The Mass Media and Elections in Nigeria: a social responsibility

Abstract

The study is on the mass media and election in Nigeria: a social responsibility. No credible election can take place without the participation of the media. The functions of the media in a democratic society, especially during an election is to, inform and educate the electorates about candidate’s credentials, capabilities, and competence, antecedents, the party manifestoes and the electoral process, enlightened and mobilised the people to participate in the electoral process. This way, the people will make an informed decision on the party and the candidates to vote for, that best represents their interest. In addition, the mass media are agents of social change capable of changing people’s apathy during an election. This paper is aimed at examining the conceptual definition of election, using the social Responsibility and the media dependency theory as a theoretical framework, media and national development, media and electoral process in Nigeria, media’s justification for covering an election, code of conduct on media engagement in elections, election, the media and freedom of speech, role of the media in election, challenges and the way forward were identified.

Keywords: Democracy, Elections, Electoral Process, Media responsibility, Nigerian media

DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/104-11

Publication date: July 31^st 2023