CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.1 Introduction

This chapter reviewed related literature and also discusses the theoretical framework of the

study. The chapter is organized under the following headings;

i. Review of Related Literature

ii. Theoretical Framework

iii. Summary of Literature Reviewed

2.2 Review of Related Literature

Ola (2020) conducted a study and revealed that one of the greatest obstacles confronting the

journalism profession in the discharge of their duties is the indiscriminate physical and digital

threat being experienced by journalists all over the world, particularly within sub-Saharan

Africa. Ola further revealed that the continuous attacks facing journalists in Africa, most

especially during election times, violate their fundamental human rights. Journalists play a

major role in the dissemination of information before, during and after an election.

Unfortunately, elections in many African States are characterized by uncertainty, due to the

possibility of election-related violence, which has led to the killing and disappearance of

many journalists.

Kurfi, (2018) examined the problems and prospects for investigative journalism among

journalists. The paper adopted survey research method through administration of 300 copies

of the questionnaire to practicing journalists purposively selected from Kaduna, Kano and

Katsina states. The aim was to find out their experiences and challenges, and the prospects

for investigative journalism in the zone. Social Responsibility theory was adopted. Findings
indicate that the practice of investigative journalism is below 50% among the journalists in

the three states due to challenges such as inaccessibility to classified information from

government and non-governmental organisations. The paper recommends that media

organisations should encourage training and retraining of staff involved in investigative

journalism. And there should be insurance and security plan for investigative journalists

Chika (2018) carried out a study with the aim of describing some of the challenges

confronting female journalists in Enugu State, Nigeria. A total of 35 female journalists with

the mean age of 28 years and years of practice that range from 5-15 years provided narrative

account on their experiences through a semi-structured interview that lasted between one to

one and half hours. The results showed that the challenges confronting female journalists

include: discrimination from news sources and colleagues at work, sexual harassments, and

family roles. The respondents also reported that discouragements from family members also

constitute part of the challenges. The implication of these results on social identity theory is

explored. Based on the result of this study, the researcher concludes that women-journalists

are confronted with career related challenges not because of their performance on the job but

because of the fact that they are women.

Anyadike (2013) observed in his study that the practice of journalism in Nigerian is facing

several challenges which pose great threat to the benefits that accrue from this vital aspect of

the journalism profession. Hence, his study examined the problems and prospects of

investigative journalism in Rivers State, Nigeria using the survey research method. A total of

56Journalists (43 from The Tide and13 from The Hard Truth newspapers) were sampled. The

findings indicated that investigative journalism is practised in Nigeria but its level of practice

is abysmally low due to myriads of problems bedevilling the practice. However, there are

greater prospects of its practice with the signing of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill
into law in 2011. Hence, the paper recommends a proactive approach to investigative

journalism while harnessing the opportunities as envisaged in the FOI Act

Otolo (2015) in his study, “challenges of Information Dissemination to Rural Communities”

using Niger-Delta Communities as a case study noted that rural population have differences

in getting important information in a timely and an appropriate format such as current market

price, news on modern methods of pests control. He further revealed that most information

dissemination to rural communities is in written form, which makes it difficult to access by

those with low or no literacy skills. He recommends that there should be a provision of

information communication gadgets to facilitate information dissemination in rural

communities.

2.3 Theoretical Framework

This research work is based on the social responsibility theory. The social responsibility

theory is one of the four major theories of the press outlined by Siebert, Peterson and

Schramm (1963). This theory argues that while the press maintains freedom in reporting, it

also has a duty to the public. Due to the power and influence wielded by the press, this theory

reiterates that the freedom of the press is accompanied by obligations to the public (Ravi,

2012). The functions of the press under the social responsibility theory do not differ greatly

from the functions of the press under the libertarian theory. These functions include;

1. Monitoring the political system and providing the public with information concerning

politics for discussion and debate.

2. Providing the general public with useful information that can help them make better

decisions.

3. Protecting the public by being a watchdog.

4. Providing a space for advertising, and a platform for the economic transaction to be

initiated. Therefore, the press is also responsible for economic growth. 5. Providing

entertainment (Adaja, 2012).

