Abstract

Information has empowered not just the press, but the citizens as well, allowing them to challenge government policy and denounce official abuse. Anyone who has the most information will have the greatest success in life. This article examines access to information as a key to sustainable democracy in Nigeria. The researchers adopted the survey method, employing the questionnaire as an instrument of data collection. One hundred and fifty copies of the questionnaire were distributed to respondents. Results show that access to information is a key to sustainable democracy in any part of the world, including Nigeria. Findings also show that certain factors serve as hindrances to access to information in Jos. These factors include: constitutional limitation, penal/criminal codes and the official secret act. Based on the findings, the paper concludes that the extent to which journalists and the entire citizens of Jos have access to information is minimal.

Key Words: Information, Communication, Press Freedom, Democracy,   Development.

^JCMRJournal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 4, No. 1, April 2012, 77 – 92 

© Delmas Communications Ltd.

About the authors

*Dr. John D. Galadima is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.

**Ezekiel S. Asemah is in the Department of Communication Arts, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Full Article

Words: 7,601; Pages: 16