ANALYZING AUDIENCE PERCEPTION OF MEDIA COVERAGE IN ANTI GRAFT ACTIONS AGAINST FUND LOOTERS IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF RESIDENTS IN BENIN CITY

ABSTRACT

This study examined audience perception of Media Coverage in Anti-Graft Actions Against Fund Looters in Nigeria: Case Study of Residents in Benin City Edo State. The study was built around the tenets of Libertarian Press theory, Social Responsibility theory and Agenda setting theory. The study adopted the Survey research method and employed Questionnaires as primary instrument for data collection. Two hundred and twenty two (222) copies of questionnaires were physically administered to respondents in Benin metropolis, this was aided using the Purposive Sampling technique. The study found out that Media are potent tools for crusading against fund looting and corrupt practices in Nigeria. However, Media ownership pattern and unfavourable Government policies to a large extent mitigate against the extent of Media Coverage in Anti-Graft Actions Against Fund Looters in Nigeria. The study recommends that Government should promulgate enabling laws that discourages Fund Looting and corrupt practices in Nigeria so as to bring fund looters to book (make them bear the consequences of their actions) so that it can serve as deterrent to potential fund looters. In the same vein, the Media should invest in programmes that discourages corruption and promote accountability and transparency among public office holders in Nigeria. More importantly, Government should review the tenets of "Public officers protection Act" and they should enforce the provisions of "Freedom of Information Act (FOI) " so that the mm Media can get easy access to information needed for objective and balanced reportage