CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
The mass media is increasingly enjoying a position of considerable importance throughout the international system precipitated by information explosion that is taking place in the world.1 This study examines the position of mass media in the coverage and reportage of foreign policy activities of states through informing, educating and enlightening the international community on issues and nature of international politics in general. The nature of the international system is such that no state can live in isolation because no state is completely self-sufficient. The social nature of man has also manifested in state behavior within the global system and as such the adoption of foreign policy became useful and inevitable.2 The foreign polices of states are shaped and determined by several factors which are domestic and external. The nature of a state, its political system and the political processes make up the domestic dynamics that affects a state’s foreign policy and external relations.3 It is on this backdrop that this study seeks to clearly examine the impact of the Nigerian Television Authority on the diplomatic practices of the Nigerian state.
The NTA over the years has played a critical role in both domestic and foreign policies of Nigeria and as such, its impact cannot be overemphasized. The end of the military rule in Nigeria as well as improvement in telecommunications gave the mass media a critical role to play in foreign policy process. These developments displaced old diplomatic methods increasing the diplomatic influence of non-traditional actors such as journalists.4 For a better and more organized research, this study is grouped into five different chapters.
Many scholars have written about the historical dimension of the activities of Nigeria’s diplomatic relations, like the role of domestic policies on diplomatic relations in Nigeria, the national interest and conduct of Nigeria’s external relations, the role of mass media on foreign policy and the historical television local contents and the conduit for cultural learning in Nigeria, amongst others. However, few works have been written on the role of government owned media in the promotion of the Nigeria’s diplomatic practices. This research work seeks to examine the nature, operational mode and impact of the Nigerian Television Authority activities in promoting diplomatic practices in Nigeria, and particularly help to show case the beauty to etiquette, protocol and manifestations of the Nigeria’s diplomatic practices.4 This study is essentially to examine how NTA has projected and promoted the cultural values of the Nigeria’s diplomatic practice.
Aims and Objective
The aim of this research is to assert the evaluation of the role of media in the promotion of the Nigeria’s diplomatic practices as its relates to NTA.
The study has the following as its basic objectives:
- To examine the historical antecedence of Nigeria diplomatic practices.
- To examine the history of the Nigerian Television Authority and its impact on the Nigerian foreign policy posture.
- To show how NTA has promoted aspects of the diplomatic practices of Nigeria.
- To show how the NTA has contributed to the spread or popularity of Nigerian diplomacy especially as its influence the socio-economic and political institutions of the Nigeria state.
- To examine the impact of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in the promotion of Nigerian diplomatic etiquette, protocol and manifestations of the Nigeria’s diplomatic mission; especially as it relates to economic, social and political potential in contemporary time.
Scope of Study
This study covers the period of 1996 to 2000, a period that examines how the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) promoted the diplomatic activities of the Nigeria’s diplomatic mission. The study covers the influence of NTA programmes on several of Nigeria’s diplomatic practices and activities in the international arena. This period is crucial because it brought about the unique features of the manifestations of Nigeria’s diplomatic practices.
Research Methodology
The credibility or authenticity of any research depends on the methods employed: the process of gathering, processing and analyzing data. This study has relied on data from both primary and secondary sources.
Primary Sources: The primary sources include archival materials from the Nigerian Television Authority in TV road Benin City, Edo state, and oral interviews will be carried out and collected on individuals or corporate bodies who specialize on issues related to diplomacy and media impact. The oral interviews conducted will be semi-structured and unstructured. Tools like sound recorder, pen and paper, and camera will be used to collect information from those that will be interviewed after which such information will be transcribed for more intense analysis.
Secondary Sources: The secondary sources include textbooks, journal, articles and vital and existing study materials from NTA Benin.
Literature Review
There is much literature on the Nigeria’s diplomatic activities as the review below shows. However, there are virtually limited works on the role of media on the promotion of Benin cultural heritage as it relates to NTA.
Godswill John Bassey, article titled, “Assessment Of Breakfast Shows On Television: A Study Of NTA’s ‘Am Express’ And CRBC Tv ‘Good Morning Cross River,”5 The article centres on assessment of breakfast shows on television, the author points out what viewers of NTA AM Express and CRBC Good Morning Cross River think about the programmes. The author shows that the audience of these television stations perceives the TV stations and their programmes as living up to their objective and guiding philosophy. They however disagreed on the suitability of the airtime for these programmes.6 Based on this, the author recommended that the stations should review the time-belt for these programmes to allow more viewership.