Challenges Of Newspaper Circulation In Nigeria

This research studied the challenges of newspaper circulationin Nigeria. It was able to unearth the numerous factors inhibiting the smooth operations and circulation of newspaper companies end for in-depth study, the Voice Newspapers, Owerri, was selected for analysis. The purpose of the study was to discover to what extent such identified problems affect newspaper operations; make the public aware of the reasons for the low quality in the newspaper which they buy and highlight the efforts being made to tackle such problems as well as the prospects of the newspaper industry. In executing the research, the "purposive sampling" method was employed. The researcher made use of Questionnaires and interview as instruments for Data collection. The responses from the staff" of Voice newspapers, Owerri showed that, despite some recorded prospects, the company was plagued by numerous problems such as: inadequate funding, low patronage, management, staff related problems, harsh economic situation, inadequate vehicles for distribution and depreciation of printing equipment. Suggestions proffered for surmounting these problems include: Government should subsidize the cost of printing materials; the Newspaper companies should ensure the recruitment of properly trained personnel; Newspaper houses should be given to motivate staff. If these suggestions are adhered to, problems facing the newspaper industry would be ameliorated and performance enhanced.

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background To The Study

Newspapers, which constitute the vocal and vibrant press, have consistently championed the fight against colonialism, and been crusading for democracy, human rights and good governance in Nigeria, the Newspaper industry has been regarded as one of the biggest industry as it has been growing from strength to strength over the years. Despite the constant assaults by successive despotic regimes, it has been able to survive and currently it serves as an employer of a myriad of workers. Interestingly, the Draconian laws promulgated to stifle the development of the Newspaper industry have only left it stronger.

The Origin of Newspaper publishing in Nigeria dates to 1859, when one of the early European Missionaries, Rev Henry Townsend established a printing press on which Africa"s first and oldest vernacular newspaper IWE IROHIN was printed. The early Nigerian Newspapers then did not have the impersonal character of their modern successors nor did they experience the competition of other vehicles of mass communication and public Opinion. Owned and edited in the illiberal situation of the crown colony system mostly by persons of stature in society, the newspapers exercised a degree of influence which bore no relationship to their low standards of presentation and modest circulation. What they published whether written by themselves or contributed by other people, invariably represented their own policies and viewpoints which attracted attention.

With the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914 and the increase in nationalist tempo, there was an increase in the number and variety of newspapers. In contrast to sixteen papers published between 1880 and 1914, sixty-four were published between 1914 and 1945. The amalgamation led to an increase in the market and circulation of newspapers and new opportunities owing, for instance, to better communication. However, the most important factor that stimulated the growth and changes in the newspaper industry was the advent of electoral politics. The industry expanded with the constitutional changes which gradually devolved power to the indigenous educated elite. The changes were not limited to ownership and control but included pattern of media partisanship. The close parallel between newspapers and political parties began during the period starting with the legislative council election under the 1922 Clifford Constitution. All the leading newspaper owners and journalists were also leaders of the main political parties, the Nigerian National Democratic Party (N.N.D.P.) and the Nigerian Youth Movement (N.Y.M.) The newspapers aligned themselves to each of these parties during the campaign. According to Fred Omu, from the 1920s, the newspapers "shifted their focus from that of political group supporters to organs of the political parties." (Omu: 1978, p.232)

The newspaper became a major instrument not only of political party publicity but of recruitment and a vehicle for attaining political power. To a good number of the pre-independent political parties, having a newspaper as an ally was an organisational imperative. Writing of the Nnamdi Azikwe led National Council for Nigeria and Cameroons (N.C.N.C.), James Coleman provided this instructive observation.

The importance attached to the party newspaper was so enormous that Coleman believed that party organisations were built "around the press, rather than around organised members." (ibid) Further, the newspaper industry benefited from the growth in private commercial printing establishments. It was now possible for newspaper owners to publish without owning a printing press.

The most important changes in the structure of ownership came with the dominance of Nigerians in the industry. More importantly, the small scale owner-editor operations of the pre-war years gave way to corporate ownership. The focus and horizon of the papers, if not the interests represented was now broadened, going beyond Lagos.
In spite of its efforts to reach out to a large population in Society, there has been inadequate funding as a result of:low copy sales, illiteracy level, which affects the level of readership in the country, the low per-capita income of the generality of citizens. This has led to the poor remuneration of staff, inadequate maintenance of equipment, lack of quality production of Newspaper due to obsolete machines which have not yet been replaced and a lot more.

1.2 Statement Of Problem

In an environment characterized with corruption, ineptitude, abject lack of most basic infrastructure particularly power and good roads, difficulty in sourcing raw materials such as newsprints poor readership profile and breakneck competition, one wonders how newspapers cope. In essence the problem necessitating this research is to find out how Nigerian Newspaper graspable with these myriad of challenges encounter problems while performing their information dissemination function. Such problems, which affect Newspaper publishing in Nigeria, include: Mismanagement of the Newspaper house and fund, lack of professionalism, inadequate finance, poor conditions of service, high cost of newsprint and other printing materials, illiteracy, poor reading culture, Jack of skilled technical facilities like the press and communication network facilities.

The afore-mentioned constitute a great deal of problem, because they heavily impact on the overall business environment, affecting the quality of news coverage and reporting in the newspaper industry. The aim of this research is to evaluate the challenges of newspaper circulation in Nigeria.

1.3 Objective Of Study

This study seeks to:

To identify the challenges inherent in the Newspaper industry

To discover to what extent such identified challenges affect newspaper circulation

To highlight the efforts being made to tackle such circulationand the prospects of the Newspaper industry in Nigeria

1.4 Significance Of Study

This study will be beneficial to:

(i) The Proprietors Of Newspaper Houses:

Who would see the study as a guide on how to and how not to run a newspaper.

(ii) Newsmen Or Newspaper Staff:

It will assist the workers to improve their professional activities.

(iii) Students Of Journalism:

It will acquaint them with the challenges which they are about to face, so as to get them prepared and fully equipped regarding what they should expect when they get into their professional terrain.

(iv) Newspaper Readers And The Nigerian Society:

If the Newspaper industry would be able to tackle some problems within the publishing houses, their readers" expectation in terms of Newspaper quality and reportage, would be met. In these impediments are out of the way, the Newspaper house would be able to disseminate accurate reports and Christian Voice the cause of the citizenry, which would be of great benefit to society.

(v) Advertisers:

Advertisers will also benefit from the study as wide circulation, which is a function of good management, will entail a high reach.

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