The Press and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: A Content Analysis of Selected Issues (1985-1995)

K.O. Nworgu 1 * , Nnanyelugo Okoro 2, Chukwudi Obi 1 *
More Detail
1 Agrocommunication and Media Studies Department, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria +2348062303484
2 Department of Mass Communication University of Nigeria, Nsukka Enugu state , Nigeria
* Corresponding Author
Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, Volume 8, Issue 3, pp. 245-257. https://doi.org/10.12973/ojcmt/2659
OPEN ACCESS   2583 Views   2091 Downloads   Published online: 15 Jul 2018
Download Full Text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

Objectives of this study include but not limited to ascertaining the extent to which the press contributed to the formulation and implementation of some foreign policies during the period under study, scrutinizing the nature of publications on the foreign policies by Nigerian press during the period under review and bringing to light, the relationship between media ownership structure and press performance in foreign policy issues. This study examines the extent (using directionality, frequency and content categories) to which the press contributed to foreign policy issues during the period under review, with regards to the selected foreign policy initiatives. The study is based on historical, content analysis and case study design. The study examined six privately-owned newspapers and magazines and also two government-owned newspapers. The population of the study was drawn from newspapers published in Nigeria between 1985 and 1995. Namely, The Daily Star (now defunct) Daily Times, The Guardian, National Concord (now defunct) However, a total of 300 editions of three newspapers and two magazines published within the period of the study (African Guardian & African Concord) were content analyzed. From the research questions, findings indicate that the press played a significant role in the three foreign policy issues. In the three issues examined, the press had a total of 21 publications, it is clear that the press through news stories and commentaries enlightened the people and contributed immensely to the implementation or otherwise of the loan policy under Babangida’s regime. ). Invariably, the press forced the government to drop the idea of Nigeria joining the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) for that period.
 
Keywords: Press, Nigeria, Foreign Policy

CITATION

Nworgu, K., Okoro, N., & Obi, C. (2018). The Press and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: A Content Analysis of Selected Issues (1985-1995). Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 8(3), 245-257. https://doi.org/10.12973/ojcmt/2659

