Available literature shows that the Nigerian press has always been preoccupied with politics and sensational news and that it is giving little attention to development matters. Specific kinds of information which satisfies the needs and wants of the people can contribute to economic and social progress of a country. The need for Nigerian newspapers to report development news therefore stimulates the interest of this study. This study explores the roles of the press in the development of the society. The study shows that the press is not making enough contribution to the development of the society as set out by development journalism and media development theory. The factors that prevent the press from adequately reporting development news are examined and solutions are also proffered. The study concludes that the press must choose the best way to approach their weaknesses and fortify their strengths.

^JCMRJournal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 1, No. 2,  October  2009, 125 – 135.

About the author

Kehinde Kadijat Kadiri is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.

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Article Citation

Kadiri, K. K. (2009): Constraints and challenges of reporting development news in the Nigerian press. Journal of Communication and Media Research 1(2): 125 – 135.