NIGERIAN NEWSPAPERS – PARTICULARS, CHARACTERISTICS

NIGHTENGALE BEN-ONYEUKWU

NIGERIAN NEWSPAPERS

– PARTICULARS, CHARACTERISTICS

INTRODUCTION / DEFINITION

        Alozie (2005:28) gave a detailed history of the development of newspapers in Nigeria in his book, “Nigeria Mass Media History, Issue and Personalities”.

        Today, there are over 400 daily, bi-weekly weekly and fortnightly newspapers in Nigeria. Among the surviving older newspapers in the country today are the Daily Times established in 1926, the Tribune (1949) and the New Nigeria (1966).

        By definition, Sandman, et al (1976:260)in Okunna (1999:43) stress that a newspaper is “an unbound, printed publication issued at regular intervals, which presents information in words, often supplemented with pictures”. In the words of Okunna (1999:43), the great importance of the newspaper as a mass medium derives from its role as a carrier of current information or news. This is a role which the newspaper has played from its very inception.

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF NIGERIAN NEWSPAPERS

        Nigerian Newspapers hardly vary their name plates. They remain at the same positions unlike in advanced countries where they can be changed or alternated from side to side.

The newspaper has undergone a lot of changes to appear if the form in which it does today. Modern scholars still agree that, to be a true newspaper, a publication should have a set of characteristics which the German scholar, Otto Groth put forward more than seventy years in 1928. These characteristics include the following:

·        A newspaper must be published periodically at regular intervals; these intervals should not be less than once a week.

·        It must be mechanically reproduce.

·        It must be timely.

·        It must offer freedom of access to all renders, that is, it must be available to everyone who can afford the cover price.

·        Its content must vary to include everything that could be of interest to every member of the society. That is, the content must not be aimed at any select group in the society.

1.     LARGE HEADLINES

        Most Nigerian Newspapers use large headlines of up to 72 points or more and at times give captions that can mislead the audience. Large headlines are cast purposely to index the news i.e. to tell readers the value of news. They are also expected to serve as a guide to readers about the seriousness and significance of the news. Apart from providing some display, headlines sell a newspaper and denote its character.

2.     BANNER HEADLINES

        A banner headline runs across the entire columns and is used to introduce very important news of national or international concern. At present, most of the Nigerian Newspapers resort to banner headlines for very import stories.

3.     ADVERTISEMENTS

        Nigerian Newspapers carry a lot of advertisements even on pages where they are not supposed to carry advertisements. In many cases, there are more advertisements especially congratulatory message to politicians and captains of industry on their birthdays, chieftaincy titles or honorary award ceremonies than other stories.

SIZE AND VOLUME

        There are two types of Newspapers tabloid and broadsheet. The broadsheet is also called standard Newspaper. Uyo (1987:9) explains that tabloids are those newspapers whose size is approximately 12 x 16 inches, with five or seven columns; broadsheet, on the other hand, are much larger, measuring approximately 14 x 22 inches, with six or seven columns. From this description, it can be dearly seen that most newspapers in Nigeria are tabloids.

        In terms of volume, most Nigerian newspapers have significantly increased their volumes as a result of additional materials available to them for publication. In the 1970s and 1980s, the most voluminous newspaper in Nigeria was the Daily Times, which used to have up to 48 pages as a result of its many advertisements especially obituaries. Others used to have a maximum of 16-32 pages. At present, their pages range from 48 to 80 pages depending on the materials they have for publication.

They also publish “bumper editions during special occasions.

FRONT PAGE EDITORIAL

        The front page commentaries are caption as “editorial” continued” from the front page” (OPED) columns, a double spread page where editorials, opinion articles, letters to the editor and editorial cartoons are usually placed on regular basis.

MEDIA THEORY

        Nigeria is a democratic nation and as such, her press adopts the social responsibility theory of the mass media which demands press freedom with accountability to the society. The Nigerian Press, despite all limitations and odds is so far the freest in Africa, the social responsibility theory originated in the United States in 1987 from the Hutchins Commission Report on a free and responsible press. The enquiry by this commission became necessary because the press was not behaving the way it was expected to behave.

