JOURNALISTS PERCEPTION OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF JOURNALISTS OF OSUN STATE.

Adelabu Omowale (PhD), Henry Amos Daniel

Abstract


This study examined the perception of journalists in Osun State on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The main objectives are to:  determine the perception,knowledge and Usage of FOIA among journalist in Osun state. The study was anchored on the libertarian theory of the press and Social Responsibility theory. The survey research design was used. The population of the study was 88 registered journalists from two purposively sampled NUJ chapels in Osun. Questionnaire was adopted as instrument for data collection. The findings of this study revealed that journalists in Osun state are knowledgeable and have a positive perception of the FOIA and have adequate knowledge about the Act. It also revealed that journalists in Osun state do not care to use the FOIA. It is therefore, concluded that though there is good awareness of the act among Osun journalist they should also be encouraged to use the FOIA though with its own limitation of not disclosing information that is injurious to the country, because it can also be used to compel public institutions to release government records to the journalist. The study thus recommended frequent Sensitization of journalists by legal and media professionals on the FOIA to keep them informed and knowledgeable about the Act and when appropriate to use it. It was also recommended that Journalists should not abuse the privilege they get from the FOIA while making use of it.


Keywords


Journalist, FOIA, Free Press, Journalism, Perception

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References


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