Title: The Changing Role of The Mass Media In Contemporary Democracy: From Watchdog To Lamedog In Nigeria
Authors: Thomas-Kuye Olufunmilayo Adedayo and Ayoola Morayo Jarinat
Volume: 9
Issue: 6
Pages: 211-217
Publication Date: 2025/06/28
Abstract:
This study investigated the changing role of the mass media in contemporary democracy: from watchdog to lamedog in Nigeria. The study made used of quantitative research design method using the survey research design with the aid of questionnaire which was used for data collection. The population of the study are all the registered journalists under the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benin City Chapter. A sample size of 120 respondents were used for the study while data analysis was done with the aid of SPSS software 25.0 using percentages and frequency distribution tables, mean and standard deviation. The finding revealed that limited resources for journalists can affect the quality of reporting ( x ? = 3.27, SD = 1.13), journalists face intimidation, harassment, and violence limiting their ability to report freely (x ? = 3.78, SD = 1.21). Also, it was found that journalists are often under pressure to promote partisan interests over objective reporting (x ? = 3.73, SD = 1.09) and they encounter difficulty in accessing government records and data (x ? = 3.29, SD = 1.81). The study recommended that media must break free from government and partisan control in order to be able to carry out an effective role as a watchdog in Nigerian democracy.