An Evaluation Of Roles Of The Media And National Security In Nigeria

An Evaluation Of Roles Of The Media And National Security In Nigeria

Initial Chapter

Introduction

1.1 Context of the Study

The mass media are a society’s means of disseminating and receiving information. Newspapers, periodicals, radio, and television are the traditional instruments of mass media for the contemporary man. The journalist is a human being who studies other humans, writes about them, and uses them as his primary source of information. Journalism is essentially a social relationship. Depending on the nature of the information disseminated by the journalist, it may be detrimental or beneficial. This is where security enters into play. The media convey messages regarding a specific society. No one else can fill this position. To attain a goal, the information is transmitted across a destination. Due to its responsibilities in informing and educating the populace, the Nigerian press, like that of any other nation, is always portrayed as the epicenter of any national crisis. These duties could fall under the mass media’s social responsibility.

Since 1984, Nigeria has struggled with political, economic, and social instability. The media has not been an exception; since then, the press has been subjected to numerous institutional manipulations. Over time, the institution of the media has been reduced to mere instruments used by the ruling class to legitimize and perpetuate their unjust rule. Due to the difficulties faced by the media in discharging its statutory responsibilities in Nigeria, it has become easier to impose an illegitimate role upon it. Poor remuneration, poor service conditions, job insecurity, nepotism, exposure to hazards, inadequate research and development facilities, etc., have placed media practitioners and their elites at the discretion of the political class. Consequently, the media has become susceptible to the demands of the political class. This is further supported by the growing number of media organizations in Nigeria. This shift in the ownership structure of the media has contributed to the hazardous trend of promoting political, economic, and social interests in Nigeria through the media.

Professionally, security could be defined as the prevention of illicit possession or the protection of an individual, group, or location from attack. It also protects lives and property from intruders, assault, trespassing, and larceny. National security can be defined as the government’s ability to safeguard the country from external aggression and internal insurrection. National security can also be defined as the safeguarding of citizens’ lives, liberties, dignity, and property. It also involves safeguarding the nation’s resources, territory, sovereignty, and legal institutions. The purpose of national security is to ensure that all citizens enjoy just and equitable living conditions.

In Nigeria, there have been increasing threats to national security, especially in light of the internal and external pressure that has been exerted on the country in recent years as a result of politics, fluctuations in the global oil price, religious bigotry, and the rise of ethnic militia. These threats have manifested themselves as an increase in criminal activity and a near collapse of law and order. By maintaining national consciousness, the media can contribute to national security. Wali is of the opinion that:

In any society, the role of the press includes environmental surveillance, the coordination of societal components in response to the environment, and the transmission of the social heritage.

State security is accomplished primarily through two methods: administrative method first. This is accomplished through the use of intelligence and counterintelligence. Second, for the purposes of this study, repressive legislation, such as the Official Secret Act and the Seditious Act, is the primary concern.

Expression and press freedom are essential for a genuine democracy. Given that the media is the gatekeeper for the transmission of information about a particular society, it is a crucial component of democracy. No one else can fill this position. The first characteristic of a democracy is press freedom, and the second is the recognition of fundamental human rights. These rights are enshrined in chapter four of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as freedom of speech and press liberties:

Every individual has the right to freedom of expression, including the right to hold opinions and to receive and transmit information and ideas without interference.

The mass media in Nigeria can have a significant impact on national security.

A competent media or mass media professional must genuinely care about people. Issues that benefit the general public and uphold fairness, justice, national unity, and international cooperation are the primary focus. In light of this, this study examines national security and the role of the press in Nigeria. The police, who are primarily responsible for maintaining law and order on behalf of the public, are inevitably placed in a position where close cooperation with the media is necessary for combating crime and ensuring national security.

The media can mobilize individuals to attain the desired state security objective. People are mobilized through ideological exposure and political education into the socio-cultural factors that govern their behavior in order to instill in them a sense of self-respect and patriotism for the collective, as well as the conviction that they can control their own destinies by controlling nature and organizing themselves.

Through espionage, which a nation, organization, or individual uses to obtain information about the interests of another country to which they are not legally entitled, the media could pose a threat to national security. For hostile purposes, the information desired pertains to the secret affairs of the target nation in strategic areas such as the military, industries, politics, and technology, among others. Additional security threats include propaganda, terrorism, subversion, sabotage, insurgency, and guerilla warfare.

