ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN SUPPORTING PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI FIGHTS AGAINST CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Campaign against corruption has been one of the focuses of President Muhammadu Buhari since the assumption of office in May 29, 2015 and it is on this background that the research dwelled on the role of mass media in supporting president Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption in Nigeria because the media is seen as the fourth estate of the realm and watch dog of the people in power. Mass media have been able to educate, enlighten and inform the general public on the effect of corruption on our national development while mass media have not relented in exposing corrupt leaders, it always pattern with various anti graft agencies such as the EFCC, ICPC, CCT and the Nigerian Police to build a corrupt free nation. However, research used cross sectional survey method in carrying out this research with the use of questionnaire as a research tool. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency percentage and tables). The paper find out that mass media have been a major instrument in waging war against corruption and corrupt practices in Nigeria. The media are performing significant roles in the anti corruption campaign. It is therefore, recommended that Economics and Financial Crime Commission should act within the law that establish it and ascertain complacence with ethics of the profession while the broadcasting media and newspaper should be objective in their coverage and reportage of corrupt matters without political or ethnic influence.