THE ROLE OF THE PRESS IN A DEMOCRACY (THE PRESS IN PERSPECTIVE). A RESEARCH PROJECT MATERIAL ON MASS COMMUNICATION
ABSTRACT
The study deals with the analysis of the role of the Nigerian press in the democratic struggle in Nigeria. The research method used was the survey method, with the questionnaires and interview as the method for data collection. The study kicks off from the definition of democracy as the government of the people by the people and for the people, including brief definition of some features of democracy like popular sovereignty, popular consultation and periodical elections. Using constentical questionnaires given to eight (80) respondents, the study analyzer the press and its revolution and power a growth and development of the Nigerian press in democracy. Respondents are polled in four categories: Lectures layers politicians and general citizens . Analyses of their responses show that the press is essential for provide my owners for the participation of all members of the society in decision making. As a recommendation the press is urged to put up expensive and effective machinery to cover the nation as a whole and not just the cities and their aliclist inhabitants the press was also admonished to work towards national cohesion and to d this it should consciously purse the goal of getting Nigerian to think and reason as Nigerian rather than alongside the dividends of ethnicity the findings are
1. That the Nigeria press has so for performed its role of adducting and people on the need to make wise choice from competing alternatives during elections.
2. That the role of the press in promoting and entrenching sustainable and effective democracy is very essential.
3. That the Nigerian press has fearlessly and responsibly performed its roles of not only informing people to make wise choices, but also safeguarding.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Democracy in its simplest definition means government of the people, of the people and for the people. It its often referred to as government of popular participation, even though sound schools of thought will argue that democracy in the contemporary society cannot accommodate every member of a society, what can be possible is representative participation.
However, in its original form and as practiced in ancient Greek city stated and approximated of New England town meetings and swiss contions, Democracy simply means full participation of all citizens in the daily routine of administration of community affairs. Literally however, democracy means government of the people, by the people and for the people. This is derivative from two Greek word that make up the word “Democracy” which literally means people to be ruled.
Yet. Some western political theorists for example, kotler how holds the view that democracy is only a system of government that guarantees direct maximum popular control over the decision.
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