ISSUES FACING JOURNALISM

Mustapha Shehu

The biggest issue facing journalism in the developing world may not necessarily be the same as in the developed world. Where as in the developed world there seems to be static growth in the mainstream media and an increased growth in non-traditional media, such as in blogging, the developing world fares differently. In the developing countries of Africa, particularly in Nigeria (population 150 million – 2006 Census) there has been an increase in the number of national dailies. The last ten years alone have seen the establishment of The Daily Trust, The Leadership, The Companion, New Agenda, and The Nigerian Compass. Although The Companion and New Agenda have gone under, the print media has still undergone a remarkable growth when compared to blogs which have only http://nairaland.com and http://gamji.com just gaining popularity among the negligible number of readers who have access to the internet.

This growth however, is not complemented by a corresponding growth in the quality of journalists or of journalism. Lack of commitment, lack of training, poor remuneration and corruption, hallmark of Nigerian Journalism, have combined to make the practice of journalism in the country pathetic. An example of lack of commitment in reportage is evident in Francis Adewale’s piece “The Rot in Nigeria Journalism is much Deeper than we Thought” http://www.ngex.com/news/public/article.php?ArticleID=961 In it, Adewale contends that “Nigerian journalism is indeed in dire strait.” He was referencing a sports report of a world cup qualifying soccer match between Nigeria and Sierra Leone published in The Nation. In the match, Nigeria won by lone goal through a right kick in a melee in the 18 yard box of the Sierra Leone goal post by Everton Defender Joseph Yobo. The Nation report stated that “Yobo, in a move reminiscent of his goal scoring form for English Premier League club, Everton rose to meet the kick with a header for the goal which shocked the hopeful Leone Stars.”

The increase in the number of newspapers in the country can be attributable to the corrupt “commercialization” of news. But while most newspaper proprietors smile to the bank, their reporters have remained underpaid or not paid at all, hence they increasingly have to depend on “Brown Envelopes” a euphemistic term used to describe money given to reporters by public or corporate officials to influence their report. This culture denies the voiceless a voice and undermines the pursuit of transparency in the conduct government business.

Although more university graduates are getting into the journalism profession, most lack formal training in it. The only Journalism Training Institute in Lagos has remained comatose for five years. This is impacting profoundly in the quality of journalistic work hence the basic elements of journalism suffer. Journalists have therefore become the greatest enemy of journalism since the end of military dictatorship. This is notwithstanding the refusal by the National Legislature to pass the Freedom of Information Bill (FOIB). Even without the FIOB, any News Media intent on upholding journalistic ethos is hardly hindered in the current democratization. If only News Media Executives will place country above self.