Islamic Religion And Its Effect To Journalism In Delta State

Project and Seminar Material for Mass Communication

Abstract

This study was carried out on Islamic religion and its effect to journalism in Delta State. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprise of the entire journalist in Delta State broadcasting services, Warri. In determining the sample size, the researcher conveniently selected 57 respondents and 50 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables. While the hypotheses were tested using chi-square statistical tool. The result of the findings reveals Islamic religion has an effect on journalism. The study also revealed that the extent Islamic religion has an effect on journalism is high. The findings of the study further revealed that the knowledge of journalists on Islamic religion influences journalism practice. Therefore, the study recommends that journalists should be uninhibited and free to cover religion without intimidation. The study also recommends that journalists’ decisions should not be determined by their fear of violence or prosecution but by their profession and ethical judgement. To mention but a few.

Table of Content

Chapter One:

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objective of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypothesis
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Limitation of the Study
1.9 Definition of Terms
1.10 Organization of the Study

Chapter Two:

Review of Literature

2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review

Chapter Three:

Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population of the Study
3.3 Sample Size Determination
3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure
3.5 Research Instrument and Administration
3.6 Method of Data Collection
3.7 Method of Data Analysis
3.8 Validity of the Study
3.9 Reliability of the Study
3.10 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four:

Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1 Data Presentation
4.2 Analysis of Data
4.3 Answering Research Questions
4.4 Test of Hypotheses

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
References
APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

The question of what influences news content has become a debatable topic over the past few years (Al-Hasani, 2003; Colistra, 2008; Reese & Shoemaker, 2016; Riffe, 2011; Rossman, 2003). Understanding the nature of media content is crucial as it provides valuable indicators of social phenomena and represents a “useful and descriptive term that describes media output” (Reese & Shoemaker, 2016, p. 5). News content is the primary component of the news media. Therefore, publishers, editors, and journalists must be well-informed of news content formation, since it is they who might eventually be accountable for it. Despite the requirement for a series of editing processes in newspapers, at times, copies pass through almost unchanged and finally published. The quality and credible news content is often compromised (Hrvatin & Petkovic, 2004; Pędziwiatr, 2010). In the contemporary media environment, Islam is often presented as negative archetypes, generally through manipulation of the news content (Hassan & Azmi, 2018; Shadid & Van Koningsveld, 2002). As a result, a growing number of scholars have expressed concern over the role of the media in constructing narratives that accentuate the sinister image of Islam (Alatas, 2005; Ahmed & Matthes, 2017; Ameli, Marandi, Ahmed, Kara, & Merali, 2007; Ammar, 2009; Dahinden, Koch, Wyss, & Keel, 2011; Powell, 2018). The media often use sensational content, creating superfluous fears, perhaps through exaggeration or by highlighting the negative aspect of the story (Ransohoff & Ransohoff, 2001).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Previous studies established that news content is likely to be influenced by different factors within and outside the media outlets (Colistra, 2008; Riffe, 2011; Reese & Shoemaker, 2016). None of the previous studies specifically focused on the influences on Islam-related news content. Therefore, this study aims to address the question of what influences Islam-related news content from the media experts’ perspectives. Studying these influences could be useful in understanding the complex factors shaping the media content, particularly Islam-related news. The news content must be taken seriously in the systematic analysis of media characteristics as it signals a particular research tradition (Reese & Shoemaker, 2016). In the light of the above this study seek to examine Islamic religion and its effect to journalism.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main aim of this study is to examine Islamic religion and its effect to journalism. Other aims of this study are:

To determine whether Islamic religion has an effect on journalism.
To determine the extent Islamic religion has an effect on journalism.
To determine whether the knowledge of journalists on Islamic religion influences journalism practice.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

Does Islamic religion have an effect on journalism?
What extent does Islamic religion have an effect on journalism?
Does the knowledge of journalists on Islamic religion influence journalism practice?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses will validate this study:

H0: Islamic religion does not have an effect on journalism.

Ha: Islamic religion does have an effect on journalism.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study will be of benefit to the media industry as it will reveal the effects of Islamic religion on journalism in Nigeria.

This study is significant to the Nigerian broadcasting commission, as it will make them improve in the ways that will make the profession trust worthy.

This study is also significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on Islamic religion and its effect to journalism. Specifically, this study focuses on determining whether Islamic religion has an effect on journalism, determining the extent Islamic religion has an effect on journalism and determining whether the knowledge of journalists on Islamic religion influences journalism practice. The respondents for this study will be obtained from journalist in Delta State broadcasting services, Warri.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

This study was constrained by a number of factors which are as follows:

Just like any other research, ranging from unavailability of needed accurate materials on the topic under study, inability to get data.

Financial constraint , was faced by the researcher ,in getting relevant materials and in printing and collation of questionnaires.

Time factor: time factor pose another constraint since having to shuttle between writing of the research and also engaging in other academic work making it uneasy for the researcher.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Journalism: Journalism is the production and distribution of reports on the interaction of events, facts, ideas, and people that are the “news of the day” and that informs society to at least some degree. The word, a noun, applies to the occupation, the methods of gathering information, and the organizing literary styles.

1.10 Organization of the Study

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, abnd selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations:

5.1 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings on Islamic religion and its effect to journalism using Delta State broadcasting services, Warri as a case study. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.

5.2 Summary of the Study

In this study, our focus was Islamic religion and its effect to journalism using Delta State broadcasting services, Warri as a case study. The study was specifically carried out to determine whether Islamic religion has an effect on journalism, determine the extent Islamic religion has an effect on journalism, and determine whether the knowledge of journalists on Islamic religion influences journalism practice. The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 50 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent were journalist in Delta State broadcasting services, Warri.

5.3 Conclusions

Based on the findings of this study, the researcher concluded that;

Islamic religion has an effect on journalism.
The extent Islamic religion has an effect on journalism is high.
The knowledge of journalists on Islamic religion influences journalism practice.

5.4 Recommendation

Based on the responses obtained, the researcher proffers the following recommendations:

There should be equity is the media coverage of the religious groups in Nigeria
Journalists should be uninhibited and free to cover religion without intimidation.
Journalists’ decisions should not be determined by their fear of violence or prosecution but by their profession and ethical judgement.