Reportorial Activism and Nigerian Journalism after the Enactment of Freedom of Information Act

Abstract

Investigated is how the enactment in May 2011 of Nigeria’s Freedom of Information Act has, since then, impacted Nigerian journalism. Typical documentary and spoken data were tapped, analysed and discussed. Analysis and discussion found Nigeria’s FOIA to be as properly crafted as meets international standards. Analysis and discussion also demonstrate that Nigerian journalists’ inability so far to take advantage of the FOIA to sharpen their journalistic activism results from the intimidation which job insecurity poses. In that light, conclusion hypothesizes that FOIA might not sharpen journalistic activism in countries/economies where journalists’ awareness of their shaky economic status is acute.

Keywords: Reportorial Activism, Nigerian Journalism, Freedom of Information Act