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MAC113

History of Nigeria Mass Media

This course provides an overview of the history of mass media in Nigeria. It explores the evolution of newspapers from the pre-colonial era to post-independence, highlighting the contributions of key figures and the political factors that shaped their development. The course also examines the expansion of broadcast media and the impact of deregulation on the industry. It aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the historical context of Nigerian mass media.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
52 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical, case study
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assignments
  • Final examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

MAC113 · UNIT 1: MEANING AND SCOPE OF MASS MEDIA

1.0 INTRODUCTION The mass media have been around us for many centuries and affect every aspect of our daily lives. At times, most of the mass media users are the captive audience. The issues in this unit will discuss the meaning and types of communication media and socialisation.

What you should be able to do

  1. Define mass media and its types
  2. Identify key figures in Nigerian media history
  3. Discuss the role of newspapers in pre and post-colonial Nigeria
  4. Explain the evolution of radio and television broadcasting
  5. Analyze the concept of press freedom and its limitations
  6. Evaluate the impact of deregulation on the Nigerian media landscape

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Journalist
  • Media Analyst
  • Public Relations Officer
  • Broadcasting Professional
  • Communications Specialist
Where it is applied
  • Newspapers
  • Television
  • Radio
  • Public Relations
  • Advertising

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 2: Media Evolution in Nigeria

    Unit 4: Press Freedom

    Understanding the legal and ethical considerations surrounding press freedom requires critical analysis of constitutional rights and limitations.

  • Module 3: Colonial Newspapers

    Unit 1: The Birth of Nigerian Newspapers: Zik and the West African Pilot

    Analyzing Zik's strategies and the political context of the West African Pilot demands understanding of nationalist movements and colonial resistance.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 50 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Introduction
    • Unit 1: Meaning and Scope of Mass Media · 2 hours

      Read Unit 1: Definition of mass media, types of mass communication, and media's role in socialization.. Complete self-assessment exercises on mass media types and components..

    • Unit 2: Antecedents of Modern Mass Media · 2 hours

      Study Unit 2: Explore informal and formal transference media.. Identify adjuncts of mass media and their symbiotic relationships.. Complete tutor-marked assignment..

    • Unit 3: Functions of the Mass Media · 2 hours

      Study Unit 3: Examine the functions of mass media: surveillance, correlation, socialization, and entertainment.. Analyze mass media systems and coverage.. Discuss dysfunctions of mass media..

  2. Week 2Module 2: Media Evolution in Nigeria
    • Unit 1: Contributions of Henry Townsend · 2 hours

      Study Unit 1: Explore contributions of Henry Townsend to the Nigerian press.. Analyze the establishment, content, and readership of Iwe Irohin..

    • Unit 2: Other Contributors to Media Evolution in Nigeria · 2 hours

      Study Unit 2: Examine the profile of Robert Campbell and the birth of Anglo-African newspaper.. Discuss the role of Anglo-African in the development of Nigeria's press..

  3. Week 3Module 2: Media Evolution in Nigeria
    • Unit 3: Advancement of Nigeria Newspapers: The Weekly Record · 2 hours

      Study Unit 3: Analyze the formation of Lagos Weekly Record.. Discuss issues that attracted the attention of the Weekly Record..

    • Unit 4: Press Freedom · 2 hours

      Study Unit 4: Define press freedom and its history.. Examine constitutional guarantees and limits to press freedom..

  4. Week 4Module 3: Colonial Newspapers
    • Unit 1: The Birth of Nigerian Newspapers: Zik and the West African Pilot · 2 hours

      Study Unit 1: Examine the establishment of the West African Pilot.. Discuss the editorial policy and contributions of the Pilot..

    • Unit 2: Awolowo and the Tribune · 2 hours

      Study Unit 2: Explore the life of Obafemi Awolowo and his contributions to the media.. Analyze the establishment and role of the Tribune newspaper..

