Senator Babafemi Ojudu has raised concerns over the declining standards of journalism in Nigeria, citing ethical lapses, poor quality, and diminishing content depth as major challenges facing the profession.
Ojudu was a Group Managing Editor of Independent Communications Network Ltd, publishers of The News, Pm News and Tempo, the position he held until he left the active service in the journalism industry and opted for politics. In politics, he was a former senator who represented the Ekiti Central Senatorial District of the Ekiti State in the Senate and former Special Adviser on Political Matters under General Muhammadu Buhari, of which former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was his immediate boss.
Speaking on the state of the media in an exclusive interview with PrimeStar News, Ojudu lamented that Nigeria’s democracy is struggling partly because of the weakness of its press. “If there is a democracy and there is no vibrant media, that democracy will not grow. This is why our democracy is not growing,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with journalism in other countries, the former lawmaker pointed out the vibrancy of the press in the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. According to him, newspapers in these countries maintain high journalistic standards, serving as crucial pillars of democracy.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s media landscape in earlier years, Ojudu recalled the impact of newspapers such as The Guardian, Punch, and Tribune, which, in their prime, published powerful editorials that shaped national discourse.
His remarks come at a time when concerns about media independence, misinformation, and declining investigative journalism continue to generate debate in Nigeria. Many industry observers have attributed the challenges to economic pressures, political interference, and the rise of social media as alternative sources of news.
As calls grow for the revitalisation of Nigerian journalism, stakeholders believe that ethical reporting, strong editorial independence, and a commitment to factual storytelling will be essential in restoring the profession’s credibility and strengthening the country’s democratic institutions.
