Why journalism is dying in Nigeria!, By Olayinka Oyegbile

Nigerian journalism is grappling with profound challenges, including technological shifts, political pressures, financial instability, and internal issues within the profession. The landscape is increasingly cluttered with numerous online publications, many of which are poorly edited and managed, leading to a homogenization of content. This proliferation often results in news stories lacking variety, nuance, and depth, with features becoming bland and investigative journalism scarce.

Historically, Nigerian journalism fostered collaboration among its leading figures. In the 1980s, experienced editors like Ray Ekpu moved between publications, seeking environments conducive to impactful reporting. Later, prominent journalists such as Dele Giwa, Ekpu, and Yakubu Mohammed joined forces to establish Newswatch, a magazine that significantly reshaped the industry. This collaborative spirit continued when another group, including Nosa Igiebor and Dare Babarinsa, left Newswatch to found TELL magazine, demonstrating a shared commitment to producing high-quality journalism.

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Today, every unemployed or unemployable journalist wants to carry a ‘dignified’ title of being a publisher, hence the rash of poorly edited and managed online publications in the cyberspace. It has become a case of ‘read one and you’ve read all’; no variety, no nuance, and no depth. News stories now read the same and flat! Features have become tasteless and investigation poor, if any. All the metrics for legacy news media are headed in the same direction: less revenue, far fewer reporters and editors, less profit to reinvest and less community clout.

This contrasts sharply with the current situation, where individuals, often unemployed journalists, launch online platforms without adequate resources or editorial oversight. Many of these new outlets simply republish content from the few remaining established media houses, offering little original reporting or unique perspectives. The result is a "plurality of voices" that often speak with one monotonous tone, providing the same news from the same sources with minimal differentiation.

The decline in revenue, reduction in the number of reporters and editors, and diminished profits hinder reinvestment in the industry. This financial strain impacts the community's trust and influence. The article suggests that the core of good journalism lies in collective effort, akin to an orchestra producing harmonious music, rather than individualistic or siloed operations. The current trend, however, points towards a fragmented and weakened press, struggling to maintain its standards and societal role.

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Good journalism is like playing in an orchestra, all hands must work together to produce good music. Working in silos does not work for smooth news production, either electronic or print.