        Historically, the press had abused the extreme freedom which it had been enjoying throughout the centuries when the libertarian theory held sway. By the twentieth century, the press had become irresponsible and the victim of a number of negative practices which culminated in yellow journalism, characterized by sensationalism, irresponsibility and character assassination. Consequently the time, was ripe for the birth of a theory of a free but responsible press, in place of the free press theory. This new theory was the social responsibility theory of the press. Okunna (1995:26) clearly explains, ethics generally is concerned with the standards of good and bad conduct in society. She emphasizes that “ethics is self-legislation as opposed to official or government legislation through outside compulsion, which is characteristic of law”.

        At the other extreme from self-regulation is government control. It has already been emphasized that the guiding principle of the social responsibility theory is that the press should be restrained, by either itself or by the government, to ensure responsibility by journalists. As a mechanism for restraining the press, government control is usually extended in a democratic society through a variety of laws. These include law of defamation (which incorporates sedition as part of libel? Privacy, copyright; official secrets etc because they can be enforced by government and its agencies which can convict and punish journalists, laws are highly restrictive for the press.

SUMMARY

        From the background history or the Nigerian press as presented by Alozie (2005) and other media scholars. It is certain that the Nigerian press especially the print media though comparably young in global terms, is by African standard and oldest and richest in tradition, pluralism and development.   From Iwe Irohin in (1859) and Anglo Africa in 1863 to African messenger (now Daily times) in 1922 and West African pilot over 400 newspapers on its stable and has continued to grow.

THE NIGERIAN PRESS AND THE INTERNET

        The internet project started in the United States of America by the department of Defence (DARPP) as ‘Resource sharing computer network” in 1969 to provide a system for exchanging military base. It started as a simple network of four computers connected and called ARPANET by 1984 up to one thousand 1000 computers were connected. In 1989, the worldwide web (w.w.w) was developed as a striking feature of the network by 1994 and was called the internet.

        According to Okoye (2000:192) by 1999, the “internet used by an estimated 50 million people worldwide. Since the internet is able to provide information on sound, video and text, it became possible to use it for newspapering – internet publishing.

        Today, many Nigeria papers (e.g The Guardian and The Punch) display their daily editions on the Internet. The Internet in particular has contributed immensely in improving the capacity of the Nigerian mass media to inform and educate their numerous audience. The internet technology, from all indications has placed the Nigerian press at the forefront of many of its counterparts in Africa and other developing nations which are not as viable as Nigeria due to socio-economic reasons.

REFERENCES

Onyeka, U. (2005), Media Writing and Reporting, Afrika link limited Owerri – Enugu, Abuja – Onitsha-Ibadan.

Alozie, V. O. (2005) The Print Media: Newspaper And Magazine Production, Editing, Graphics And Organization, Pilvic Communication, Owerri, Nigeria.

Okunna (1994) Introduction to Mass Communication, New Generation Ventures Limited, Enugu.

THE ROLE OF TV AND RADIO IN THE REBRANDING OF NIGERIA

NIGHTENGALE BEN-ONYEUKWU

THE ROLE OF TV AND RADIO IN THE

REBRANDING OF NIGERIA

INTRODUCTION

        The role of TV and Radio in the rebranding of Nigeria and the global information exchange discusses the image created for Nigeria as fallout of the global information exchange and looks at the role the Nigeria media is doing about the image created for the country. This paper also tries to look at possible options for a better image for Nigeria

        Traditionally, when we talked about the media, we meant print, radio and television. Today, however, the ardent of new platforms but has also blurred the lines that separated all media of mass communication, print and electronic.

        Therefore media is used in the context of this paper to cover all media or television, radio, internet etc.

        Nigeria has the highest and most virile media community in Africa followed by South Africa and Kenya (Park 1993:1) in the area of publications (week lies dailies and magazine) Ogbodu (1996:1).

        There is a constant exchange of information going on every moment of the day in the global information exchange shows in information order in which the western world is bombarding developing and underdeveloped countries including Nigeria with information disseminated through their powerful media. Such information comes with their established prejudices and stereotypes. The advent of new technologies particularly in the area of satellite and computers has even made it much easier for western nations to really flood the poor nation including Nigeria with their information and culture.

        In the process of the continuous global information exchange, images of persons, nations and countries are continually formed, or reformed in the mind of the global community. A mention of several nations of the world brings to mind certain images. For instance, in the light of recent events in the U.S and the information exchange that has gone on since then, America has reinforced a positive global image as a land or hope, opportunities, possibilities and fulfillment of dreams for any one irrespective of race or creed.

