A STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF GOVERNMENT INFRINGEMENT ON PRESS

1.2 Statement of Research Problems
Clamp down on the Nigerian press has become so rampant that it has become necessary to examine the issue of government infringement on press freedom vis-à-vis the effects it possibly has on the general performance of the Nigerian press.  The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Enugu being a Federal Government Medium is vested with the responsibility to protect its boss, as well as defend the profession.

1.3       Objectives of the Study
i.          It is hoped that by the end of the study, we would be able to discover the impact the suppression of the Nigerian press by government has had on the ability of the Nigerian journalist to perform his functions.  Also its effects on programmes and News production in NTA would be examined.

ii.          It is also hoped that the result of the study will enable us know if the phenomenon has affected the growth of the Nigeria press.

1.4       Significance of the Study
The issue of the government/press relationship in Nigeria has raised a lot of interest both to the practitioners and the public, that a study into the phenomenon was long overdue.
This study will no doubt be useful to mass media practitioners in Nigeria and will help the public appreciate the onerous role of the press in Nigeria so as to enable them rise in defence of the press whenever it is threatened by excessive political power.

1.5       Research Questions
i.          To what extent has government interference with News and programmes production affected the performance of the Nigerian press?

ii.          Has the lack of press freedom negatively affected the investigative spirit of journalists.

iii.         Does the lack of press freedom hinder the growth of journalism and by extension, national development?

1.6       Research Hypotheses
Based on the research questions stated, three hypotheses were formed.
H1:      Government interferes with News and Programmes production.
H0:      Government does not interfere with News and programmes production.
H2:      Lack of press freedom negatively affects the performance and investigative spirit of journalists.
H0:      Lack of press freedom does not negatively affect the performance and investigative spirit of journalists.
H3:      Lack of press freedom hinders the growth of journalism and by extension, national development.
H0:      Lack of press freedom does not hinder the growth of journalism and by extension, national development.