MEDIA OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL IN NIGERIA A SURVEY OF SOUTH-SOUTH GEO-POLITICAL ZONE
ABSTRACT
This project “Media Ownership and Control in Nigeria: A survey of the South-South geo-political Zone” examines the pattern of media ownership and control in the six states of Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Cross-Rivers and Rivers that make-up the zone. It is hinged on the authoritarian and libertarian theories of the press. The survey method of research is used and it was discovered that 1,191 and 419 male and female journalists respectively registered with the Nigeria Union of journalists totaling 1,610. while there are 416 registered media firms, made up of 25 radio and television houses, there are 356 registered newspapers and magazine in the zone. Despite the huge number of practicing journalists in the zone, only less than half of then actually registered with NUJ. It was also discovered that while ownership of the mass media is primarily private and government. The private ownership is divided into three types:- commercial, party-political and religious. The research note that while private owners influence media professionals in order to protect their interest, the government directly control its mass media and indirectly control the privately owned mass media. The researcher therefore recommend among others courage on the part of mass media practitioners in the cause of carrying out their duties.