ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN ANTI CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN
CHAPTER ONE
1.0Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â INTRODUCTION
Corruption indicates weak institutions and structures within a nation-state and is a bane in many developing countries such as Nigeria. For instance, corrupt practices such as bribery and criminal embezzlement deplete a country’s wealth, impacting peace, stability, and national development. The consequences accruing from these circumstances are far-reaching since loyal citizens perceive exploitation and social imbalance. Similarly, corruption can harm the social framework of the nation. If not nipped, since it deprives people of the necessities of life, thus further engendering economic hardship.
Ayeni & Nwaorgu (2018) emphasized the ubiquity of corruption in Nigeria. Implicating the quest for survival and austere economic conditions as underlying influences.
Furthermore, Ribadu (2009) argues that this era saw the obliteration of all the noble things inherent within the country.
Surprisingly, the supposed rationale for the emergence of the military regime was to forestall the perceived corruption among politicians and democratic leadership. Notably, Obasanjo’s regime saw the establishment of agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices. As well as other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) geared towards fighting corruption.
It is noteworthy that efficient media is a vital stimulus for driving the anti-corruption campaign. The media is necessary for facilitating a culture. That is averse to corrupt practices through influencing, reporting, agenda-setting, etc. Without intervention by the government, especially in a multi-ethnic state like Nigeria. Among other roles, the media sets an agenda around corruption, bringing its foundations, influences, and probable alleviation to the fore. However, the Nigerian media are not exempt from corrupt practices (Odionye, 2016)
Arguably, the persistence of Transparency International (2018) in ranking Nigeria among the bottom forty nations in its annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) signals the underperformance of the media in the anti-corruption campaign.
Arguably, Nigeria has not performed very well in matters of corruption. In nearly two decades of uninterrupted democracy, Nigeria has continued the fight against corruption by leveraging EFCC and ICPC to apprehend criminals in the public and private sectors.
Notably, these attempts at eradicating corruption paid off slightly since the country made progress at Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index. Nigeria has moved from being ranked as the most corrupt country globally in 2000. To being ranked 148 out of 180 countries surveyed (Transparency International, 2018).
The global anti-corruption watchdog, Transparency International (TI) in its Corruption Perception Index (2017) ranked Nigeria as the 148th corrupt country globally. This is against Nigeria’s 136th position in 2016, illustrating the persistent increasing incidences of corruption in Nigeria. This is despite the present administration’s anti-corruption campaigns and efforts.
President Muhammadu Buhari, in consideration of the high incidences of corruption in the country on assumption of office in 2015, announced the anti-corruption crusade as one of the major pillars of his administration and has to this end, made the fight against corruption the core mantra of his administration. Apparently, the campaign against corruption seems not to be achieving the expected goals as TI (2017) statistics above indicate.
Rose-Ackerman (1999) and Bello (2015) suggested two distinct and significant ways the media can do this. Bello (2015) on the other hand argued that the media play pivotal roles in the campaign against corruption; they act as the eyes, ears and voices of the public. The media not only raise public awareness about corruption, its causes, consequences and possible remedies. But also investigate and report incidences of corruption (Stapenhurst, 2000).
Consequently, it becomes pertinent to examine how the media have been performing this oversight function of adequately keeping the public informed of this government’s anti- corruption crusade.
It is in attempt to find answers to these questions. That this research examined how the Nigerian print media have kept the Nigerian audience informed. About developments in the Buhari’s fight against corruption as it unfolds. This is because media coverage of cases such as corruption is no doubt, an important part of media function, and the salience given to such issues could help in reducing the practices of corruption by exposing those responsible in such a way as to serve as a deterrent to others. Therefore, this aimed to examine Assessment of the Role of the Media in Anti Corruption Campaign.
ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN ANTI CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Corruption has been recognised as a major cause of political instability in Nigeria as the first military coup in the country. Which took place on January 15, 1966 was attributed to the corrupt nature of the then government. Subsequent administrations have hinged their change of government or administration on the ground of fight against corruption as evident in coup and inaugural speeches of past heads of governments.
Up to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1999, blame-games between the military and civilians characterized the period that followed. Anti-corruption organizations like the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) etc.
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