Survival in Nigeria Political Terrain: The Challenges of the Mass Media

Abstract

The Section 22 of 1999 of  Nigerian constitution stipulates that the Press, Radio, TV, and other agencies of the Mass Media shall at all times free to uphold the responsibility of the government to the people, function as a watch over the activities of the government as and when necessary, making it difficult for the government unaccountable to the populace.This constitutional role of the Mass Media is far from being realized. There were often divergent and conflicting positions of the Media vs Government on the task of monitoring the implementation of the good of the publics, as well as the relationship of the press with Nigerian political leaders.The paper exposed the efforts of Nigerian Press before and after independence till date; the trend in the suppression of the Mass Media in Nigeria. And suggested ways to tackle the challenges.The paper also emphasizes on how Nigerians have had politicians\military more than the civilians. How they sought various way to curb and constrain the press through legislation, decrees, physical repression, incessant cases of suppression, muzzling, sanction, imprisonments, assignations, closure of the Media stations etc., as a result of the absence of express constitutional provision for Press freedom. It recommended that Journalists must encourage the populace to respect media men as true professionals, by performing professionally, that way the self-esteem of our calling, the credibility of the media and their relevance to the society will be enhanced.