Abstract

Based on premise that where news media are effective in their normative roles, they contribute to strengthening democratic/public institutions and promoting good governance and human development in society, this paper evaluates performance of Nigerian newspapers in terms of their normative roles as civic forum, watchdogs, mobilizing agents or agenda setters. The paper argues that because newspapers performed these functions in seemingly aggressive and persuasive editorials, it is obvious that they contributed to strengthening the process of democratization, good governance, and human development in Nigeria. But how effective newspapers have been is a matter of conjecture because journalists face attacks in connection with critical coverage in an environment of impunity and threat of legal prosecution and harassment which encourages self-censorship. The paper concludes that without substantial enabling and sustaining support that news media require to effectively fight corruption and foster accountability and good governance in Nigeria, media can hardly be expected to promote and sustain democracy, as well as to improve broader indicators of good governance, such as limiting corruption.

Key Words: News media, Democracy, Civic forum, Watchdog, Agenda-setters

Authors’ Bio

*    Rodney Ciboh, Ph.D. is a Professor and Head, Department of Mass Communication, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria. His research areas are International and Political Communication.

**  Vitalis Torwel, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Journalism and Critical Media Studies in the Department of Mass Communication, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria. His research areas are News Media, Politics, and Public policy.

***Terngu Iyorkyaa is a Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria. His research area of interest is Journalism Studies.

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 11, No. 2, October 2019, pp. 146 - 158