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Newspapers published in Nigeria have a strong tradition of the principle of "publish and be damned" that dates back to the colonial era when founding fathers of the Nigerian press such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ernest Ikoli, Obafemi Awolowo and Lateef Jakande used their papers to fight for independence. [1] This tradition firmly established newspapers as a means to advocate for political reform and accountability, roles they continue to fulfill in Nigeria today.
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Until the 1990s, most publications were government-owned, but private papers such as the Daily Trust , Next, Nigerian Tribune , The Punch , Vanguard and the Guardian continued to expose public and private scandals despite government attempts at suppression. [2] These privately owned outlets were instrumental in holding leaders to account, often operating under significant pressure, including censorship and harassment during periods of military rule.
Laws related to the media, including newspapers, are scattered across various pieces of legislation. There are few good sources of discussion and analysis of these laws. [3] The introduction of the Freedom of Information Act in 2011 marked a significant step toward transparency, granting citizens and journalists access to public records. [4] However, enforcement has been uneven, and many media organizations still struggle to obtain crucial information from authorities. [4]
Some Newspapers depend heavily on advertisements that may be placed by companies owned by powerful people. In some cases, this makes the papers cautious in reporting details of crimes or suspected crimes, and sometimes they carry articles that paint clearly corrupt individuals in a favourable light. [5] The widespread practice of giving journalists "brown envelopes"—cash payments for favorable coverage—has compounded ethical challenges in Nigerian journalism. [4] Many reporters and editors operate in environments where such practices are normalized, often blurring the lines between journalism and public relations. [6] Although earnings have declined since the late 1980s the number of publications has steadily grown. [7] This expansion reflects Nigerians’ continued demand for diverse sources of information, despite economic challenges affecting the industry.
An analysis of newspapers shows a strong bias towards coverage of males, reflecting prevalent cultural biases. Few articles discuss women and there are few photographs of women outside the fashion sections. [8]
As of 2008 there were over 100 national, regional or local newspapers. [2]
Online newspapers have become popular since the rise of internet accessibility in Nigeria; more than ten percent of the top fifty websites in the country are devoted to online newspapers. Due to improved mobile penetration and the growth of smartphones, Nigerians have begun to rely on the internet for news. Online newspapers have also been able to bypass government restrictions because content can be shared without the need for any physical infrastructure. The result has been a disruption of the traditional sources of news which have dominated the media industry. Recent online newspapers include Sahara Reporters , Ripples Nigeria , and Premium Times . [9] These platforms have gained prominence for their investigative journalism and ability to publish stories quickly, particularly on sensitive issues that traditional media may avoid.
