THE PERCEPTION OF FREEDOM OF INFORMAITON BILL BY JOURNALISTS IN BAYELSA STATE

THE PERCEPTION OF FREEDOM OF INFORMAITON BILL BY JOURNALISTS IN BAYELSA STATE

ABSTRACT

This study examined the perception of Freedom of Information Bill by journalists in Bayelsa State. A total of 150 copies of questionnaire were distributed to the population of study but only 120 copies were retrieved. The use of purposive and random sampling method of research were adopted to elicit the required information from the respondents and the use of questionnaire constituted the chief means of data collection by the researcher. The data got were analyzed using simple percentages and tables. It was revealed that journalists were aware of the Act and Positive perception of it but failed to make use of it. The study also identified some challenges of effect implementation of the act. By the findings, it was recommended that  journalist should carry out an in-depth study of the provisions of the act be acquainted with it, with a view to utilizing it.

TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                                PAGES

Title page    -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        i

Certification         -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        ii

Dedication  -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        iii

Acknowledgements -               -        -        -        -        -        -        iv

Abstract -   -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        v

Table of contents -        -        -        -        -        -        -        vi

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1            Introduction         -        -        -        -        -        -        -        1

1.2            Statement of the problem        -        -        -        -        -        5

1.3            Objectives of the study  -        -        -        -        -        7

1.4            Research questions        -        -        -        -        -        -        7

1.5            Significance of the study         -        -        -        -        -        8

1.6            Scope of the study         -        -        -        -        -        -        8

1.7            Limitations of the study -        -        -        -        -        9

1.8            Definition of terms         -        -        -        -        -        -        10

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0     Introduction         -        -        -        -        -        -        -        11

2.1     Conceptual review         -        -        -        -        -        -        12

2.2     Freedom of Information bill, the journey so far-            13

2.3     An overview of freedom of information act in Nigeria17

2.4     The challenges of FOIA -        -        -        -        -        19

2.5     The Prospect of FOIA   -        -        -        -        -        -        21

2.6     Theoretical review         -        -        -        -        -        -        24

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0     Introduction         -        -        -        -        -        -        -        28

3.1     Research design    -        -        -        -        -        -        28

3.2     Population of the study-          -        -        -        -        -        29     

3.3     Sample and sampling technique        -        -        -        29

3.4     Method of data collection        -        -        -        -        -        29

3.5     Validity of the instrument       -        -        -        -        30     

3.6     Method of data analysis          -        -        -        -        -        30

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS

4.0     Introduction         -        -        -        -        -        -        -        31

4.1     Data presentation -        -        -        -        -        -        31     

4.2     Data analysis       -        -        -        -        -        -        -        40

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1     Summary    -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        42

5.2     Conclusion -        -        -        -        -        -        -        43

5.3     Recommendations         -        -        -        -        -        -        43

         

REFERENCES   -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        45

Appendix I -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        47

Appendix II (Questionnaire)   -        -        -        -        -        48

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background to the Study

          Freedom of information includes among other things, the right of every citizen to have free and full access to the facts that directly or indirectly concern him/her. Such unrestricted access to all necessary official information is a crucial dimension of freedom of information and a condition for any society to hold, because only a well informed society can take intelligent or judicious decisions Ohiagu (2010: p.37). besides, an uniformed society can easily become unruly and hard to govern. In otherworlds, information guarantees peace since only an informed society can make intelligent decisions, information gap on the other hand generates misunderstandings and consequently unruly behaviours.

          The place of information in the society is enormous and should not be compromised. It is undeniable that information and its interpretation by the press creates a society knowledgeable enough to respond and react accordingly to the goings-on in the polity. The wisest society is the most informed society Asadu (2007:258) many countries who understand this have consigned all these obnoxious legislations to the dustbin of history, thereby making the press very effective and functional in the discharge of its watchdogs role in the society.

          Freedom of information bill which has been in the National Assembly for over a decade seeks:

          Make public record and information more freely available, provide for public access to public records and information, protect public records and information to the extent consistent with the public interest and the protection of personal privacy, protect serving public officers form adverse consequences for disclosing certain kinds of official information without authorization and establish procedures for the achievement of those purposes and related purposes thereof (Nigerian freedom of information coalition).