  5. Week 5Module 3: Colonial Newspapers
    • Unit 3: The Daily Times · 2 hours

      Study Unit 3: Trace the birth of the Daily Times.. Examine government ownership and major highlights of the paper..

    • Unit 4: The Expansion of Newspapers in the East and North · 2 hours

      Study Unit 4: Discuss the expansion of newspapers in the East and North.. Analyze Gaskiya Tafi Kwabo, Citizen, and other publications..

  6. Week 6Module 4: Post Colonial Media
    • Unit 1: The Post Independence Media in Nigeria · 3 hours

      Study Unit 1: Examine post-independence newspapers in Nigeria.. Analyze the Guardian, Post Express, Concord, and Sun newspapers..

  7. Week 7Module 4: Post Colonial Media
    • Unit 2: Evolution of Radio/TV Broadcasting in Nigeria · 3 hours

      Study Unit 2: Trace the evolution of radio and TV broadcasting in Nigeria.. Examine regional broadcasting and the Nigeria Television Service..

  8. Week 8Module 4: Post Colonial Media
    • Unit 3: News Agency of Nigeria · 3 hours

      Study Unit 3: Discuss the origin, functions, and services of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).. Analyze the management structure of NAN..

  9. Week 9Module 4: Post Colonial Media
    • Unit 4: Deregulation of Broadcast Media in Nigeria · 3 hours

      Study Unit 4: Discuss the history and challenges of deregulation of broadcasting in Nigeria.. Analyze the issuance of licenses and the establishment of private broadcasting stations..

  10. Week 10Module 1: Introduction
    • Review: Module 1 · 4 hours

      Review Module 1: Introduction. Focus on key concepts: meaning and scope of mass media, antecedents of modern mass media and functions of the mass media.

  11. Week 11Module 2: Media Evolution in Nigeria
    • Review: Module 2 · 4 hours

      Review Module 2: Media Evolution in Nigeria. Focus on key concepts: Contributions of Henry Townsend, other contributors to media evolution in Nigeria, advancement of Nigeria Newspapers: The Weekly Record and press freedom.

  12. Week 12Module 3: Colonial Newspapers
    • Review: Module 3 · 4 hours

      Review Module 3: Colonial Newspapers. Focus on key concepts: The birth of Nigerian newspapers: Zik and the West African Pilot, Awolowo and the Tribune, The Daily Times and the expansion of newspapers in the East and North.

  13. Week 13Module 4: Post Colonial Media
    • Review: Module 4 · 4 hours

      Review Module 4: Post Colonial Media. Focus on key concepts: The Post Independence Media in Nigeria, Evolution of Radio/TV Broadcasting in Nigeria, News Agency of Nigeria and Deregulation of Broadcast Media in Nigeria.

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create a timeline of key events in Nigerian media history from pre-colonial to post-independence eras.
  • Compare and contrast the editorial policies of different newspapers like the West African Pilot and the Daily Times.
  • Summarize the contributions of key figures like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Henry Townsend.
  • Analyze landmark cases related to press freedom and media regulation in Nigeria.
  • Practice essay questions on the impact of colonialism and deregulation on the Nigerian media landscape.

Questions students ask about this course

What is MAC113 about?

This course provides an overview of the history of mass media in Nigeria. It explores the evolution of newspapers from the pre-colonial era to post-independence, highlighting the contributions of key figures and the political factors that shaped their development. The course also examines the expansion of broadcast media and the impact of deregulation on the industry. It aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the historical context of Nigerian mass media.

How many units does MAC113 have?

MAC113, History of Nigeria Mass Media, has 15 units across 4 modules, over 89 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is MAC113?

MAC113 carries 2 credit units, at 100 level in Social Sciences.

Is MAC113 hard?

MAC113 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.

How long does MAC113 take to study?

About 52 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.

How is MAC113 assessed?

MAC113 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assignments and final examination.

What can I do with MAC113?

Journalist, Media Analyst, Public Relations Officer, Broadcasting Professional and Communications Specialist.

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