MASS MEDIA EVOLUTION AND POLITICS IN NIGERIA
Abstract
The Nigerian media has actively promoted democratic values since the country's independence in 1960. This has been achieved through critical analysis of successive administrations- civilian and military, mobilization and education of the citizens to support democratic ideals, preventing corruption, and holding public servants accountable to the public. Notwithstanding the media's optimal attempts to promote democracy, there are still difficulties, including discrimination based on ethnicity, a lack of contemporary communication technologies, pressure from government and interest groups, ownership issues, corruption, poor welfare, and security concerns. For the media to effectively contribute to the stability of democracy, they need to uphold professional ideals and address unethical practices within the industry. The government also supports the media by creating a favourable environment for the mass media to work without interference. This article assesses the evolutionary development of mass media in Nigeria. The functions and duties of the mass media in connection to Nigeria's political structure are discussed in this paper. This paper adopts a doctrinal research methodology by assessing qualitative research materials and subjecting the same to descriptive content analysis. Among other reflections, this paper proposes that to effectively perform its role in consolidating democracy, and changes need to be made to Nigeria's political framework and mass media culture as the country's fourth estate.