FoI Act, Mass Media and the Civil Society in the Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria

Abstract

This study explores the relevance of the Nigerian Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) to the fight against corruption in the country. It examines the awareness of the Act by both journalists and the civil society who need it to effectively expose corrupt practices and complement the efforts of anti-graft agencies in the fight against corruption in the country. Libertarian press theory, which advocates for total freedom of speech and of the press to operate in society, serves as the theoretical framework for the study. Descriptive survey design has been adopted, with uniform questionnaire items issued to a sample of 260 respondents comprising journalists as professionals and members of the civil society across various disciplines and professions. These have been selected using purposive sampling method within Jalingo metropolis, the capital city of Taraba State. The resulting data have been analysed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Findings reveal that residents of the surveyed population are aware of the existence and provisions of the FoIA. However, the Act has not been effectively utilized to fight corruption due to fear of harassment and intimidation, corruption among journalists who are after ‘brown envelope’ and personal interests among other reasons. The study recommends that adequate security measures should be put in place to safeguard the lives of those who expose corruption. Also, journalists are charged to put national interest first above personal interest, and desist from the act of begging for financial rewards from public office holders. This will make them to be independent, and place them in a better position to expose corruption in the country.

Keywords: FoI Act, Mass Media, Civil Society, Corruption and Nigeria