacks and
intimidations were various challenges mass media practitioners face in their
practice during elections.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
This research touches on the various aspects of the
mass media as instruments of political mobilization. In other words, it
explores into the mass media as a mobilization agency during the political
transition period.
It is thus, an important assumption of the work that a
systematic study of political mobilization by mass media should include an
examination and the nature of operation of the mass media communication. The
mass media generally referred to both the print(s) and electronic media as
supported in section 22 of the 1989 constitution of Nigeria.
The press, radio, television and other agencies of the
mass media should at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives and
highlights the responsibility and accountability of the government to the
people.
The role of the mass media according to General Abacha
in his maiden independence broadcast on the 1st October 1995 was to
unform, educate and entertain the citizen.
Onyishi (1996) while highlighting on the role of the
mass media in democracy notes that the press not only sustains the democracy
principles but also end with transaction period. The media should help an ushering in
democracy they should play a crucial role in nurturing and sustaining the
success or failure of our practice of democratic government. To large extent,
their success depends on how well the mass media carries out their function as
the mid wife of democracy.
This research therefore is intended to investigate how
far the mass media had fulfilled this allowed obligation. It is hoped that the result of the work will
be useful to media practitioners in the proper performance of their duties.
1.2 STATEMENT
OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEMS:
In democracies, the mass media are the watch dog of
the people. The citizen are usually mobilized and unformed to created awareness
on the political culture.
By political culture, I refer to a system of politic
in which sovereignty is vested on the people rather than a small clique, or an
oligarchy, a political arrangement that places emphasis on the accountability
of polity where the rule of law, majority rule and constitutionalism is the
basic guiding principle.
Perhaps, it could be argued that the political crisis
that pervaded our recent past points to the fact that most of our people are
ignorant of an apathetic towards the country’s observe that in Nigeria
electioneering and voting pattern cannot
be validated, in the voting pattern of Nigerians and the possible estimation of
the voter attitude towards political
1.3 OBJECTIVES
OF THE STUDY
The level of political mobilization in Nigerian and Ihihe
Uboma state in particular seems to be very low.
Also the political crisis occurring in this country has equally been attributed
to several factors. The purpose of this study is to identify the reasons or
reasons that have contributed to these low political mobilization in
politics.
In doing so, what usually comes to mind is to ask the
question what is the reason for the low political participation in
politics and equally the causes of the constant political crisis? As usually,
it may be traced to several factors like low level of awareness and tribalism,
how can this awareness be obtained? This will lead us to this research topic.
Therefore, this study is intended to inquire into how
political mobilization as well as participation in politics and equally trace
the genesis of the political crisis that identifies the factors responsible and
solution sought.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE STUDY
It is expected that this study would be immense
benefit to the government, the mass media and the people of this country. This study will highlight the importance of the
mass media as a vehicle for political mobilization in a transition era.
Through the mass media, especially the radio and
television
might have a chance of having a viable political culture and help to choose a
leadership that will inculcate a viable and sustaining democracy. This will also give us a society blessed
with.
1.5 RESEARCH
QUESTIONS.
The basic question posted as a result of these problem
includes the following:
a. Have the media been participating in
elections in Nigeria and Ihihe Uboma in particular.
b. Has ethnic problem been hindering the
smooth conduct of election in this country?
c. Can the masses in the country be
mobilized and informed using mass media organ?
d. What
role has the mass media played to ensure a viable democracy?
1.6 LIMITATION OF
STUDY
Since the research is directed as the mass media and
political mobilization, the research is content on the broadcasting media in
Ihihe Uboma LGA).
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Conceptual and operational
definitions of terms
1. ROLE
a. Conceptual:
Persons or duties in an undertaking.
b. Operational: Function or part of the duty the mass
media dot o contribute national
political consciousness and development.
2. MASS MEDIA
b. Conceptual:Existing channel through which government and
its citizens communication to each other or means through which greater number
of people are reached spontaneously with information.
3. MOBILIZE
a. Conceptual:Render something or some body move form initial
position.
b. Operational: Cause people to be actively involved in
politics, to be politically minded and conscious and to believe in political
process and result.
4. CENSORSHIP:
a. Conception:
Process of finding faults from what ever somebody else does
b. Operational: Unlimited supervision of the activities
of the press by those news and commentaries with stipulated laws to punish what
seems to the government as conditions.