        In broadcasting, there are close to 45 television stations, with about 10 of these in private hands, while of the 44 or so radio stations, a handful are privately owned following the deregulation of broadcasting by the state in 1994 (Bankole 1995: Olutokun 1996). Again, this number has significantly increased as new digital technology has made ownership or radio stations easier.

        There are numerous internet media platforms that originate from Nigeria or hoisted by Nigerians in Diaspora as at today. Aside the websites of print and broadcast houses in Nigeria, there are now quite a number of online publications, and media platforms.

        In the case of films, Nollywood, (as the Nigerian film industry is called) is growing in leaps and bounds. Although it is accused of lacking in depth and up-to-date.

THE ROLE OF TV AND RADIO IN THE REBRANDING OF NIGERIA

Branding a nation means projecting a unique national identity.

Whatever the role of the foreign media through the countries global information exchange and even against the background that information flow is perceived to move from the rich global North to the South with its associated prejudice and perspective, one thing is clear – the Nigeria media plays a critical role in creating an image for Nigeria.

If anything, it is usually the first source of information that the foreign media obtains and uses. And given the background of their powerful media, such news or opinions become powerful loud especially if they are “negative”. The media in Nigeria provides information of a critical nature, and it shapes the discourse agenda in ways that project Nigeria’s image, this way or that way. The media is crucial to opinion formulation and eventual outcomes of events.

For Nigeria’s image to be redeemed so as to bring such benefits as inspring greater international excitement about the country and ultimately attracting more foreign investments, something must be done as a matter of extreme urgency.

The Nigeria media in whatever media of mass communication, be it radio, film, television, print or internet, should pay greater attention to investigative journalism. Media houses should commit resources and time to this type of journalism so as to expose those who engage in negative practices that give Nigeria a bad name. Exposure of those who engage in fraudulent and corrupt practices, embezzlement, drug pedding, 419, “Otokoto” (ritual killings) and other such negative activities will deter others from engaging in such activities. So, if anything, the media must not relent in exposing the corrupt but should rather deepen and sustain its efforts. It is better to deal with a problem from the roots than to bother with it symptoms. To do so is akin to cutting off the branches of a tree with the erroneous belief that the roots and tap root will thereby be affected. No! buds will sprout out, then foliages, tiny flowers, then branches and the metamorphoses into a more gigantic one.

The media should ask questions why our common wealth is being frittered away and siphoned to overseas bank vaults. They should unravel the irony of living in abject penury in the midst of such plenty; the dilemma of washing hands with sputum even whilst living by the river bank. It should ask questions about all excess crude oil sales, about the energy sector, about the economy, the dilapidated infrastructures. The tension soaked political environment; about insecurity, corruption and inaction in drug barons, the black market currency dealers, the property speculartors.

On the issue of re-branding Nigeria, the Federal Information Ministry should outline clear measures it will be taking to reduce corruption and malpractices in all facets of our national life rather than of belly-aching and blaming the media in Nigeria, or trying to shut up those who draw attention to the ills of the nation. Again, with a firm commitment on the part of the government, manifested, in actually dealing with corrupt individuals and institutions through appropriate jail sentences instead of decorating such persons with national honours, the government can then honestly see and embrace the media’s partnership to project such positive things such as reporting the punishment meted out on the corrupt and thieving and the regurgitation of their wealth.

        In the present attempt to rebrand Nigerian, government should adopt the practice of good government, service delivery, accountable, transparent, timely and truthful. The freedom of information bill should be passed into law as a matter of urgency to ensure full disclosure of government activities. There must be effective action taken against corruption while embracing a culture of excellence, performance and accountability in governance. Government should not be shrouded in secrecy and mystery. Effort should be made by government to positively engage to brand or rebrand Nigeria so as to create a platform to dismantle negative stereotypes and fixation and tell the good news about Nigeria on a daily basis.

