By Chima Ugwuanyi
Nigeria’s media industry, despite its essential role in fostering national discourse, faces overwhelming challenges that threaten its survival. From prohibitive costs to pervasive unethical practices by some media outfits, the media’s ability to fulfill its duty to inform the public continues to be a cause for concern. While both public and private stations grapple with distinct hurdles, the broader implications are clear: the financial crises on one hand and ethical problems posed by some media outfits in the Nigerian media on the other hand, must be addressed in order to ensure the media industry remains a credible pillar of the society.
Setting up and maintaining a media outlet in Nigeria is an expensive endeavour, such that many aspiring media entrepreneurs simply cannot afford. The cost of running a television station is prohibitively high, a situation worsened by Nigeria’s challenging economic environment. The financial strain on traditional media outlets is not unique to Nigeria—globally, the industry is struggling to adapt to the pressures of the digital age. The harsh economic realities facing the media sector point toward a grim future for many outlets, particularly in Nigeria, where private stations receive no government support. Unlike their public counterparts, which benefit from government grants and subventions, private outfits must seek alternative funding, often at the cost of journalistic integrity.
As media outfits seek to stay afloat, news commercialization has become widespread. Instead of offering news coverage based on public interest, many outfits now focus on stories that can generate revenue, transforming news into a commodity. This shift erodes the trust that the public places in the media, undermining its role as a watchdog of democracy.
Beyond financial woes, ethical issues remain a significant concern for Nigerian journalism. The practice of “brown envelope” journalism, where some journalists accept bribes in exchange for favourable coverage, is still there. Unethical behaviours such as freebies, misrepresentation, and conflict of interest plague the industry, while politicians have transformed many media organizations into propaganda tools. The blurring of lines between objective reporting and political influence raises concerns about the integrity of the media and its ability to act as an independent body.
Compounding these issues is the fact that many journalists in Nigeria face poor working conditions. Low wages have contributed to the decline in journalistic standards, as underpaid journalists are more susceptible to bribery and unethical behaviour. The Nigerian Union of Journalists has also been criticized for failing to advocate for improved working conditions for its members, leaving journalists vulnerable to exploitation. The result is a profession in crisis, where journalists, despite their critical role in society, are often unable to live a decent life or maintain the high ethical standards required of their work.
Another major challenge facing the Nigerian media is its urban bias. Studies have shown that rural issues are severely underreported. When covered at all, rural stories are often relegated to the inside pages, with little depth or analysis. The focus on urban-centric news reflects a broader neglect of the rural populace, who are often left out of national discourse.
This bias is not only detrimental to rural development but also perpetuates the idea that rural communities are less important. The lack of accurate reporting on rural areas means that the struggles and aspirations of millions of Nigerians go unnoticed, further deepening the divide between urban and rural communities.
Rural broadcasting, which could bridge this gap, remains underutilized. Rural broadcasting plays a crucial role in educating rural communities on key issues such as health, education, and agriculture. However, due to a lack of government support, corruption, and commercial interests, rural broadcasting has not been fully embraced in Nigeria. As a result, the media continues to fail in its responsibility to serve all segments of society equally.
The rise of citizen journalism, fuelled by new information and communication technologies, has added yet another layer of complexity to the Nigerian media landscape. While these technologies have democratized access to news, they have also blurred the line between professional and amateur journalism. With the advent of smartphones and social media, anyone with internet access can now act as a journalist, often without the necessary training or ethical grounding. This has led to an increase in misinformation and a decline in the quality of news.
While citizen journalism can play a role in holding power to account, it also poses a threat to traditional journalism, which relies on trained professionals to gather and report accurate information. The proliferation of untrained “journalists” has diluted the standards of news reporting, as many lack the skills to critically analyse and interpret the information they share.
The challenges facing Nigeria’s media industry are multifaceted and deeply rooted. From financial instability to ethical breaches and rural neglect, the sector is at a crossroads. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort from both the government and media owners. Adequate funding, improved working conditions for journalists, and a renewed commitment to ethical reporting are all necessary to restore public trust in the media.
Moreover, the media must do more to bridge the gap between urban and rural communities. By investing in rural reporting and giving a voice to the marginalized, the Nigerian media can fulfill its mandate to inform and unite the nation. Finally, as citizen journalism continues to rise, traditional media must adapt to maintain its credibility and ensure that the information reaching the public is both accurate and trustworthy.