AKSU Journal of Communication Research (AJCR)

IMPACT OF THE CHALLENGES OF DEMOCRACY AND THE MEDIA ON DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Author:  EMMANUEL OMULA, PhD & AGU IKENNA EMMANUEL, PhD

Abstract
The study sought to find out the challenges of democracy and the media, and the effects of these challenges on development. The study was anchored on Development Media Theory.The study adopted Library Research Method. Findings revealed that, corruption, greed and selfishness, weak institutions and the fact that power does not reside in the people are challenges to democracy. Findings also showed that, news commercialization, ownership influence and weak institution are challenges that confront the media in Nigeria .It was revealed that one thing that makes corruption to thrive in Nigeria is that, corruption cases involving high profile personalities were never resolved, and that corruption is democracy’s biggest challenge.Finding revealed that media ownership influence is a setback to development as it tends to relegate objectivity, fairness and balance to the oblivion.It was concluded that the media cannot hold government accountable when our institutions are weak and when power does not reside in the people.It was thereforerecommendedthatleaders at all levels should endeavour to adhere to the principles of democracy and that our institutions need to be strengthen.