AN APPRAISAL OF THE PRINT MEDIA IN POLITICAL MOBILIZATION IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study appraises the role of the print media in political mobilization in Nigeria; using the Hope newspaper as a paradigm of the print media.The Media is the mirror of the society, and its role in developing the society cannot be overestimated. Suffice to say that the mass media as the fourth estate of governance had been assigned the various responsibilities in the society including the watchdog role, the educator and entertainer of the various segments of the people.The research design situates its findings in the Hope Newspaper using opinion poll method to gather facts as well as analyse same about the organization and the society.The study observes that Nigeria democratic system. having been bastardized and destroyed by poor politicking, the mass media as a mirror of society deserves a good image of self if it must correct the abnormality and injustice in the Nigeria democratic dispensation. This work identifies the functions, problems and prospects of the mass media (especially, the print) and equally highlights their ability to carry out this enormous responsibility f mobilizing the people towards a viable and sustaining democratic polity.The work highlights the impacts of the mass media in informing educating and entertaining the masses towards polity. It is hoped that the findings and recommendations in this work would be a relevant material for further research work in this field.