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1. Possible implications of modern mass media for traditional communication in a Nigerian rural setting

Description:
This article looks at two models of communication existing in a Nigerian rural environment: the traditional, largely interpersonal and interactive model, and the modem, mass mediated, impersonal system. Drawing from sociological theories of change, it finds that the traditional and modem (mass) communication systems interact in interesting ways as a new socio-economic system evolves within the traditional structures of village life. In spite of the imposed foreign language (English) which is the dominant transmission language of the modem mass media, there are significant and complementary outcomes of the interaction between the two modes of communication. The article argues, however, that the traditional systems of communication will retain their role in the transmission of knowledge and information, cultivation of beliefs, and other socialization processes for quite some time to come.
Date Issued:
1991-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:
Michigan State University. Libraries
Collection:
Africa Media Review

2. From indigenous communication to modern television

Description:
This paper discusses the development of modern mass media as a necessary attribute of the evolution of an integral Nigerian nation out of the many traditional ethnic communities. It shows that the traditional media which were the precolonial channels of communication were limited in the conduct of national commerce, religion, education, politics and government. The paper, however, contends that the potentials of the traditional media have not been fully explored, and calls for research to establish what roles such media can play in modern politics, and in grassroot development generally.
Date Issued:
1987-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:
Michigan State University. Libraries
Collection:
Africa Media Review

3. The transition and the media

Description:
This essay examines the role which the Nigerian media played in the transition from military rule to elected civilian government. It observes that the immediate political context of the transition was a post-Abacha liberalizing military administration as well as a resurgent civil society. This context meant that the media was able to play a relatively robust role in reporting and influencing the transition although the fact that the Abdulsalami Abubakar regime refused to repeal several "death decrees" targeted at the media remained a key constraining factor on the boldness and imaginativeness of the press in its reporting and monitoring of the transition. Furthermore, while the media, in all its plurality, offered coverage to all of the political parties, it was equally clear that the better financially-endowed People's Democratic Party (PDP) which also emerged as the dominant party was able to win greater advantage over the two other political parties, namely, the All People's Party and the Alliance for Democracy, through the purchase of advertisement space in the print and electronic media. On the whole, the Nigerian media played its role in the transition with credit and whatever weaknesses are observed in its performance and in the skewing of the outcomes of the transition owe more to the shallowness of the transition itself and less to the shortcomings of the media.
Date Issued:
2000-12-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:
Michigan State University. Libraries
Collection:
African Journal of Political Science

4. Patterns of ownership and accessibility to information and media facilities in democratizing the media in Nigeria

Description:
This article hypothesizes that the extent of democratization of the mass media in any society is a function of two factors: accessibility to information and the patterns of media ownership in the society. It holds that these two factors determine the extent to which there is free flow of information, the extent to which the citizens have access to information, the degree of mobilization and participation, and the extent to which the society can be described as democratized. It points out, however, that these two factors are not mutually exclusive because accessibility can be a function of ownership; but some factors which come under accessibility are not traceable to patterns of ownership. The articles also notes that mere guarantee of free press or free speech does not ensure that every citizen has access to information and to the channels through which he can express himself.
Date Issued:
1988-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:
Michigan State University. Libraries
Collection:
Africa Media Review

5. Domestic financing of communication in developing countries

Description:
This a case study of the Nigerian communication situation which examined the efforts by this developing country towards the mobilisation of domestic resources to finance communication industry. The study revealed that except, during the period 1981-1985, planned public investment in the communication sector has been moderately high at a level of 6.1% of aggregate ex ante expenditure. For the period 1960-1980, actual communications expenditure as a ratio of actual total expenditure was lower at an average of 4.5%. Total sector performance measured by the degree of resistance to plan distortions was lower for the communication sector relative to aggregate performance throughout the twenty four year period beginning in 1962, except during the second development plan period between 1970-1974. The trend in domestic public financing appears to have been dictated by two factors, namely the philosophy of economic planning and the fluctuations in economic fortunes. The oil book of the mid 1970s prompted the largest planned allocation of 9% during the period 1975-1980, although realized expenditure "fell slightly below to a level of 7.2%. The article observes that these observed trends show clearly that there does not seem to have been any strong commitment by the Nigerian government to communication services to meet the needs of a significant portion of the population, especially those in the rural areas, and notes that this situation is not likely to change soon due to that country's present poor economy and the overemphasis by the government on market forces.
Date Issued:
1988-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:
Michigan State University. Libraries
Collection:
Africa Media Review

6. On mass communication and mass incommunication in Nigeria

Description:
Despite the prevalence of mass media institutions and 'paraphernalia' in Nigeria, the Nigerian masses still remain marginalized and denied their right to communicate through the conventional mass media. This is due to the structure of mass media ownership and distribution which reflects pro-urban concentration and bias. This article argues that given this reality, one cannot legitimately and accurately talk of 'mass' communication in Nigeria since the media of mass communication is used mainly to talk to the masses rather than with the masses; neither are they used by the masses themselves to talk with each other. To this extent, therefore, there is a state of 'mass incommunication' in Nigeria, a state which calls for urgent change through democratization of the mass media.
Date Issued:
1990-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:
Michigan State University. Libraries
Collection:
Africa Media Review

7. Political communications

Description:
This paper examines mass media bias in Nigerian political communications. It argues that ownership of the mass media in Nigeria tends to determine how they are used for political communications in the country. Other factors, such as ethnicity, religion, literacy, language of communication, legal limitations, political and socio-economic conditions, are also considered. The paper maintains, however, that the fact of ownership is not only the key which determines how the mass media are used for moulding the citizen's perception of political reality in the country, but that it is also a more precise means of understanding and investigating the role of the press in political stability or instability, national integration or disintegration. It concludes that as Nigeria approaches a third attempt at democratic rule in socio-economic conditions which are less propitious than in the past, there is a need for the Nigerian mass media to operate in a way which contributes to national integration. It suggests the need to restructure the media ownership pattern and to establish a Nigerian Media Advisory Council.
Date Issued:
1991-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:
Michigan State University. Libraries
Collection:
Africa Media Review