Nigeria Media Overview

According to research done by the Freedom House Organization, media in Nigeria is partly free. The media sources in Nigeria include newspaper, television and radio, with a majority of the public receiving information from radio broadcasts. Freedom House says the media is vibrant and lively with most media outlets being independently owned and operated. Internet use occurs among about 29 percent of the population and is not restricted by the government.

 Nigeria was guaranteed freedom of speech and expression under constitutional law in 1999; however this is not always the case. Journalists in Nigeria frequently receive threats from many entities and in several ways. State and non-state actors have tried to suppress criticism by threatening journalists into silence. State security agents occasionally arrest journalists, confiscate newspapers and harass vendors. This usually happens when they are covering stories involving separatist and communal violence and corruption. Public officials and authorities often publicly condemn journalists and media outlets that criticize them.

Nigeria is a very ethnically diverse country with a majority of the population being split between Christians and Muslims. The twelve northern Muslim states operate under Sharia law (Islamic Law) and courts. This, along with the executive branch of government in Nigeria is a major obstacle to media freedom. Sharia law is very conservative and condemns freedom of expression. Under these laws libel is a criminal offense and Sharia statutes impose strict and severe penalties for media offenses. Yet, Nigeria’s judicial branch continues to support media freedom, and denied the restrictive Nigerian Press Council Act.

Despite the legal obstacles, Nigeria is also very physically dangerous place to be a journalist. Media workers have suffered several attacks as of late. Three journalists were murdered in 2010 with no arrests made. Later in 2010, four journalists were kidnapped held for ransom, and later released.  Bombings and arson attacks on newspaper buildings have also occurred as well. Journalists have received threatening text messages and letters.  Most of the threats come from political party candidates and the police.

Bribery and corruption are rampant among the media industry, with many reporters receiving brown envelops upon arriving at scenes. Media taxes and licensing fees are very high as well, limiting the media’s capabilities. The economy in Nigeria is dominated by oil exports and wealth lies in the hands of a few elite. Most of the country is very poor with most of the violence occurring because of religious regional ethnic differences and intolerance as well as unequal distribution of oil revenue.