Nigeria And The International Information Flow -Issues And Perspectives

ABSTRACT

This study is primarily conducted out of the conviction that Nigeria's role in international information gathering and dissemination has left much to be desired. The propelling aim of this study, therefore, is to critically examine the various factors bedeviliing Nigeria's effective performance in the international information system. Secondly, the study attempts to map out appropriate implementable strategies that would enhance Nigeria's role in the international information system, in consonance with the current trends in the global information order. The tool of research primarily used in this study is historical methodology of data collection. However, other tools used in data collection include personal observation and the conduction of oral interviews with information and communication experts and various stakeholders. The study discusses and critically exammes vanous perspectives that relate to Nigeria's roles in the international information system. These include, the National �Aass Communication Policy as it relates to the Nigeria's external communication structures, Nigeria and the New World Information and Communication Order; the structure and operations of the international media; Nigeria as portrayed by the International media, as well as the international media and cultural imperialism and its impact on the Nigerian society. Also discussed and analysed are the various government policy measures and institutional frameworks as they relate to the International Information flow. At the end of this study, it was concluded that Nigeria's dismal performance in the international information system is largely due to the under funding of the relevant information organs and unavailability of technological wherewithal and infrastructural facilities. There is also the issue of the gap between policy formulation and implementations as well as inadequate skilled manpower, among others. v TABLE