A reiteration in the functions listed above is ‘the provision of information that can help the

public make decisions’. This function is the main purpose of journalism. Providing useful

information promptly is important. The information supplied by the press could influence

public opinion, policies, national development and may even agitate or placate conflicts

(Happer and Philo, 2013). Hence, for this research, the primary purpose of journalism is ‘to

provide the public with accurate useful information that can be applied to make better

decisions’.

Importantly, there have been arguments on who the media must serve: the public, the

government itself or the proprietor of the media house. For this research work, the media’s

duty to the public is being referenced. Obagwu and Idris (2019) assert that social

responsibility is achieved when journalists place the needs of the public before their own

needs.

The social responsibility theory has remained relevant and is especially important with the

creation of contemporary media devices and platforms. Print media is now available on the

internet and is easily accessible. However, the speed with which news is being created and

disseminated means that the consumption of information is faster (Sagan and Leighton,

2010). Hence, in a situation where information is easily posted for millions of people to read

and share, effective journalism is important. Alternatively, due to the ease with which

information can be consumed via online newspapers and blogs, journalists must provide the

audience with credible and useful information.

This is where the social responsibility theory applies to this study. The social responsibility

theory outlines the function of journalism. The social responsibility theory provided
clarification on what the purpose of journalism is. Practising journalism without fulfilling the

functions of journalism is ineffective. However, it is unfortunate that there are extant risk

bedeviling the practice of journalism in Nigeria, this presents a serious threat to the

accomplishing the social responsibility role of the media.

2.4 Summary of Reviewed Literature

The reviewed related literatuture revealed that the Nigerian journalism is bedeviled with an

avalanche of challenges that impinge its effectives. The review revealed that journalists in

Nigeria are faced with challenges such as incessant killings and attacks on innocent

journalists who tried to unearth something that is hitherto unknown especially when tying to

unraveling corrupt cases.

References
Ola, A.A. (2020), "Illegal assaults and treatment of journalists: a big challenge to the
journalism profession in Nigeria", Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace
Research, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 151-161. https://doi.org/10.1108/JACPR-03-2020-0486
 
Kurfi, M.Y. (2018) Problems and Prospects for Investigative Journalism in North-west,
Nigeria. Ebonyi State University Journal of Mass Communication, 5(1), 66-75

Obagwu, P. U. and Idris, K. M. (2019) ‘Social responsibility theory of the press: a critique of
its application and constraints’, International Journal of Innovative Research &
Development, 8(12), pp. 26-35.
Happer, C. and Philo, G. (2013) ‘The role of the media in the construction of public belief
and social change’, Journal of Social and Political Psychology, 1(1), pp.321-336.

Adaja, T. (2012) ‘Nigerian journalism and professionalism: issues and challenges’, New
Media and Mass Communication, 5, pp. 15-21
Ravi, B. K. (2012) ‘Media and social responsibility: a critical perspective with special
reference to television’, Academic Research International, 2(1), pp.306-325
 CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

This chapter focuses on the method employed for data collection and analysis. The chapter

outlines the research design, the study area; the population of the study, sample size,

sampling technique; instrument for data collection, method of data collection, validity and

reliability of the instrument and how the data were to be presented and analyzed.

3.2 Research Design

This research study adopts dual research method. According to Wimmer and Dominick

(2000) cited in Jibril (2017, p.43) combining qualitative and quantitative method is regarded

as triangulation. The rationale behind adopting this research method conforms to the opinion

of Asemah, Gujbawu, Ekhareafo and Okpanachi (2012, p.248) where they affirm that a

single method can never adequately shed light on a phenomenon. Hence using multiple

methods can help facilitate deeper understanding.

Under qualitative research method the researcher adopts Focus Group. According to Wimmer

and Dominick (2011, p.132), the focus group, or group interviewing, is a research strategy

for understanding people’s attitudes and behavior. From 6 to 12 people are interviewed

simultaneously, with a moderator leading the respondents in a relatively unstructured

discussion about the topic under investigation. In their view, Poindexter and McCombs

(2000) cited in Jibril (2017), focus group “is a qualitative research method that uses open-

ended and probing questions to search below the surface of a small group of participants’

attitude, opinion, and behavior to understand motivations, feelings and reactions”.

On the other hand, the quantitative research design used for this is survey. According to

Simon (1969) as cited in Onabajo (2010, p50), a survey research method is use to gather data

on what people say and about variables as they are found in the world. It may also be defined
as a method of primarily collecting data based on a form of communication or rapport with a

representative sample of individuals called respondents.

