The role of the press and communication technology in democratization: The Nigerian case, 1990--1999

This research examined the press and communication technology's role in political transitions, particularly democratization, in Nigeria in the 1990s.; In the 1990s, Nigeria like several Asian, African, Eastern European and Latin American countries underwent transition programs to return to democracy. Democracy was the chosen political structure for various reasons, including the end of the cold war and need for international loans. Nigeria's democratization in the 1990s was a civil and international movement to free Nigeria from over 20 years of authoritarian military rule. The Nigerian press participated in the movement and sometimes used guerilla tactics to keep Nigerians informed in the 1990s. Military leaders responded with force, jailing, arresting and assassinating journalists. A few news organizations were also bombed.; The purpose of this study was to determine the Nigerian press' agenda regarding Nigeria's democratization in the 1990s, communication technology's contributions, and the challenges Nigerian journalists faced in performing their roles in the process. The study posed four research questions along these lines. Using the agenda setting theory as a guide, the study used qualitative (in-depth interviews) and quantitative (content analysis) research methods to answer the research questions. The researcher analyzed the contents of four Nigerian publications (two newspapers and two news magazines) to determine the press' agenda in the 1990s concerning democratization and military rule. Also, ten Nigerian journalists were interviewed to determine the press's role in the process and the challenges journalists faced in pushing for democratization.; The study found that the Nigerian press' agenda in the 1990s was that military rule should end and Nigeria should democratize. One thousand three hundred and thirteen stories appeared in the 1990s in the publications, pushing this agenda. The stories appeared along seven major themes. The participants said creating such an agenda was based on the belief that military rule was unfashionable, a failure, and more importantly, Nigerians wanted an end to military rule. The major challenges faced included the military government, the Nigerian public and environmental pressures. Moreover, available communication technologies like computers, cell phones, emails and the Internet helped the press to push for democracy. They also made journalism practice more effective in the 1990s.; The study concluded that the Nigerian press and communication technology played important roles in Nigeria's democratization in the 1990s.