Investigative Reporting and its Challenges for Nigerian Journalists. A Content Analysis.

Abstract

The concept of investigative reporting is to unveil societal misconduct so as to promote transparency and accountability of government. This research examined Investigative reporting and its challenges for Nigerian journalists, its decline in practice, and perception of young reporters towards the career, thereby suggesting measures for improvement of better practice.

The research reviewed related literature and anchored on the social responsibility theory of the press. The research adopted a qualitative content analysis approach in the methodology whereby in-depth interviews of eight participants were conducted through purposive sampling. A thematic analysis of the data collected was done by assigning codes to common themes. Findings revealed that legal constraints/poor access to information, attacks, funding/poor remuneration, censorship, and regulations are the major challenges. Participants also identified ownership/political influence, lack of technological skills and training, female gender discrimination and corruption as other forms of challenge. Attacks, funding, poor remuneration, gender discrimination are found to be the cause of decline in practice. Results also showed that younger journalists that aspire a career in the field are dispirited to practice because of their safety which is at risk.

However, adequate funding and remuneration is said to overcome some of the challenges. Collaboration of media is suggested. The research also recommends a comparative legal implementation of media rights study for further research.