1.2 Statement of the Issue

The alarming increase in violent crimes is one of the most significant social problems Nigeria faces today. Crime is a reflection of a society’s character. In light of this, this study examines the function of the media in Nigeria’s national security. In this study, therefore, all references to the media will emphasize the media’s primary role as a watchdog capable of sounding the alarm on significant national issues. The media’s ability to determine what the public should read, watch, and listen to has never been questioned. What has been questioned is the capacity of those who hold such immense power to use it prudently and in the public interest.

The media is the gatekeeper for the transmission of information about a society. No one else is authorized or permitted to perform this role. The greatest challenge facing Nigerian mass media today is how to remain relevant to Nigerian society. In a developing country like Nigeria, where democracy is being tested and national institutions are taking shape, it is vitally important for the media to establish its relevance. If the media wishes to maintain its independence and contribute to the building of national unity, it must tread carefully and exercise great discretion. In light of this, this study will evaluate the role of the media in national security in Nigeria from 1984, when General Muhammad Buhari issued Decree No. 2 that threatened press freedom, to 2007, when the Freedom of Information Bill (FOB) was being debated.

1.3 Objectives of the Research

These are the objectives of this study:

1. Analyze Nigeria’s media and national security from 1984 to 2007

2. Provide pertinent information regarding the media and national security in Nigeria

Examine the connection between the media and national security

4. Evaluate the impact of the media on Nigeria’s national security

1.4 Importance of the Research

Even though the Nigerian government is spending more on security, the dread of insecurity among some Nigerians is growing. This is a challenge not only for the government, but also for the media and the larger society. This is the rationale behind this study. Expression and press freedom are essential for a genuine democracy. It is a crucial component of a genuine democracy. There are two defining characteristics of a democracy: the freedom of the press and the recognition of basic human rights. Chapter four of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria contains these liberties.

1.5 Investigative Questions

This investigation would be guided by the following questions:

Between 1984 and 2007, what was the relationship between the media and national security in Nigeria?

What effect did the media have on state security during the study period?

How did state security operations affect the functions of the media?

How did media activities impact national security?

1.6 Research Methodology

The study employs a historical approach to examine the function of the media in Nigeria’s national security from 1984 to 2007. The study would rely heavily on secondary sources, including text books, journal articles, newspaper articles, and literature on the topic.

1.7 Range and Restrictions of the Study

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the media on Nigeria’s national security. This study was conducted because 2003 was the year that Nigerians and the media were subjected to draconian media laws. The year 2007 has been chosen as the endpoint for this study because it was in that year that mass media employees began agitating for greater freedom by petitioning the government for a Freedom of Information Bill (FOB). The study would investigate the relationship between mass media and state security agents during the study period. The study would evaluate the effect of media function on national security.

1.8 Literature Review

Press Freedom and National Security by Wali provides a comprehensive analysis of what security entails and a wealth of information on press freedom. Regarding issues of state security and press freedom, the book was deemed to be extremely helpful. However, the text did not discuss current problems faced by media professionals.

Contemporary Issues in Mass Media/or Development and National Security by Akinfeleye covers numerous media-related topics. The book is a collection of articles published in chapters by media industry stakeholders. Several chapters of the book proved helpful for this research.

Bako’s Nigerian Human Rights Report is a summary of General Sanni Abacha’s four years of despotic and incompetent rule in Nigeria. The publication details the grievous violations of human rights committed by the Abacha regime and reports on the improvements that have occurred since the rule of General Abdul salaam Abubakar. This study concurs with Bako’s assessment that “the Nigerian crisis, while not as dire as it once was, remains unresolved.”

The 1998 Annual Report on the Human Right Situation in Nigeria, published by the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR), is a record of the terrible atrocities committed against Nigerians and the egregious violations of human rights by the General Sanni Abacha junta. The publication also details a number of other human rights violations that, while not the direct responsibility of the junta in question, were largely caused by the socio-economic disorder and political disarray that it and its predecessors engendered.

“Nigerian Students and the Challenges of Leadership” by Ogunye et al. consists of papers and discussions from a leadership training workshop for students held at Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife. The book addressed sensitive topics such as the difficulties of political leadership in modern Nigeria, cultism, and adolescent violence.