REFERENCES

  • Aluko, O. (1981) The Press and Foreign Policy Text of Lecture delivered at NTA Channel 7, April 30th. O. Aluko Essays in Nigeria’s Foreign Policy. London: George Allen & Unwin.
  • Anyika, P.O. (1998) The Foreign Policy of Developing Nation. An Analysis. In Anigbo, O.A. (ed) A Course Book of Social Sciences Anampoly Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd.
  • Asobie, H. A (2002) Nigeria Economic Diplomacy and National Interest in Ogwu, U. J & Adebayo, O. O (eds)
  • Akinterinwa, B. A (2010) The Media in Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Roles, Challenges and Prospects in Eze, O. C (ed) Beyond 50 Years of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Issues, Challenges and Prospects. Lagos: Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.
  • Adeniji, O (2005) Costs and Dividends of Foreign Policy. In foreign policy in Nigeria’s democratic Transition. A Publicationof the presidential advisory council on international relations (PAC)
  • Babangida, I. (1992) In African Concord Magazine (August 13).
  • Baran, S. (2003) Introduction for Mass Communication: Media Literacy and Culture. New York: McGraw Hill Education.
  • Goldstein, J.S. (2003) International Relations New Delhi: Pearson Education
  • Idowu, S.O. (2000) Media in Nigeria’s Security and Development Vision (Ibadan: Spectrum Books Ltd.
  • Maduka, V. (1984) Government and the Media (The Guardian March 17) p.13
  • Mille, J. (1980) The Political Process and Foreign Policy. London: Prince University Press, 1980)
  • Usman, B. (1999) Voices in a Choir: Issues in Democratization and National Stability in Nigeria Kaduna: Kla Midas Books.
  • Ogene, C. (1983) Interest Group and Shaping of Foreign Policy Lagos: Nigerian Institute of International Affairs 1983,
  • Idang, J.G. (1980) The Make Ups of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Daily Times August 8 p.8 (See also, Idang J.G. Nigeria’s Internal Politics and External Image) Ibadan: University Press.
  • Odunewu, A. (1994) Government - Media Relationship The Guardian March 31 p.6.
  • Sessay, A. (1985). The Political System, How it Works (2nd ed) Washington: New American Library.
  • Offiong, O.J. (2000). The Determination of African Foreign Relations, Continuities, Changes and Constraints African Political Science Review Vol.9, No.9 p.137.
  • Oshuntokun, A. (1989). National Communication Policy and Foreign policy of Nigeria in Nnaemeka, T. et al (eds) Philosophy and Dimension of National Communication Policy Vol.9 Lagos: CBAAC.
  • Okengwu, E.F. (1987) The Role of the Media in Making of Foreign Policy (A Case of Study of Nigeria under Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s Administration 1979 – 1983) An Unpublished B.Sc Thesis, UNN.
  • Osoba, S.I. (1985) Issues in Foreign Policy (Daily Times July 7) p.5.
  • Onwuka, E. C (2010) Political and Economic Region in Nigeria: Gains and Losses. In Eze, O. C & Agbo, O (eds) Nigeria – Russia Relations in a Multipolar World. Lagos:NIIA.
  • Osuntokun, J (2005) Historical Background Survey of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy in Ogwu, U. J (ed)
  • Nnoli, A.O. (1989) Overview of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy in Relation to External Image building in Nnaemeka T. et al (ed) Philosophy and Dimension of National Communication Policy (Lagos: Center for Black and African Arts and Civilization p.327.
  • Ibie, O.N. and Abitudu, M.I. (1989) Nigeria: Towards Symmetry in Communication Goals and Foreign Policy Objectives in Nnaemeka, T. et al (eds) Philosophy and Dimension of National Communication Policy (Vol.9) Lagos: CBAAC.
  • Wallach, J. (1990) Leakers, Terrorists, Policy Makers and The Press in Serfaty, The Media and Foreign Policy London: Macmillan Academic and Professional Ltd.
  • MacBride, S. (1980) et al Many Voices, One World. Ibadan: University Press Ltd.
  • African Guardian (August 24, October 29, 1990)
  • Daily Star March 28 & 298, 1986.
  • The Guardian Newspaper, Feb. 11, 1986
  • The Guardian Newspaper Feb. 10, 1986.
  • National Concord Feb. 5, 1986, & African Concord Aug. 26, 1986
  • National Concord, Feb. 4, 1986.
  • Daily Star April 20; March 28, 1986
  • The Guardian, Feb. 10, 1986.
  • Chibundu, V.M. (2003) Foreign Policy with Particular Reference to Nigeria 1961 – 2002. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Ltd.
  • Sobawal, I. (1994) Nigerian Press Coverage of National Issues. A paper presented at the Three-Day Workshop, Otta, Ogun State.
  • Ishaku, J. (1984) Our South African Policy: Sunday Champion, p.10.
  • Alli, M.C. (2001) The Federal Republic of Nigeria Army Lagos: Malthouse Press Ltd, pp.
  • Daily Star, March 22, 1986.
  • Daily Star, March 28, 1986
  • Daily Star, October 16, 1985
  • Daily Star, October 22, 1985
  • Daily Times, August 17, 1985
  • Daily Times, May 11, 1992.
  • The Guardian, February 11, 1986
  • The Guardian. January 30, 1986.
  • The Guardian, November 18, 1985.
  • National Concord, February 10, 1986
  • National Concord, February 4, 1986.
  • National Concord, January 24, 1986.
  • National Concord, November 16, 1992.
  • National Concord, November 5, 1985.
  • The African Guardian, August 24, 1992.
  • The African Guardian, October 29, 1990
  • The African Guardian, April 20, 1992.
  • African Concord, February 20, 1986.
  • African Concord, August 26, 1986.