Examination of the Impact of Ownership and Control on Objective News Reporting in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

ABSTRACT The researcher desired to examine the Examination of the Impact of Ownership and Control on Objective News Reporting in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The research work take a critical look into the objectives of the study which is to highlight the ways by which media ownership influences objectivity of political campaign and reporting, to give some information on the extent an objectivity policy has gone in destroying journalistic principles and to explore the extent to which such Guardian Newspaper complied with ethical standards by managing conflict-sensitivity reporting. In carrying out this research work, quantitative and qualitative design was used. The research instrument used in collecting data in this project work was the questionnaires, both primary and secondary sources of data was used to collect data. The researcher discover from the research work that the ways by which media ownership influences objectivity of socio-political milieu are through balance and even-handedness in presenting different sides of an issue, accuracy and realism in reporting and separation of facts from opinion and objectivity has gone in destroying journalistic principles to an extent. It was recommended that media owners in Nigeria should note that the success of any enterprise depends mainly on its management. More so, the mass media which have a sacred constitutional duty to the society should best be managed by trained media managers and media practitioners should ensure constant touch with their audience needs and aspirations in creation of messages. This is because no media system, however well intentioned, can survive without public acceptance. Audience satisfaction should therefore form the broadest base upon which every media output should be anchored if credibility questions are to be properly addressed.