Why Practising Effective Journalism in Nigeria Is Challenging.

Abstract

Journalism does not simply entail providing information. For the function of journalism to be achieved, a journalist must provide the public with objective, useful information that can be used to make decisions. It is only after this happens that journalism is effective or has gotten the desired result. However, some challenges make it difficult for many journalists to practise effective journalism in Nigeria. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that make it difficult to practise effective journalism in Nigeria and identify how these factors can be mitigated. This study is based on an interpretivist research paradigm. A qualitative research approach was adopted because this study required nuanced and detailed data to answer the research questions. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from the five participants who were chosen using purposive sampling. The participants were chosen because they have considerable experience working as journalists in Nigeria. The findings of the study are similar to the findings gotten from the literature review but are more complex and offer a different perspective. The findings show that inadequate remuneration and funding, brown-envelope journalism, censorship and lack of technological devices are common factors that may affect the ability of a journalist to practise effective journalism in Nigeria. Furthermore, while these factors are common, journalists who are just starting their career are likely to experience these. Lastly, improving the remuneration and allowances of journalists can help to reduce three of the four factors listed. However, the relationship between gender discrimination and effective journalism requires further research to ascertain if gender discrimination impedes effective journalism.