Exploring the ethical challenge of media ownership: Is Nigerian media’s role in good governance possible?

Abstract

Fundamental to the litany of Africa’s development issues is the crisis of governance. Naturally, good governance resonates as a panacea for this situation. In this, the role of the media as the bastion of democracy is indubitable. This article with focus on Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, situates the interplay of good governance and media practices within the media ownership debate. It argues that ownership patterns, pressures and politics have, for a long time, challenged the consistent and committed role of the media in deepening our march towards good governance. With clear case studies of media performances in the country over time, the article contends that the media might not totally be ready to take on the saddle of driving the democratic goals, as a result of the influence of ethnic/religious affiliation, political interest/affiliation and economic interest arising from the ownership shackles. The article returns a verdict of collective responsibility – viewing the failings of the media within the larger context of the failings of the social system in which the media are embedded.

Beyond Public and Private Ownership: Analysis of Media Ownership Patterns in Cameroon and Implications on Journalists’ Professional Aptitude

“…This sort of ownership pattern appears to be scarce in Nigeria, as Omenugha and Uzuegbunam (2015) noted further.…”

“…Media owners exert a lot of pressure on their media outlets thereby compromising the supposed independence of the media. In fact, the fundamental interest of the owners always prevails, and media independence can only come after the owner's interest has been satisfied, Jika (1984), cited in Omenugha and Uzuegbunam (2015). As far back as the 1980s, the author had seen the influence of the media in Nigerian society and described press freedom as nothing but a "hoax, a farce, a propaganda policy being branded by the ruling class to hoodwink the gullible masses" cited in Omenugha and Uzuegbunam (2015).…”