Issues in Mass Media in Nigeria
- Social Sciences
- 300 level
- 2 credit units
- 84 pages
- 15 units
This course provides an in-depth exploration of the key issues affecting mass media in Nigeria. It examines the historical evolution, ethical dilemmas, legal frameworks, and professional challenges within the Nigerian media landscape. Students will analyze socio-cultural and technological factors shaping media practices, including the impact of ICTs and citizen journalism. The course aims to equip students with a critical understanding of the dynamics influencing media operations and their role in national development.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 40 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of MAC314, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
MAC314 · UNIT 1 THE HISTORY OF PRINT MEDIA IN NIGERIA
1.0 INTRODUCTION The history of Nigeria mass media began with the print media which dated back to 1859. Since then the industry has remained vibrant. This unit, therefore, aims at offering a brief insight into the history of print media in Nigeria.
What you should be able to do
- Understand the historical development of mass media in Nigeria
- Analyze ethical dilemmas facing media practitioners
- Evaluate the legal and regulatory environment of Nigerian media
- Assess the impact of technology on media practices
- Critically examine the role of media in political processes
- Demonstrate awareness of socio-cultural issues in media
What it prepares you for
- Journalist
- Media Analyst
- Public Relations Officer
- Communication Specialist
- Editor
- Media
- Government
- Public Relations
- Advertising
- Non-profit Organizations
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Legal /Extra-Legal Issues in Nigerian Mass Media Industry
Unit 1: Newspaper Registration Act
The Newspaper Registration Act involves understanding complex legal frameworks and historical contexts, requiring critical analysis of its impact on press freedom and media ownership.
- Module 3: Legal /Extra-Legal Issues in Nigerian Mass Media Industry
Unit 4: Freedom of Information Act
The Freedom of Information Act requires a thorough grasp of legal provisions and their practical implications, including understanding the balance between public access to information and national security concerns.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 25 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Taking Off: A Brief Historical Overview of the Mass Media in Nigeria
Unit 1: History of Print Media in Nigeria · 1.5 hours
Read Unit 1: Understand the historical context of print media in Nigeria.. Identify key figures and publications.. Analyze the factors that contributed to the growth of print media..
Unit 2: History of Electronic Media in Nigeria · 1.5 hours
Read Unit 2: Explore the origins and development of electronic media in Nigeria.. Examine the role of government and private sectors in the growth of radio and television.. Discuss the challenges facing the electronic media industry..
- Week 2Module 2: Ethical Issue in Nigeria Mass Media Industry
Unit 1: The Brown Envelope Syndrome · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Define the brown envelope syndrome and its implications for journalistic integrity.. Analyze the arguments for and against the practice.. Discuss the ethical burdens imposed by brown envelope..
- Week 3Module 2: Ethical Issue in Nigeria Mass Media Industry
Unit 2: The Burden of News Commercialisation in Nigeria · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Understand the meaning of news commercialization and its impact on media credibility.. Examine the origin of news commercialization in Nigeria.. Discuss the socio-economic consequences of news commercialization..
- Week 4Module 3: Legal /Extra-Legal Issues in Nigerian Mass Media Industry
Unit 1: Newspaper Registration Act · 1.5 hours
Read Unit 1: Examine the Newspaper Registration Act and its provisions.. Discuss the implications of the Act for the newspaper industry.. Analyze the impact of the Act on press freedom..
- Week 5Module 3: Legal /Extra-Legal Issues in Nigerian Mass Media Industry
Unit 2: Deregulation of Broadcast Media in Nigeria · 1 hour
Read Unit 2: Understand the reasons behind the call for broadcast deregulation in Nigeria.. Examine the major provisions of the decree backing deregulation.. Discuss the implications of the decree for the broadcast industry..
Unit 3: National Broadcast Commission (NBC) · 1 hour
Read Unit 3: Explore the functions of the National Broadcast Commission (NBC).. Analyze the matters arising from the establishment of NBC.. Discuss the role of NBC in regulating the broadcast industry..
- Week 6Module 3: Legal /Extra-Legal Issues in Nigerian Mass Media Industry
Unit 4: Freedom of Information Act · 2 hours
Read Unit 4: Examine the background to the Freedom of Information Act.. Understand the essence of the Act.. Analyze the thoughts on major provisions of the Act..
- Week 7Module 3: Legal /Extra-Legal Issues in Nigerian Mass Media Industry
Unit 5: Extra-legal Measures of Controlling the Press · 2 hours
Read Unit 5: Understand the extra-legal measures of controlling the press.. Examine the unlawful detention of journalists.. Discuss the beating/killing of journalists and the seizing of working equipment..
- Week 8Module 4: Professional Issues in Nigeria Mass Media Industry
Unit 1: Press Freedom in Nigeria · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Define press freedom and its significance.. Analyze the factors impinging on the press in Nigeria.. Discuss the way out for effective press freedom..
- Week 9Module 4: Professional Issues in Nigeria Mass Media Industry
Unit 2: Mass Media and Politics in Nigeria · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Explore the relationship between mass media and political development.. Analyze the mass media and Nigeria's democratic process.. Discuss mass media partisanship..
- Week 10Module 5: Socio-Cultural/Technological Issues in Nigerian Mass Media
Unit 1: Rural News in Nigerian Mass Media · 1.5 hours
Read Unit 1: Understand the international news flow debate.. Examine the urban and rural news flow in Nigeria.. Discuss the need for greater rural news..
- Week 11Module 5: Socio-Cultural/Technological Issues in Nigerian Mass Media
Unit 2: Gender and Mass Media in Nigeria · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Explore the historical overview of gender and media.. Analyze gender representation in the Nigerian mass media.. Discuss gender images in the Nigerian mass media..
- Week 12Module 5: Socio-Cultural/Technological Issues in Nigerian Mass Media
Unit 3: ICTs and the Mass Media Industry in Nigeria · 1.5 hours
Read Unit 3: Define ICTs and their application in the Nigerian mass media.. Examine the extent of ICTs application in the Nigerian mass media.. Discuss the problems associated with ICTs..
- Week 13Module 5: Socio-Cultural/Technological Issues in Nigerian Mass Media
Unit 4: ICTs and Citizen Journalism in Nigeria · 1.5 hours
Read Unit 4: Define citizen journalism.. Explore the evolution of citizen journalism in Nigeria.. Discuss the problems of citizen journalism in Nigeria..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a timeline of key events in Nigerian media history (Units 1.1, 1.2).
- Develop case studies analyzing ethical dilemmas like the 'brown envelope syndrome' (Units 2.1, 2.2).
- Summarize the main provisions and implications of media laws (Module 3).
- Compare and contrast arguments for and against press freedom (Unit 4.1).
- Analyze the impact of ICTs on traditional media practices (Module 5).
- Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and Self-Assessment Exercises (SAEs).
Questions students ask about this course
What is MAC314 about?
This course provides an in-depth exploration of the key issues affecting mass media in Nigeria. It examines the historical evolution, ethical dilemmas, legal frameworks, and professional challenges within the Nigerian media landscape. Students will analyze socio-cultural and technological factors shaping media practices, including the impact of ICTs and citizen journalism. The course aims to equip students with a critical understanding of the dynamics influencing media operations and their role in national development.
How many units does MAC314 have?
MAC314, Issues in Mass Media in Nigeria, has 15 units across 5 modules, over 84 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is MAC314?
MAC314 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Social Sciences.
Is MAC314 hard?
MAC314 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does MAC314 take to study?
About 40 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is MAC314 assessed?
MAC314 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with MAC314?
Journalist, Media Analyst, Public Relations Officer, Communication Specialist and Editor.