Problems and Prospects of Investigative Journalism in Rivers State, Nigeria: A Study of the Tide and Hard Truth Newspapers.

Abstract

The practice of investigative journalism in Nigerian is facing several challenges which pose great threat to the benefits that accrue from this vital aspect of the journalism profession. Hence, this paper examines the problems and prospects of investigative journalism in Rivers State, Nigeria using the survey research method. A total of 56Journalists (43 from The Tide and13 from The Hard Truth newspapers) were sampled. The findings indicated that investigative journalism is practised in Nigeria but its level of practice is abysmally low due to myriads of problems bedevilling the practice. However, there are greater prospects of its practice with the signing of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill into law in 2011. Hence, the paper recommends a proactive approach to investigative journalism while harnessing the opportunities as envisaged in the FOI Act.

Key words: Investigative Journalism, Newspaper, Social Responsibility, Public Interest.