MASS MEDIA, COUP D'ETAT AND THE CHALLENGE OF DEMOCRACY IN CONTEMPORARY NIGERIA

Abstract
This study examined the role of mass media in the promotion of democracy against the intervention of military coup d’etat in the contemporary Nigeria. The sudden overthrown of democratically elected government in post-independent West Africa by groups of military insurgents, is an evidence of re-emerging of coup d’etat in part of Africa in recent years. Amidst series of challenges, the mass media have played remarkable roles to promote culture of democratic process. This study utilized descriptive survey and structured interview methods. Questionnaire and interview guide were used as instruments for data gathering. The population of the study covered four states in southwest-Oyo, Lagos, Ogun and Osun-States. Simple random and quota sampling techniques were employed to select the sampling size of 240 respondents selected across different Local Government Areas of the selected states. 210 questionnaire were returned valid for data analysis. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data. This study found that the media efforts in curbing the emergence of coup d’etat and promotion of democratic practice in Nigeria is very high. It concluded that military insurgency can be avoided if the leadership of government in Nigeria do the needful by meeting the socio-economic situation of the people. The implications of this study amongst others is to expose the Nigerian media as a veritable tool for uplifting the cause of democracy in Nigerian society. It alerts sub-saharan nations including Nigeria of the likehood of military insurgency if collective development actions are not implemented.
Keywords
Mass Media, Military Coup D’etat, Democracy, Contemporary Nigeria, Challenges