THE IMPORTANCE OF MASS MEDIA IN PROMOTING EQUALITY IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

The mass media may have a crucial role in either reinforcing, or challenging such inequalities. Television, radio, newspapers and film have long been recognized as key players in society: helping to define people’s sense of taken-for-granted normality (see Eldridge et al., 1997). “The role of Mass Media in promoting Gender equality in Nigeria in Nigeria in Nigeria”. This study examines the problems, first, defining the importance of women to participate in politics, social and economic life in Nigeria. The survey research method was employed in this study and questionnaires were used for data collection, then the hypotheses were tested using chi-square statistical procedure to reach a definite conclusion. The results reflect that Mass Media have positive impact in Promoting women to participate in politics, social and economic life in Nigeria. In summary, Mass Media is found wanting in fostering development for gender equality in politics, social and economic life in Nigeria. In recommendations, suggestion of ways to stimulate female participation was made by looking at practical examples of how this was done in the pre-colonial era. Finally, in conclusion, The need for gender equality is simply the thing to do especially in this age of globalization and change. The need has not been more urgent in the current political dispensation in Nigeria, leaders must provide political developmental program that will propel women in economic, political and social development.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1    BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Gender has become one of the “fault-lines” running through the political landscape of Nigeria. Since independence in 1960, Nigerian women have been challenging their role in society. The formation of women movement in the country has lent an impetus to the struggle of women and helps put women issues in the front burner. Consequently, a few Nigerian women have been appointed to important position and pocket of them have won election. The elections of 2003 in the country have not given a push to women; rather the elections have served as dividing lines between women and men. Consequently, “gender politics, social and economic life in Nigeria” has polarized Nigeria political landscape into two camps. The first camp is predominantly dominated by those who want to maintain societal traditions. The second camp is populated by women who are in pursuit of dismantling the patriarchal structure of society. Many studies have considered the issue of women’s marginalization in Nigeria. For examples, Ejiogu (1982) considers barriers placed to keep women from prestigious positions. Lewis (1980) in her fascinating studies focuses on women’s role in African society, their contributions, and the reason women have been excluded from development programs. Byrne et al, (1986) Afonji(1981) maintains that modernization theory cannot explain female subordination in Nigeria. Thestudy use Yoruba women as a case study, and concludes that the value places on women as biological and sociological reproduction function.

As research on the interface between women, media, and politics, social and economic life in Nigeria begin to develop the common means to begin to look at early research. In Images of Women in Mass Media, Tuchman (1978) coins the words “symbolic annihilation’ to describe “the media’s condemnation, trivialization and omission of women.” Since then an avalanche of scholarship has quantified and qualified the news media’s sin against women. (Fountain, ) For examples: Coverage of gender, media and politics, social and economic life in Nigeria has been explored by Norris, (J997): institutional sexism that relegates women to ‘maternal punditry slots’ by Wolf, (1993). Media presentation of women politicians in a gendered lens in terms of sex role (see, Ross,(1996); Rakow, (1994); and Koch (1999); Iyengar, (1991) discussed the effect of framing and Jamieson (2003) considers how media set the agenda fornational debates. Based on this background, the way media portray women is contentious (Norris, 1997). This paper explores weather media coverage of women in Nigeria reinforces rather than challenges the dominant culture, and thereby contributes to the marginalization of women in public life. Added to this, the paper seeks to explore whether the media depict women through gender-relevant or gender-neutral perspective. In order to do this, the central question to answer are: are there significant differences in reporting news about women? Are women in Nigeria portrayed in sex oriented terms? And finally, is the portrayal of women seen in the news as gendered frame,(Norris, 1997). It ca failed in their functions as instrument for educating the masses.

1.2    STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

It is not a hidden fact that women are under represented in the field of politics, social and economic life in Nigeria. This may be because of the basic assumption that “a women’s place is in the kitchen”. In other words, her home duties and family responsibilities should be her sole priority, thereby underling her active participation in national development in general.

          Another assumption militating against female participation is that, female is biologically not designed for energy exerting and hazardous occupation. This argument may not be true because, with the age of automation and revolution in decision making intellectual ability counts more than physical energy.

          The issue of gender bias too, contributes enormously to the low Promotion of Gender Equality in Nigeria. Beverly’ (1995), notes that the society assumes that women should be mothers, school teachers, hairdressers, secretaries, nurse, maids and social workers only, therefore, they do not need education not to talk of taking part in decision making. This believe is wrong, as both men and women need and can purse politics, social and economic life in Nigeria and projects in development, each in their own unique ways, alongside each other.

          The home too is not left out in contributing to female lack of participation in politics, social and economic life in Nigeria. In the home husbands attitudes can directly or indirectly influence the choices their wives make in whether to enter into politics, social and economic life in Nigeria or not.

          Many political parties, reflecting the more general conditions in the rest of society, do not easily accept or promote many women into their echelons, let alone permit women’s occupation of important positions within these parties. This issue is particularly important in view of Abdullah’s (1993) argument that to achieve women liberation, it will be tacked within democratic movements.

Thus, if this issue is not looked into, women will be illiterates and there will be backwardness in the economy of the country and growth of politics, social and economic life in Nigeria will depreciate.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objective of this study is to use Mass Media to promote gender Equality in Nigeria, also to voice out some cultural values in Nigeria that make it difficult for women to participate in the decision making process. There is need for attitudinal change and total reorientation in this respect.

Another objective of the study is to stop the issue of women being victims of violence in the home.

1.4  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

          It is expected that at the end of this study, to update knowledge within the framework of the study.        Particularly, it will assist people’s views on the usefulness of Mass Media in Promoting women to take part in decision-making. This study will draw the attention of government to empower women to participate in politics, social and economic life in Nigeria through the use of radio, television, films and motion pictures in their packaging of news reports and events, and to academics in their practices and training of journalist. The government should promote the welfare of women in general. Also the federal government should promote the full utilization of women in the development of human resources and to bring about their acceptance as full participation in every phase of national development with equal right.