          As can be seen, freedom of information will enthrone good governance through transparency and accountability to the people. This of course will aid in the fight against corruption and the commitment of the government of the day in ridding the polity of the hydra-headed problem. Promoters of the bill have frequently argued that if it is passed, the anti-corruption agencies would and impetus to their efforts and operations to fight corruption and there would be records to trail any corruption allegation and charges. The former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime and Commission (EFCC) Mrs. Farida Waziri, in a paper, corroborated this when she said that, government should forget its anti-corruption war without the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill (FOIB). To her for any anti-corruption initiative to succeed in any society, certain structure and specific pillars of integrity such as political will. Effective law enforcement, Judiciary Legislature, media and civil society must be present and functional Eme & Asadu (2010: pg. 15). A major goal of freedom of information legislation is the promotion of transparency in the conduct of public affairs. It would increase availability of public records and information to citizens and given them a legal right of access to public information or records kept by government, public institutions, and or private bodies carrying out public functions for citizens. Government holds an immense amount of information without which it is impossible to understand what is happening in a country Ciboh (2010: p.4). Freedom of information sets a framework for openness, transparency, accountability and good governance and it is believed the law would do away with secrecy under which public official hide their misdeeds and would unlock the storehouse of public information to enable the people of Nigeria, hold their representative accountable.

          The concept of FOI Law for Nigeria became popular in 1993 by the activities of different civil rights organization. The objective was to establish as a legal principle the right of access to document and information in the custody of the government. It was seen as a necessary corollary to the guarantee of FOI/ the absence of a clear and defined framework led to several constraint and challenges in the efforts of civil society to realize the entrenchment of transparency and accountability as pillars of responsible governance. The FOI Bill was first submitted to Nigeria’s Fourth National Assembly in 1999 and its progress in the legislative proves was very slow. In all the FOI Bill spent over 11 years in the legislative process before it finally receive presidential assent.

1.2     Statement of the Problem

          Before the promulgation of the Act Nigeria had no law which guaranteed access to public records and information. On the contrary, many Nigerian laws have secrecy clauses prohibiting the disclosure of information. For example code, the Evidence Act etc. the Official Secret Act for instance prohibits the unauthorized transmission of any information which has been classified by any government branch as being unfavourable to the maintenance of Nigeria. As such, the arbitrary classification of any information was sufficient to deprive the public of relevant information.

          Overall, Nigeria public servants easily embraced the entrenched culture of secrecy and arbitrariness in civil and political administration. To obtain information from any government agency often proved very difficult. Former President Olusegn Obasanjo for instance, had earlier declined the presidential assent to the FOI Bill on the grounds that it would have negative implication on National security. However, President Goodluck Jonathan synied the FOI bid, into an act. Based on this, it is important to find out Journalist percepting this Act.

1.3     The Objectives of the Study

The following are the objectives of the study

1.     To examine the perception of freedom of information Bill by Journalists in Bayelsa State.

2.     To identify the challenges faced by journalists in accessing unhindered information.

3.     To identify the benefits of FOI Bill to journalists.

1.4     Research Questions

1.     What are the perception of FOI Bill by Journalists in Bayelsa State?

2.     What are the challenges of journalists in accessing unhindered information?

3.     Of what benefits is the FOI Bill to journalists.

1.5     Significance of the Study

          The findings of this research work will assist journalists to make known corrupt public servants who hide in an outdated legislation called official secret Act to steal public funds that are meant for National Development.

          This research work will bring to focus, the role of journalists in social political advancement of Nigeria which can be achieved if the Freedom of Information is utilized in their quest to uncover the splendid Act and notorious activities of public servants.

          The findings will be useful to researchers, students, academicians and the general public.

1.6     Scope of the Study

          This study is only concerned with the perception of freedom of Information Bill by Journalists in Bayelsa State. How journalists can have unhindered access to information that will unravel the hiding activities of public servants. It does not treat any other variable.

1.7     Limitations of the Study

          Every academic endeavour especially research work, has some forms of limitation or the other. The followings are the limitation of the study.

Poor attitude of some respondents: Most of the respondents approached for information were hostile. They felt that the information will be used against them.

The targeted respondents: The targeted respondents expected to give the required information for the research were nowhere to be found. They researcher had to visit several times.

Library services: Most of the libraries visited for materials were ill equipped as there was nothing appealing found.

1.8     Definition of Terms

1.     Act: Act is a law passed by the National Assembly e.g. an Act of Parliament.

2.     Bill: A bill is a formal statement of a proposed law that is looked into and then voted on.

3.     Freedom: Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what one wants to do.

4.     Information: Means unevaluated material of every description including those derived from observation, reports, rumours, imagery and other services.

5.     Journalists: Is a person whose job is to collect news and write about it for newspapers, magazine, television and radio.

6.     Perception: This means the way one thinks about something and the impression he has of it.