Despite intimidation, poor pay, and rising fake news, journalism in Nigeria remains the unyielding watchdog—society’s lifeline to truth, justice, and accountability.
By Jimoh Ahmed
In every society, journalism is the oxygen that keeps democracy breathing. In Nigeria, this truth has been proven time and again—from the struggle for independence, to the dark years of military rule, and now, in a democracy still finding its feet. Without journalism, the powerful would act unchecked, and citizens would stumble blindly in the dark.
History offers a reminder. During the military years, newspapers like The Guardian, Tell, and Newswatch stood as stubborn voices against tyranny. Their journalists endured harassment, arrests, and proscription. Some paid the ultimate price. Yet, their courage gave Nigerians the information needed to resist authoritarianism. In those days, journalism was not just a profession; it was an act of resistance.
In today’s Nigeria, the press remains the watchdog of society. Premium Times shook the nation when it exposed the billion-naira contract scandals linked to a former minister. Sahara Reporters has consistently unearthed the dirty secrets the powerful would rather bury. These examples remind us that no matter how politicians try to shield themselves, journalism can still shine light into the darkest corners.
At the grassroots, community reporters perform miracles with little or no resources. They spotlight issues that would otherwise be ignored: a collapsed bridge cutting off villages, teachers unpaid for months, or a rural clinic without drugs. Many times, these reports stir government to action. Journalism, in this sense, is not about headlines alone—it is about giving ordinary Nigerians a voice.
Journalism also saves lives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigerians faced an avalanche of rumors, conspiracy theories, and misinformation. It was journalists, through fact-checks, expert interviews, and simplified explanations, who helped citizens separate fact from fiction. In moments of national confusion, journalism became the lifeline.
Yet, this lifeline is constantly under attack. Journalists are harassed, threatened, and even assaulted for simply doing their jobs. Newsrooms face shrinking resources, with reporters often working for months without pay. The rise of fake news on social media has further eroded public trust, making it harder for citizens to distinguish between credible journalism and harmful misinformation.
Despite these challenges, the watchdog has refused to die. Every day, Nigerian journalists wake up, notebook or microphone in hand, driven by the belief that truth matters and the public deserves to know. Whether it is Channels Television moderating heated political debates, Daily Trust reporting on insecurity in the North, or Punch highlighting policy failures in Abuja, journalism continues to prove its relevance.
But the burden should not fall on journalists alone. Citizens also have a responsibility. Supporting credible media, paying for news, and rejecting fake reports are civic duties. A society that weakens its press weakens itself, because without journalism, leaders are unaccountable, corruption flourishes, and democracy dies a slow death.
Journalism is more than headlines. It is the bridge between leaders and the led, the mirror showing society its strengths and flaws, and the searchlight pointing towards what is possible.
That is why journalism in Nigeria is not just a profession. It is survival. It is resilience. It is the watchdog that won’t die—our nation’s lifeline to truth and accountability.
Jimoh Ahmed is a journalist and writer with over two decades of experience reporting on politics, governance, and community development. He writes from Owo, Ondo State.
