ABSTRACT
This research was designed to assess the impact of the media in checking economic crime in Nigeria. This study specifically examined how the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through the media (Thisday and Sun newspapers) arrested and persecuted individuals found wanting in money laundering, fraud etc. The researcher used content analysis research method. This method facilitated a proper measurement on the content categories of the newspapers mentioned above on their reportage on economic and financial crime. These content categories includes news, features, Editorial, front page and inside page. The unit of analysis includes frequency, prominence, depth of coverage and direction. Equally data was sourced and collected from relevant texts, journals, and EFCC Act 2004. The major findings of the study show that newspapers were very powerful tool in the assessment and checkmating of financial and economic crime in Nigeria between 2009 to 2010.
PROPOSAL
Assessing the Impact of the Media in Checking Economic Crime (A Case Study of EFCC Activities). This study is aimed at the impact the media has made in checking economic crime which has brought to the activities of EFCC in Nigeria. In selecting the medium to use, Thisday and Sun newspaper strategy is being adopted (i.e. the print media). The bases on which this study has is to determine how adequately these newspapers covered the EFCC activities between 2009 and 2010. The research will contain content analysis research method in carrying out the study. Three hypotheses will be formulated for the study.
The hypotheses both have null and alternative hypotheses. The newspaper industry is a specialized industry. It has a unique pattern of reporting based on inverted pyramid style. More national papers are reckoned with professional approaches to news gathering and reporting. There has always been strict compliance to the pattern of reporting in other to conform with the international standard in reportorial style. Any act of deviation from this style is a professional blunder.
From the foregoing assessment method put in place by the researcher, it will truly ascertain in the researcher’s appraisal work if the media has really help in its impact in checking and reporting economic crime.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Approval Page ii
Dedication iii
Abstract iv
Acknowledgements v
Table of Contents vi
List of Tables viii
Proposal
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study 2
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem 6
1.3 Objectives of the Study 7
1.4 Significance of the Study 8
1.5 Research Questions 9
1.6 Research Hypotheses 10
1.7 Theoretical Framework 11
1.8 Scope of the Study 13
1.9 Limitation of the Study 13
1.10 Definition of Terms 13
References 17
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
2.1 Source of Literature 18
2.2 Review of Relevant Literature 18
2.3 Summary of Literature 30
References 32
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design 33
3.2 Area of Study 35
3.3 Research Population 35
3.4 Research Sample 36
3.5 Sampling Technique 37
3.6 Instrument of Data Collection 38
3.7 Method of Data Collection 39
3.8 Method of Data Analysis 39
3.9 Expected Results 40
CHAPTER FIVE
PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS
4.1 Data Presentation and Analysis 41
4.2 Analysis of Research Questions 46
4.3 Discussion of Results 47
CHAPTER V
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary 50
5.2 Conclusion 53
5.3 Recommendations 54
Bibliography 56
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Population/Sample Table 35
Table 2: Extent of covering of news items 41
Table 3: Content categories of stories covered by the selected newspaper 42
Table 4: Nature of Story 43
Table 5: Direction of Stories 44
Table 6: Placement of news of both newspapers 45
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
The rate of crimes in Nigeria is on the high side, the federal government of Nigeria has put in so much resources in the resolution of crimes in Nigeria; the EFCC is one of the crime fighting agency in Nigeria; with the help of media the presure on EFCC in terms of detecting crimes has reduced. the use of media in the fight against crime proved significant for years; as it is very resoucesful interms of giving the entire public latest updates concerning the level of crimes in Nigeria; of all the media the newspaper especially the sun newspaper provides more information than other news papers and media.
The rate of crime in Nigeria is growing at a faster rate with the growth of the Nigeria economy; various media in Nigeria are doing very well in terms revealing to the general public about what is happening in Nigeria; without median the EFCC can not monitor every proceedings in the country; the news paper play a major role in the distribution of information all over Nigeria; there are other media that does this but their reliability is a question; take the television and radio for instance; when there is no supply of electricity; they can not function; but this is no the case with the use of newspaper as a tool for checking all forms of crimes in Nigeria; be it financial crimes or otherwise.
The development of media has a positive significant impact in the growth and development of Nigeria; through accurate distribution of information and ideas.
There are different types of crimes in Nigeria but for the purpose of the research work, we shall focus on economic crime.