3.3 Study Area

The study area refers to the geographical location to be covered by the study Ujo (2000) cited

in Jibril (2017). Thus, the study area of this research is Jalingo the capital of Taraba State

located in the North Eastern Part of Nigeria.

3.4 Population of the Study

Austin and Pinkleton (2006 p.98) define population as members of a group or an entire

collection of objects. A population can be animate or inanimate objects. Animate population

as in humans and inanimate population as in newspapers, music clips, video clips, and other

media content. Therefore, the population of this study comprises journalists from Adamawa

State Television (ATV) with total number of 41 registered journalists as estimated by the

Nigerian Union of Journalists, Taraba State Chapter.

3.5 Sample Size

Determining the sample size is a very important aspect of the research because the sample

could determine how valid the result of the research will be. Cohen, Manion and Morrison

(2000) assert that to ensure validity of the research, the researcher must ensure the sample

represents the whole population in question.

With this in mind, the researcher studied the whole population in order to totally eliminate

sampling error. This sample determinism method is referred to as census sampling.

Asemah, Gujbawu, Ekhareafo and Okpanachi (2012, p.163) affirm that census sampling is

attractive for small population ranging between 200 and less. Therefore the sample size of

this study will be 41 journalists from the Adamawa Television Authority, (ATV).
3.6 Sampling Technique

This study adopts the purposive sampling method. A purposive sampling includes subjects

selected on the basis of specific characteristics or qualities and eliminates those who fail to

meet these criteria. This will enable the study concentrate on journalists from ATV Yola.

3.7 Instrument for Data Collection

As earlier discussed the researcher uses two research method which this includes; survey and

focus group. For survey, the instrument to be used for data collection is the questionnaire

while on the other hand for the Focus Group; the focus group guide schedule will be adopted.

The rationale behind choosing the survey method is as a result of its suitability in gathering

information from a large number of respondents. Meanwhile focus group is selected due to

its flexible nature allowing respondents to liberally express their characteristics or opinion

naturally.

3.8 Method of Data Collection

This study solely depends on primary and secondary data. The primary data will be obtained

from the field via the use of questionnaire and focus group discussion. While on the other

hand the secondary data will be collected from sources such as journals, textbooks, seminars,

online publications and other relevant materials.

3.9 Validity and Reliability of Instrument

Howell et al (2012) cited in Myke and Chidinma (2012, p.58) assert that “while reliability is

concerned with the accuracy of the actual measuring instrument or procedure, validity is

concerned with the study's success at measuring what the researchers set out to measure.”

In order to ensure validity and reliability of data, the researcher intends to give a drafted copy

of the instrument to be used to the project supervisor for inspection meanwhile the researcher

also proposes to conduct a pilot study; the researcher will distribute questionnaire as part of

the pilot study in order to test and validate the instruments to be used. The pilot study will be
conducted among journalists from Nigeria television authority, Jalingo. The researcher also

intends to carry a focus group discussion with six journalist from each media outfit that form

the population of the study, the focus group discussion will be carry out separately.

3.10 Data Presentation and Analysis

The data to be collected will be analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The data to be

collected using questionnaire will be analyzed with the use of simple percentage, and

arithmetic tables meanwhile the data to be collected from Focus Group will analyzed

qualitatively, this involves an in-depth description of the respondent’s responses.

References

Asemah, Gujwabawu, Ekhareofo and Okpanachi (2012) Research Methods and Proceduresin
Mass Communication. Jos: Great Future Press.
Austin, E. W. and Pinkleton, B. E. (2006). Strategic Public Relations Management: Planning
and Managing Effective Communication Programs. 2nd Ed. New Jersey: Lawrence
Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
Jibril, G.I (2017) Communication and National Disaster Management; A Study of 2005Flood
Risk Awareness Campaign Among the Resident of Jalingo Metropolis. A Thesis
submitted to the Department of Mass Communication, Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria in partial fulfillment for the award of Masters of Social Science (M.sc) in
Mass Communication. (Unpublished)
Myke E. and Chidinma H. (2012) Foundations of Communication Research. Lagos: National
Open University
Wimmer, R. D. and Dominick, J. R. (2011). Mass Media Research. An Introduction. (9th Ed).
Wadsworth Cengage Learning.