Project Abstract

Abstract
The print media, cartoons, and social commentary in Nigeria play a crucial role in shaping public opinion, critiquing societal issues, and influencing political discourse. This research explores the intersection of these elements and their impact on Nigerian society. The print media, including newspapers and magazines, serve as important platforms for disseminating information and providing critical analysis of current events. Cartoons, through their visual and satirical nature, offer a unique perspective on social and political issues, often using humor to convey powerful messages. Social commentary, whether through written articles, editorial columns, or online platforms, provides a space for individuals to discuss and debate various topics, from governance to cultural norms. In Nigeria, the print media has a long history of engaging with social and political issues, often serving as a watchdog for government accountability and transparency. Newspapers such as The Guardian, ThisDay, and Vanguard have established themselves as influential voices in the country, providing in-depth reporting and analysis on a wide range of topics. Additionally, magazines like The News and Newswatch have offered alternative perspectives and investigative journalism, contributing to a diverse media landscape. Cartoons in Nigerian print media have also played a significant role in shaping public discourse. Cartoonists like Mike Asukwo and Mustapha Bulama use their art to critique government policies, social injustices, and cultural norms, often pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. Through their cartoons, they are able to reach a wide audience and spark important conversations on issues that affect Nigerian society. Social commentary in Nigeria is not limited to traditional media outlets but has also expanded to online platforms and social media. Bloggers, influencers, and activists use these channels to express their opinions, share information, and mobilize for social change. The rise of citizen journalism has empowered individuals to participate in public discourse and hold authorities accountable. Overall, the print media, cartoons, and social commentary in Nigeria serve as important tools for promoting transparency, accountability, and freedom of expression. By providing platforms for diverse voices and perspectives, they contribute to a vibrant and dynamic public sphere where ideas are exchanged, debated, and challenged. This research seeks to analyze the role of these elements in Nigerian society and their implications for democracy, governance, and social development.

Project Overview

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Cartoons are non verbal graphic communication channels that express the opinions, views and findings of a media organization.

They are used to advance an opinion in funny ways and are often based on current, burning and topical issues. They are used basically to educate, inform and entertain the audience by the print media (Emi, 2008).

Also, the need for investigative journalism has placed emphasis on the watchdog role of newspaper due to the fact that there are two sides of human namely: the godly and the animalistic side of human to behave in good manners but the animalistic side of the human is the evil side which can be seen in different wrong doings or atrocities of man.

It also shows the human urge to dominate, satisfy base instincts of huger, wealth acquisition and their evil or erotic desires.

Human beings are expected to be rational but their rationality cannot always guarantee good conduct because most times, the animalistic tendencies in them prevail.

Hence the needs for mass media to expose evil and t bring perpetrators to justice so that the human societies do not become the animal kingdom and full of evil.

There is also the need to check the excesses of the powerful or privileged people against the less privileged ones to hold rulers accountable to their people to bring about social reforms to expose crime and other wrong doings and to act as voice for the voiceless etc. (Aina 2001).

Also, the belief in the saying that Nigeria is one of the most corrupt nation of the world is not an exaggeration. International organizations have consistently testified to this undeniable fact to confirm the claims of these organizations, the country has witnessed different types of corrupt practices. This must have baffled the past regime led by chief Olusegun Obasajo so much that he thought it is necessary to establish organizations that could fight corrupt practices among citizens two of these organization are independent corrupt practice commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial crimes commission (EECC). After operating for few years, many have come to describe these as an organization of toothless bulldog.

The only organizations that Nigerians can fall back on or depends on, is the press which has been battling corruption with its in-depth news reporting opinion, comments, editorial, editorial cartoon etc.

Watson, (2008) Says that the media is prominent among the public arbiters for our behavior. Many have also found cartoons on newspaper to be equally up to the task of acting as the society watchdog. This is what the researcher hopes to answer.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The study will examine the effects and significance of crime illustration in enhancing the role of print media cartoons as watchdog in Nigeria and the quest for development.

It is to ascertain the impact of comic illustration on readers and the level to which cartoons have acted as watchdog of the society.

1.3            1.3   PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

1.       To know the frequency of cartoons in the print media

2.       To determine if print media cartoons can actually pass information

3.       To determine the extent at which newspaper cartoons can identify culprits/evildoers

4.       To also determine whether print media cartoons can serve as the mouth piece of members of the society.

5.       To evaluate how social reality is constructed through the use of newspaper cartoons in the print media.

1.4            1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.       How frequent do we see cartoon in the newspaper?

2.       Do newspaper cartoon identify or reveal the true identity of culprits or evil doers?

3.       Do people actually find newspaper cartoons meaningful?

4.       Do newspaper cartoons serve as the mouth piece of the society?

5.       Do the captions of the newspaper cartoons actually perform the watchdog role in the society?

1.5              1.5   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

There are certain newspapers that features cartoon in Nigeria. It is thus to analyse the entire print media .

1.6            1.6   SIGINIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this study in the field of mass communication is that it helps to determine the effect of mass communication message and media content on the people. It also helps to play an intermediary role between what is true and our experience, especially those beyond our constant. It also acts as the windows to the walls of information.

The significance of this study to the society can be traced to the Lasswellian media function of surveillance of the environment i.e. the journalistic service of collecting, dissemination of information of news by surveying the environment through monitoring trends, talks or giving early warning signals of an impending danger, reporting evil deeds that have been done, etc.