Media and Nigeria's Constitutional Democracy: Civic Space, Free Speech, and the Battle for Freedom of the Press - Hardcover

by Sam Amadi (Contribution by), Joe Babalola Bankole (Contribution by), Joseph Nwanja Chukwu (Contribution by)

In this edited collection, contributors analyze how the media is navigating Africa's most populous nation, Nigeria, and its mediated democracy. Despite its constitutional role, recognizable as the fourth estate of the realm, the Nigerian media has a history of confronting daunting challenges headlong. This book captures an array of the challenges faced, from British colonialism and military rule to democratic dispensation. Ordinarily, democracy is purposefully streamlined to elevate freedom of expression to an inalienable right and a necessary corollary of democracy. Yet, media freedom in Nigeria has been tortuous and nebulous, and there is a paradoxical difference in how the state relies on the media for partnership while also obstructing accountable journalism that would hold the state and the media itself accountable. The editors provide a poignant outlook of the onerous interactions and dialectics of media and democracy, and the cascading state power. Contributors argue for open democratic deliberations, civic space, and freedom of the press, all rooted in public good. Scholars of journalism, political communication, media studies, African studies, law, democratic studies, and political science will find this book of particular interest.

Author Biography

Paul Obi is a journalist and research fellow at The Abuja School of Social and Political Thought.
Taye C. Obateru is reader and former head of the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Jos.
Sam Amadi is associate professor of law, and director of The Abuja School of Social and Political Thought.