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PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of Study

Modern societies governed by laws and constitution, normative, convections and sanctions. The resultant effect being the maintenance of law and order to enhance socio-economic and political stability which breeds congenital environment for development. The government is the sole custodian of law and order within the states and also sees to its enforcement for the welfare of the people.

The citizens deal with any organization through different means or channel of communication. In liberal democratic societies, the parliament, political parties, electioneering campaigns, constituency, visa, the press, the representatives of the people, etc would suffice as the various channels of communication. In a monarchy military and authoritarian regimes, the channels narrow down and most cases, level the press as the only substantial means of communication or link between the government and its citizens.

But then, necessary as the role in most government have not actually found the press as healthy partners in progress so says professors Dora Akunyili (2012) in such countries the government with its monopoly of instrument of power, asserts its authority over all other institutions within the political system including the press.

The section 39 of the 1999 constitution states about the freedom of the information either to hold receive and to impact of course, such fundamental or basic freedom and like individual rights of movement, association and interpersonal exchange of ideas and opinion are usually guaranteed or embodied in many systems. It is government and the governed. It actual exposes the progrmmes and a policy formed to the later and as a result creates an enabling environment for politics.

Owing to the sensitivity of their responsibility to the society press men and journalist demand some kind of constitutional shield law to protect the (Fo1) against hazard in the performance of their duties. This freedom of information Bill (F01) has perpetually been resented by the government all over the world, more especially Nigeria.

The history of press development in the world over is synonymous with legal restrictions and subtle governmental pressures to control media contents, Enewa Abike (2009). But the difference is that the degree of such controls and its method varies form system to system.

A true democracy is that which the opinion of the masses is being considered through help of the mass media as they perform the basic functional role, and stand as the interlink between the government.

The press in mostly embattle and greatly suppressed in military and authoritarian regimes, military men and dictators are rigidly trained to have their orders obeyed, irrespective of moral implication.

In Nigeria, and many developing countries, the problem between the government and the press is a fact that has come to stay unless the freedom of information (F01) bill is passed into law and to differentiate between turn democracy and military rule.

Statement of the Research Problem

The importance of the press in society especially developing countries cannot be over looked. The press helps in reporting the activities of those in authority to the effective of their rulers are hence making those in authority to be mindful of what they do bearing in mind progress depend on how effective they are in their leadership. A country like Nigeria which has actually experience different types of government such as the military and the civilian is yet to have a proper research work which could be the need for freedom of information bill in Nigeria. The study is important to the public because it will enable them to determine the best government that give the press free access to information as required by the constitution and the authoritarian rule that restrict the press.

The significant of this study of mass communication and even practicing journalists cannot be over emphasized it will enable them know about the press and constitution of the job especially where the environment of practice is brought to bear. This will in no doubt shapes their focus on the profession. more so the study would flood the minds of understanding of future leaders so that their eyes would be open to the fact that government has it as a point of duty to support the press and give her the enabling environment to her watch doffing in the society. 

Objectives of the study

Having stated the problem of this research study, and how importance the press is and how it is necessary for it to be free in the surveillance of the environment and society at large, it is therefore the objective or this study to evaluate the problem of freedom bill.

Perception of the public on the freedom of information bill FOL will the freedom of information close the gap between the government and the governed. To understand what or things that are hindering the freedom information bill. To known the public perception on wealth on freedom of information bill will be a barrier to good democracy. And examine the activities of government without freedom of information bill (FO1).

Research Questions

This study will answer the following questions without the mind of solving the problem at hand.

1.          Will the freedom of information bill (FO1) Help Bridge the gap of information flow in Nigeria?

2.          Does the Nigeria press enjoy the freedom to operate?

3.          Is the difference between the press in democracy and military rule?

4.          Do you support the freedom of information bill?

5.          Why is the freedom of information bill so difficult to pass?

6.          Will the existence of freedom of information bill help in the campaign against corruption?

7.          Is information important to societal development?

Significance of the Study 

Knowledge is not absolute and therefore can not exist on it’s own or a particular line of taught or ideas in isolation of other lines of ideas

The study is aimed at contributing to the stock of knowledge already existing in this area of research,  the perception of people about the need for freedom of information bill in Nigeria.

The study is important to the public because  it will enable them to determine the best government that will give the press free  access to information as required by the constitution and the authoritarian rule that will restrict the press.

The significance of the study to the audience and particularly the student of mass communication  and even practicing journalists can not be over emphasized. It will enable them to know about pros and cons of the job, especially where the environment of practice is brought to bear, this will in no doubt shape their focus on the profession.

More also, this study would flood the minds of the understanding  of future leaders so that their eyes would open to the fact that government has it as a point of duty to support the press and giving her the enabling environment to do his watch dogging in the society.                  

Scope of Study

The scope of study although wide and compete  to cover up due to the landscape of the environment under study. However, it is geared and central within Enugu and Urban area, specifically Obiagu, Agbani and Abakpa area of Enugu State.

It is has to do with the public having the knowledge of information bill (FO1) the most suitable to use in the aformentarioned area.          

Definition of Terms

Conceptual and operational definition

The term to be defined freedom of information bills, press and forms of government.

Freedom of information bill means the sets of record help government bodies.

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