THE ROLE OF PRESS IN FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS (2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS)

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THE ROLE OF PRESS IN FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS (2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Election is a festival of democracy. It fosters an inclusive state; democracy rooted in popular sovereignty and sustainable peace and tests the competitive strength of political parties and leaders through programme and ideologies. In this context, it is important for the press to keep the hope of citizens’ by serving key roles in democratic initiatives, democratic consolidation, democratic expansion and democratic system. Since the press is the prime channel of transmitting electoral message, politics will be played out increasingly in communication space. Press can contribute to ease the nation’s transition process by creating election friendly environment, democratizing the public sphere and legitimizing political initiatives. These factors are essential to strengthen the integrative capacity of the political system and its external adaptability and open the citizens’ mind to universal principles of democracy human rights and rule of law. But, the public function of the press is largely contingent on its own framework of ownership finance, control and regulation Politicians talk more to the press than among themselves. It is the press that shapes their overall cognitive understanding about politics. A strong identification of citizens with political parties steered by the press provides greater motivation to vote and engage in politics. But, party is only a part of society, not the whole. The articulation of partisan contents marks the partial reporting of political truth. It mirrors only the ideological representation of society and contributes less to democratic well-formation. Citizenship begins with the membership of the state; therefore, Civic responsibility of the press requires a contribution to public opinion formation. In this process the press has to provide civic awareness to citizens, equip them with participatory Information and resources, stimulate active public engagement and foster meaningful dialogue and ownership of public in the agenda stem of post-election process. Familiarization of citizens with various ideas and issues such as knowledge about the transition management, objectives of the election, election system and processes, registration of voters, nomination of candidates, transparency of election process, neutrality of electoral and security officials, monitoring of code of conduct, roles of various agencies in improving the election environment, monitoring of human rights, redesigning the state, inclusive dispensation, durable peace etc is essential to provide the citizens a greater measure of free will and self-confidence and enable them to use their own political choice. The press has to work together with civil society and citizens to prevent electoral malpractices, such as vote buying and selling, character assassination of candidates, belittling national sensitiveness, social harmony and decent voting behavior, abuses of the state and market power, etc and enthuse in citizens a sense of reason, conscience and civic responsibility. The ability of the press in doing so places it in a esteemed position to make political with sufficient bearing for the nation and people.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The press is to serve the governed, not the governors. The government power to censor the press was abolished so that the press would remain free to censure the government. The press is protected so that it could bare the secrets, of government and inform the people, only a free and restrained press can effectively expose deception in government. And paramount among the responsibilities of a free press is the duty to prevent any part of the government from deceiving the people The work will therefore show to large extent the relevance and the role of press to live up to its responsibility to educate and enlighten members of the public about democratic principles and avoid adopting a sensational or divisive approach in coverage of political issues

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The objectives of the study are;

To examine how the press has fared and legally performed its role for a free and fair election

To ascertain the relationship between press and free and fair election

To assess the press performance in an election and the general contribution of the Nigeria press to a stable policy

To ascertain the impact of press report on free and fair election to general public

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;

H0: the press has not fared and legally performed its role for a free and fair election

H1:the press has fared and legally performed its role for a free and fair election

H02:there is no relationship between press and free and fair election

H2:there is relationship between press and free and fair election

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study will give a clear insight on the role of the press in the free and fair election. The study will be beneficial to students, press, INEC and the general public. The study will also serve as reference to other researchers that want to embark on this topic

1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study covers the role of the press in the free and fair election.The researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope of the study;

a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study

b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.

c) Organizational privacy: Limited Access to the selected auditing firm makes it difficult to get all the necessary and required information concerning the activities

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

DEFINITION OF SIGNIFICANT TERMS

Broadcast: this involves sending out programs, information, ideas to the public through the mass media for instance; mass media, radio, internet etc.

Conflict: it is a situation of disagreement occurring between entities, people, group or organization.

Elections: this is a system of choosing a person or group of people for positions in the society by a legal way of voting.

Enfranchise: this is the right given to an individual to participate in elections.

Electorate: these are the people in a given area or country who have the right to vote.

Malpractice: a system of ill behavior that does not foster positive responsiveness.

Media: It is the vehicle through which messages, information, ideas, demands and so on are passed across to the masses.

Mobilization: an act of organizing a group of people to partake in a task or incident in other to achieve a desired goal or objective.

Politics: these are activities connected with the state government or general affairs. It usually involves competition between different parties on leadership positions based on election.

Region: a large area of land usually without exact boarders that a country is usually divided into comprising of its own customs and government. For example in Nigeria we have the northern region.

Stigmatization: a feeling of unimportance, un-acceptance usually caused by the treatment that people give to you.

Mass media: it is an essential part of mass media which transmit pictures and sound signals over long distance through electromagnetic radiation. It is a medium of communication that enhances believability through its sight and sound appeal.

Democracy: a political system in which the people of the country rule through any form of government they choose to establish.

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