What is economic crime? Economic crime refer to illegal acts committed by an individual or a group of individuals to obtain a financial or professional advantage. The newspaper plays a major role in bringing out money looters and other economic crimes in Nigeria.
Median helps in checking crimes in that; it gives updates of the funds allocated to each sectors in Nigeria, it also helps to monitor the developmental process of the projects the funds were set aside for.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The rate of economic crimes in Nigeria is the major concern of the state and the federal government of Nigeria; the federal government of Nigeria have always called for accountability in all sectors in Nigeria; the EFCC plays a major role in the resolution of economic crimes in Nigeria. media in Nigeria is doing the best they could but they are not too effective apart from the newspaper; other media seem less effective because of some factors affecting them; take the television and radion for instance; without electricity they can not function effectively; if there is constant supply of electricity; these areas of media will be more effective.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTION
1. What are the roles of newspaper in the eradication of economic crimes in Nigeria?
2. What are the major causes of economic crimes in Nigeria?
3. What is the impact of other media in checking economic crimes in Nigeria?
4. What are the best ways of preventing economic crimes in Nigeria?
5. What should the federal government of Nigeria do in the eradication of economic crimes in Nigeria?
1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
H0: media has no significant effect on the level of economic crimes in Nigeria.
H1: media has significant effect on the level of economic crimes in Nigeria.
H0: Newspaper as a media have no significant effect on the eradication of economic crimes in Nigeria
H1: Newspaper as a media have significant effect on the eradication of economic crimes in Nigeria.
1.5 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
The aims of the research work is to determine:
1. The roles of newspaper in the eradication of economic crimes in Nigeria.
2. The major causes of economic crimes in Nigeria.
3. The impact of other media in checking economic crimes in Nigeria.
4. The best ways of preventing economic crimes in Nigeria.
5. What should the federal government of Nigeria should do in the eradication of economic crimes in Nigeria.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
The research work will help the federal government of Nigeria and the EFCC to monitor the rate of economic crimes in Nigeria. it will also give room for the responses of the respondents to air their view concerning economic crimes in Nigeria, the study will offer solution to the federal government of Nigeria on the best media platform to operate with.
1.7 SCOPE OF STUDY
The study will focus on the impact of media in checking economic crimes in Nigeria with main focus on the roles of the EFCC from the year 2009 to 2010.
1.8 THEORITICAL FRAME WORK
Durkheim (1933) believed that the specialized division of labour and the rapid expansion of industrialized society contained threats to social solidarity. They tended to produce a situation of anomie, which literally means normlessness. Anomie is present when social controls are weak, when the moral obligations that constrain individuals and regulate their behaviour are not strong enough to function effectively. He argued that crime is an inevitable and normal aspect of social life. It is inevitable because not every member of society can be equally committed to the collective sentiments (the shared values and moral beliefs) of society.[9] Durkheim saw a number of indications of anomie in late 19th century industrial society in particular in high rate of suicide and other crimes, industrial conflicts etc. With increased prosperity, desires increase; the traditional rules lose their authority and behaviours become more exigent and impatient of control. He believed that solution to anomie could be provided within the existing framework of industrial society. Globally, the police as an agent of government have the legal function to prevent and control crime in the society.
In the Nigerian context in the 21st century, the breakdown of family values, high unemployment rate, the prevalence of the twin evils of bribery and corruption, and the inability of the police to function effectively in the prevention and control of crime due to inadequate equipment and demoralized personnel, have all contributed significantly to the breakdown of law and order. It is a fact that there is a reign of chaos and terror in the polity and citizens sleep with virtually one eye open. On the highways and in the homes, every minute is lived on the edge as criminals may strike anytime. Criminal activities such as murder, rape, theft etc are on the increase and these have thrown the polity into greater confusion and fear. It is indeed a situation of normlessness as the anomie theory stipulates.
1.9 LIMITATION OF STUDY
FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS: The researcher was could not go to all media houses like newspapers etc; but was able to get meaningful information about the research work.
TIMES CONSTRINTS: the researchers was left with limited time due to his or her involvement in other departmental activities, but was able to meet up with the time scheduled for the completion of the research work.
1.10 DEFINITION OF RELATED TERMS
EFCC: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is a Nigerian law enforcement agency that investigates financial crimes such as advance fee fraud (419 fraud) and money laundering.
REFERENCES
Quinney, R. "Structural Characteristics, Population Areas, and Crime Rates in the Nigeria; The Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology and Police Science, 57(1), p. 45-52.