        In the global world in which we now live, nothing defines a nation better than the perception people have of it alongside the nature are resilience of its economy. In the case of later, the verdict on nations in this respect is often brutal, and seldom with no middle ground. It is either a successful economy that is courted and celebrated, or one that is struggling, and at the mercies of investors and lending and donor agencies. This is the reality of our time. Nigeria with its sheer population of over 140million with an oil economy offers a big market and some of the highest returns on investments found anywhere in the world with its abundant natural and human resources Nigeria. Nigeria is waiting to be exploited and developed. It is a country with the potentials to carry Africa on its shoulders and power on into the future.

        Let me quote Sayyid Faisal A1 said, the head of the Oman Brand management unit charged with branding the image of his country “with the impact of globalization and the use of “Attraction Economy, “its increasingly important that a country in the world competing for consumers” attention and respect. Lets be clear, consumers are attracted to clear and consistent messages about things the value, from competent governance, to friendly and hospitable people, to financial transparency and investment opportunities.

        Let me quickly walk you through a capsule detail of the philosophy, goals and objectives behind this project. The re-branding is conceived as an internal process to address Nigeria’s negative image. This campaign is a holistic one, homegrown and people centered (PPPP). This is very critical because a good national brand is a product of responsible citizenship and leadership. Since the re-branding seeks to internal attitudinal change, it will be driven by funding from government, private sector and society. We will be counting on a full dose of volunteerism from good spirited Nigerians. According to the conference summary on Branding Global Korea, “A national branding campaign must be based on real, substantial improvement of the national system, not just slogan’s; must have a broader and more comprehensive program; and must be based on collaboration of the government, private sector, and individual citizens,” towards achieving a people centered project and get the buy in of Nigerians we set out be evolving a competition through which Nigerians submitted their logos and slogan from these submission emerged the new slogan – Good people, Great Nation which was launched on March 17^th 2009 by President Umar Musa Yaradua, who was ably represented by the vice-president, Jonathan Goodluck.

        We realized that as a people we have left others to tell our story for too long. In a world of media dominance made possible by multiple digital communication platforms, Nigeria must employ effectively the media to communicate her story to the world.

        To this end, government is equipping voice of Nigeria (VON), NTA and FRCN to properly tell the Nigerian story. These organizations also have the mandate of telling the Nigerian story and countering all negative news on the country often dished out by the global media to the world. Similarly, Government is collaborating with the private media houses so that they could help relay the positive story about Nigeria. In this era of globalization, whatever news or programmes that are published or aired informs how people perceive any country. It is in appreciation of the power media in shaping the perception of Nigeria that Government urges the media to report Nigeria and its people responsibly.

        Most news items and advertisement on the radio and television these days are about the urgent quest to rebrand Nigeria. For nearly nine months, Nigerians, for once, had a focus on where their country was meant to heading to. Everyone living in Nigeria at the time was compelled to adjust to a more positive outlook of this country. Corruption was forced to its lowest ebb with corrupt public officers returning their loot and those who could not stand the newly emerged pressure running far away from the scene.

CONCLUSION

        In the global world in which we now live, nothing defines a nation better than the perception people have of it alongside the nature and resilience of its economy. In the case of the later, the verdict on nations in this respect is often brutal and seldom with no middle ground. It is either a successful economy that is courted and celebrated, or one that is struggling, and at the mercies of investors and lending and donor agencies. Branding a nation means projecting a unique national identity and in the case of Nigeria a unique image reinforced by the nature of the government, the openness of immigrations, attractiveness to tourist, the rule of law and security, economic stability, security, cultural values and a gamut of other determinants.

REFERENCES

Rosengren, Kaarl et al (1985) Media Gratification Research: Current Perspective London: Sage.

Sinha, Arbind (1985) Mass Media and Rural Development. New Deihi: Concept.

Stephens, K. Dean (1994) “Multimedia Pandora’s box in which hope is greater than faith or charity”. Media Development 4/1994.

Stuart, Sara (1989). “Access to media: placing video in the hands of the people”. Media Development, 4/1989.

Okunna, Chinyere Stella (1988). “The Nigerian Mass Communication Audience: Using the Media with a Purpose”.

Okunna, Chinyere Stella (1993) “Global Communication and Cultural Synchronization”. In C. S. Okunna et al (eds) op.

Amafili, Chudi (1993) “Introduction to Radio / TV Production” In C. S. Okunna, C. Amafili and N. Okenwa (eds.), Theory and Practice of Mass Communication Enugu: ABIC.

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