ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF OWNERSHIP ON PROFESSIONALISM IN MEDIA PRACTICE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of ownership on the professionalism in media practice in Nigeria. The finding of this study was based on secondary data. From the review of the literature available on the subject, it was discovered that ownership influence is a global phenomenon. The study traced the trajectory of the media influence in Nigeria from the colonial to the fifth republic and discovered that the influence on media practice is as long as the history of media itself. Government; colonial, military, democratic and private media owners wield influence on the media they operate. It was discovered that the owners have used their media platform to suppress the truth, influence the public opinion, denied the dissidents access to the media, peddled false information, settled political scores, character assassination, sacrifice their workforce for relationship and mislead the public.  The study recommends as following: There should be demarcation line between the role of the media proprietors and the editorial team. Owners should detach self from editorial decisions, while the editorial team should play above the board in the discharge of their professional duties. Arbitrary influence and control be discouraged, while excellence should be the watchword of the practitioners.