ABSTRACT
Since man’s
activity is done in the environment and the resultant effect is either negative
or positive to man, the press as the watchdog of the society is expected to
draw attention of all and Daily Sundry to environmental issues around them; one
of which is environmental pollution. Hence, the study investigated press
coverage of environmental pollution in the Niger Delta region by content
analyzing four national newspapers: The Guardian, Vanguard, Daily Sun
and Thisday with the view to finding out whether the Nigerian press
cover environmental pollution in the Niger Delta, the extent of their
coverage, the nature of news coverage given to environmental pollution in the
region and forms of environmental pollution prevalent in the region as covered
by the four newspapers. This study reveals that little coverage and low
interpretation was given to the subject matter. Also, that no story on the
subject matter made the front or back pages of the newspapers studied within
the 9 months study period. Finally, that the most reported aspect of
environmental pollution in the region is oil pollution and related activities.
The findings led to the suggestions that media organizations should assign beat
reporters to cover environmental issues in the country especially in the Niger
Delta region. Also suggested is the introduction of environmental education in
the school curriculum from primary to tertiary institutions to inculcate in the
masses environmental friendly attitudes. Again, that government should ensure
strict compliance to environmental laws in the country.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Title
Page
Table
of Contents
List
of Tables
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study
1.2 Statement of Problem
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Significance of Study
1.6 Definition of Term
References
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Focus of Review
2.2 Causes of Environmental Pollution in
Niger Delta
2.3 Theoretical Framework
References
CHAPTER THERE: METHODOLOGY
3.1. Research Design
3.2. Population of Study
3.3. Sample Size
3.4. Sampling Technique
3.5. Unit of Analysis
3.
6. Measuring Instrument
3.7. Validity/ Reliability
3.8. Method of Data Analysis
3.9
Limitations of Methodology
References
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND
ANALYSIS
4.1 Description of the Sample
4.2 Data Presentation and Analysis
4.3 Discussion on Findings
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations
Bibliography
Appendix
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study
One of the greatest
problems facing the Niger Delta region in Nigeria is that of environmental
pollution which causes great damages to the earth. Environmental pollution
takes place when the environment cannot process and neutralize harmful
by-products of human activities in due course without any structural or
functional damage to its system.
Pollution occurs
when the natural environment is unable to decompose the generated elements and
on the other hand, when man fail to decompose these pollutants artificially.
This has negative impacts on crucial environmental services such as provision
of clean water, air and arable land without which life on earth as we know it
would be difficult.
Environmental
pollution is a problem both in developed and developing countries. Factors such
as population growth and urbanization invariably place greater demands on the
environment and stretch the use of natural resources to the maximum. Such
overuse of natural resources often results in nature’s degradation.
Human environment is made up of the following aspects:
The physical, social, economic, political and technological. The physical
environment consists of air, land and water; the social environment consists of
the relationships existing among them; the technological environment consists
of experiences and practices required for constant adaptation and survival;
while the political environment is defined by the degree of authority exercised
by some over others.
The environment is
said to be polluted when there is substantial alteration in form and function
of the components of the physical environment which in turn produces harmful
effects on human beings. The key word here is “substantial”, which is used to
show that no component of the physical environment can be considered to be
polluted until it has been altered in form or function in such a way that it
can immediately or potentially harm human being directly or indirectly.
Environmental
pollution may cause short term or long term detriment to the earth’s ecological
balance which lowers the quality of life. Pollutants may cause primary damage
with direct identifiable impact on the environment or secondary damage in form
of minor changes in the delicate balance of the environment that are detectable
over a long period. With the increase in waste production, indiscriminate
discharge of untreated industrial and domestic wastes into water ways, the spewing
of thousands of tones of particulates and airborne gases into the atmosphere,
the “throw away” attitude toward solid wastes, and the use of newly developed
chemicals without considering the potential consequences have resulted in major
environmental disasters which will eventually force governments, groups,
organizations and individuals to undertake more effective environmental
planning and adopt more effective anti-pollution measures
In Niger
Delta, one of the threatening environmental problems prevalent in the area is
environmental pollution caused by oil exploration and related activities. As an
oil producing region, oil spillage is one of the most outstanding causes of
water and land or soil pollution while air pollution is mostly caused by gas
flaring and industrial effluents. The direct impact of oil exploration in the
region has been felt by everyone living in the area. Some of these issues
include ecological degradation, environmental pollution, associated human rights abuses,
high inflation and loss of livelihood. It could only be fair if these groups of
people are appropriately compensated.
Niger Delta,
according to Ashong and Aniefiok(2007), is of two classifications, namely:
physiographic (core) Niger Delta and oil producing Niger Delta. The core Niger
Delta includes states like Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ondo
and Rivers. The Niger Delta as currently defined by government comprises Abia,
Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers states with a
total of 185 local government areas and a combined population of over 28million
persons. Such inclusion of other oil producing states from other geo-political
zones Ekpo (2004) sees as a measure of administrative convenience adopted by
the government.
The resulting
ecological devastation as a result of oil exploration and related activities
are enormous. Oil film in water prevents natural aeration killing fish and
other aquatic lives, farm lands are lost, drinking water and air are made
unsafe for human consumption. The resulting impact on the residents is
enormous, yet the amounts of wealth generated from these areas are not
reinvested in order to lessen these environmental impacts. This clearly could
culminate into environmental racism and discriminatory acts, a systematic
denial of rights.
The mangrove
forests of the Niger Delta are important ecological resource as they provide
essential ecosystem including soil stability, medicines, healthy fisheries,
wood for fuel and shelter, tannins and dyes, and critical wildlife habitats.
Oil spills contributes to degradation and destruction of the mangrove forests.
Endangered species such as Delta elephant, the white monkey, the river
hippopotamus, and crocodiles are increasingly threatened by the activities of the
oil companies......
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