ASSESSMENT OF THE WATCHDOG ROLE OF THE MASS MEDIA IN NIGERIA REFERENCE TO THE FORTH REPUBLIC

ABSTRACT

This study explain the assessment of the watchdog role of the mass media in Nigeria. It focus on how mass media has help in the assessment of the watchdog role in Nigeria. The qualitative method of data collection is use of analyze that data collected from questionnaire respondents interview in the course of the research. Conclusion and recommendation is drawn at the end of the study, indicating the results of research findings, the problems the solution proffered on the ways through which mass media can be more active if properly implemented.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1Background of the Study

The Nigeria media otherwise known as the fourth state of the realm is entrusted with several duties to the public one of these duties is keeping the public abreast of the happenings in the society , be it in government or private, in performing these functions, it is rightly protected by the constitution to the referee for effective operations.

The Nigeria media is poised to carry out its functions for the expected good of the general public to see that nothing goes on wrong out that the wrong are corrected. This explains why the media probs to know government and private sector following the constitutional provision. The media is expected to report and comment issue on with out fear or favour of the government and individuals

The watchdog role of the press in checking the foul play in government and political activities cannot be over emphasized, Adem 2006:14 says the mass media serves as the conduib for channeling alternative on national issues advanced by each and every political party in countries where political parties enjoy some measure of autonomy. The mans media could critique the policies and programmes of political parties and personalities of party candidates. They are electorates update about the conduct of election as at when electoral official release them. The watch dog role of the press was made manifest during the president Olusegun Obasanjos third term agenda in the early 2000.

The press perceived probed investigated and got facts of the foul play conceived by the formal president and without delay started setting agenda on the issue of tenure of office of the public official. This work attempts to explore the fourth republic in order to ascertain the performance of the Nigeria media performed her constitutional obligation as the watchdog of the society side for national peace and tranquility.

1.2Statement of Problem

There have been arrangements as to the roles played the press in checking foul plays in Nigeria mostly as it concerns politics, some people do say the media create hostility in the minds of the public and others saying it question the public through its enlightenment programmes over controversial issues rather than heating the polity as others claim.

This project is primary undertaken to ascertain these arguments and to know how far the media in Nigeria has played her fundamental role as watchdog of the society during the fourth republic 19992003

1.3Objectives of the Study

The general purpose of this study is to asses the performance of the media in checking foul play in Nigeria politics during the fourth republic. Specifically, the reason comes at.

i.Finding out if the Nigerian media played her watch dog role effectively during the fourth republic.

ii.Ascertaining the challenges the media focal in performing her watching role during the fourth republic.