CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The ability to communicate is at the core of human existence. It is the hub around which all human progress revolves. Every social organization in society is supposed to contribute to the socioeconomic growth of the nation, and the mass media in particular is viewed as being in the forefront of bringing together communities and mobilising people on a political and social level for progress (Okpoko, 2010).

As a result of their effectiveness in disseminating information, the mass media of communication play a crucial part in the growth process.

According to Asemah et al, (2012) The general public or population is updated about daily societal events through a collective mode of communication called the mass media. A lot of direct, one-on-one communication between the communicator and the audience is stated to occur through all communication channels, including the media.

According to Baran (2016) A message is transmitted from a source to a recipient in communication. This suggests that communication only happens when parties involved have similar fields of experience. Therefore, communication encompasses all acts and behaviors that involve passing thoughts or messages from the source to the recipient (Nsikan, 2012).

Due to the numerous ways in which communication affects the issue of human rights, it demands special consideration. Putting aside the fact that information accessibility is a fundamental human right that is properly recognized in a number of international agreements. Information activities need to be evaluated in terms of how well they support or ostensibly do not support other human rights in Nigeria.

People are able to obtain information about their rights as citizens of Nigeria in large part through mass media. (MacBride et al, 2015). Individuals not only demand communication and human rights, but they also create the fundamental issue of people's unalienable rights as endowed by nature.

The subject of human rights violations has recently taken on an unprecedented scope, particularly in emerging countries. Human rights abuses have been increasing regularly in African nations like Nigeria. Despite the fact that there are numerous human rights organisations working both internationally and locally to stop violations of human rights, the rate of such violations remained alarmingly high. As a result, it is crucial that the public be informed about concerns related to human rights in general through the mass media. It is to this the study centers on mass media and coverage of human right issues in Nigeria .

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The number of human rights violations in society is progressively rising, and the mainstream media is doing nothing to address the problem. Since human rights violations are frequently not reported in the media, society is often unaware that the problem is truly getting worse.

Media outlets frequently don't take a comprehensive approach when reporting on violations of human rights. The media frequently fails to develop its broadcast policy to include human rights programmes, even in the lack of such violations. The media's agenda is dominated by the promotion of profit-making over communal well-being.

 For instance, Lustgarten and Debix (2015) assert that the Many studies conducted on mass media and human rights in Nigeria  mostly centres on analyzing the frequency of human rights terms, especially in the print media such as newspapers and magazines in Nigeria.

 None of them—or very few—focus on a thorough examination of radio broadcast programmes to determine whether they might cover human rights problems explicitly or in-depth. These important issues make it clear that there is a need to carry out a study on the mass media and coverage of human right issues in Nigeria.

1.3     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY     

The general objective of this study is to examine mass media and coverage of human right issues in Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are:

1) To examine ways of promoting human rights through mass media

2)It examine the impact of mass media coverage on human right issues in human rights fm 101.fm Abuja

3) To examine the relationship between mass media and the effective coverage of human rights issues in human rights fm 101.fm Abuja

4) To outline the challenges experienced by human rights fm 101.fm Abuja in the coverage of human right issues in Nigeria

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1) What are the ways of promoting human rights through mass media?

2) What is the impact of mass media coverage on human right issues in human rights fm 101.fm Abuja?

3) What is the relationship between mass media and the effective coverage of human rights issues in human rights fm 101.fm Abuja?

4) What are the challenges experienced by human rights fm 101.fm Abuja in the coverage of human right issues in Nigeria?

1.5     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study makes known the importance of the role of mass media in the coverage of the human right issues in Nigeria.  It will also enhance the knowledge of various players in the mass media on their role in effective and effectual reportage of human right abuses in Nigeria.

This study will enhance the existing body of literature by contemplating the areas of the literature that have not yet been examined or considered and incorporating these factors into the current study. The study will thus form the basis for further studies in the field.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY 

The study covers mass media and coverage of human right issues in Nigeria (a case study of human rights radio 101.1fm Abuja)

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The researcher was faced with the following constraints in carrying out this study:

Time: The time within the researcher is too short to carry on the detail study on this topic.

Resources: Another constraint of the researcher is financial resources to carry on the detail study of this topic. Data: Another limitation to this study will be lack of data to make valid study on the research problem.

1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

MEDIA: Mass media refers to a diverse array of media technologies that reach a large audience via mass communication. The technologies through which this communication takes place include a variety of outlets. Broadcast media transmit information electronically via media such as films, radio, recorded music, or television

HUMAN RIGHT ISSSUES: Human rights are moral principles or norms for certain standards of human behavior and are regularly protected in municipal and international law.