Ambassador (Dr.) Yemi Farounbi has said ownership influence has historically affected Nigerian journalism, citing several instances in which media organisations were perceived to have departed from professional standards in response to political interests.
Farounbi observed while speaking on PrimeStar TV Nigeria on the evolution of Nigerian journalism and the relationship between media ownership and editorial independence.
He said Nigerian journalism had always reflected the plurality of the country’s society but had also been influenced by the interests of those who owned media organisations.
Farounbi cited the Daily Times, Morning Post, Tribune, West African Pilot, OSRC Akure, and Radio Nigeria Akure as examples from different periods of Nigerian history.
He recalled the 1983 political contest between Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Akin Omoboriowo, saying different broadcast organisations were perceived to have supported opposing sides.
He also recalled an earlier period when WNTV became, in his assessment, so closely identified with the government that audiences in the Western Region stopped listening to it.
However, Farounbi stressed that such episodes represented deviations rather than the general character of Nigerian journalism.
He cited journalists such as Sam Amuka, Ebenezer Williams, Peter Pan and Alade as examples of professionals who, in his view, represented the standards of an earlier generation.
He also acknowledged contemporary journalists and columnists working with newspapers including the Tribune, Punch and Daily Trust.
According to him, some media organisations may protect regional interests, but many journalists still make efforts to remain factual, believable and truthful.
Farounbi said the economic and technological transformation of the media industry had created new challenges, particularly for the print media, explaining, “The greatest problem we have in journalism today is particularly with the print media. We have almost lost it,” he said.
He noted that media convergence had changed the industry, with many traditional newspaper organisations now operating broadcast platforms.
Despite the challenges, Farounbi said Nigerian journalists remained willing to take risks in defence of their profession.
He maintained that Nigeria still had a relatively free press and credited journalists themselves for sustaining that freedom.
Farounbi acknowledged that money had influenced some journalists, but argued that financial inducement was not a new phenomenon.
He stated, “There will always be a minority,” adding that he believed the majority of Nigerian journalists were still doing well.
