Abstract

This exploratory analysis may be likened to an archaeological spadework aimed at uncovering the atomic root of the term — libel! It shows that only communication or a communication situation offers this journalism bogey a fertile base for existence. The study used extant literatures and authorities to explain what libel literally and legally defines, incorporating perspectives and practices in Nigeria and other legal jurisdictions across the democratic world. Defences and illustrative cases marshal alibi and defences available to a defendant-communicator caught in the web of defamatory litigation, each defence strewn with educative past libel cases involving well-known journalists and non-journalist communicators. The study finds that libel is an impedance which robs humanity of the useful knowledge of criminality tearing at society when journalists have to resort to sealed lips and frozen pens as a result of lack of proof; also that the world is ahead of Nigeria in demanding that it be expunged from the books. Conclusion unavoidably argues that this impedance to globally proclaimed freedom of speech, expression and of the press is a cover under which wrong doers shield their nefarious activities from the scrutinous eyes of society and negates the “public’s right to know”.

Key Words: Libel, Defamation, Journalism, Nigerian Mass Media

About the Authors

*    Richard Okujeni, Ph.D., is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Though his bias is public relations and advertising, his interests vary and include Digital PR, Corporate Communication, Journalism, Research and is a novelist.

**  Mercy Tartsea-Anshase, Ph.D., is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Her research interest is in broadcast journalism, Development Communication, Strategic Communication and new media studies.

*** Gabriel Tivlumun Nyitse, Ph.D., Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3292-190X, is an Associate Professor of Journalism and Media Studies in the Department of Journalism & Media Studies, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. He is an administrator and a seasoned academic and was a Chief of Staff to an Executive Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom. His research interest includes Media Ethics, New Media, Theory and Research.

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 16, No. 1, April 2024, pp. 143- 152

© Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).

Article Citation

Okujeni, R., Tartsea-Anshase, M. & Nyitse, G. T. (2024). An exploratory analysis of “libel” in Nigeria mass media and the democratic world. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 16 (1): 143-152.

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