CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The landscape of journalism has undergone a significant transformation with the advent of the internet and digital technologies (Zhang et al., 2020). The emergence of these technologies (communication technology) has ushered in unprecedented change in field of mass communication particularly, journalism and has affected the way people obtain and interact with news and information. Online journalism, characterized by the dissemination of news and information through digital platforms, has become a dominant force in the media industry (Dong et al., 2014).
Prior to the emergence of online journalism in Nigeria, the country's media landscape was dominated by influential newspapers that had a significant impact. These newspapers included This Day, The Guardian, The Vanguard, The Punch, Nigerian Tribune, The Nation, Daily Trust, Leadership, Daily Independent, National Mirror, Business Day, Champion, Daily Sun, and more recently, Blue Print, Peoples Daily, New Telegraph, The Union, Nigerian Pilot, and Authority newspapers. The print medium held a prominent position, seemingly unchallenged.
Between 2003 and 2010, Nigeria witnessed an experimental phase of strictly online newspapers. Some early pioneers in this experiment included Sahara Reporters, Gamji.com, Elombah.com, and the Nigerian Voice. During that time, not many recognized the online evolution in Nigeria as a significant threat to traditional print media until later when their impacts became evident across various sectors of society.
Today, the number of online newspapers in Nigeria is vast. In addition to the aforementioned publications, prominent online newspapers include Premium Times, Naij.com, The Cable, The Agenda (Agendang.com), Atlantic Reporters, Daily Post, Breaking Times, Eagle Online, Osun Defender, Sweet Crude Reports, Linda Ikeji blog, The Pulse, Information Nigeria, Olufamous.com, YNaija.com, Signal Nigeria, Nigerian Eye, and Naija gists. There are also others such as The Trent, Today Nigeria, Encomium Nigeria, Ventures Africa, Nigerian Finder, My School Gist, Net Media, Spread Media, Naija Parrot, Omojuwa.com, 247 u-Reports, Cyber Naira, among others.
The proliferation of online newspapers in Nigeria reflects the growing influence of digital media platforms and the shifting preferences of readers towards online news consumption. These platforms offer a diverse range of news sources and provide opportunities for citizen journalism, niche reporting, and instant updates . The rise of online journalism has challenged the dominance of traditional print media and revolutionized the way Nigerians access and engage with news and information. (Duru, 2016).
By way of defining, online journalism, also known as digital journalism, refers to the modern practice of distributing editorial content through the Internet instead of traditional print media. This form of journalism encompasses various forms of media, including text, audio, video, and interactive elements, to present news and features on current affairs to the audience. The definition of "digital journalism" is a subject of debate among scholars, as the field continues to evolve with advancements in technology and changing media platforms.
Mojos are mobile journalists equipped with notepads, cameras, recorders, cell phones and laptop computers so they can file community news stories for the Web at a moment’s notice. They don’t go to a newspaper office; their office is in their cars. They don’t wait for deadlines; their deadlines are whenever they get their information
Omowale and Okia (2021) noted that with the advent of easily accessible internet connection in Nigeria, journalists in the country now have the opportunity to engage in online journalism practice more conveniently and efficiently. Previously, accessing the internet was limited to senior staff members such as managing editors, but now, all journalists can freely and easily connect to the internet from their own workstations (Duru, 2016). This has brought them into the global village, allowing them to be part of the digital revolution.
Gone are the days when journalists had to visit cyber cafes, libraries, or media resource centers to access the internet (Omowale and Okia 2021). The easy and unrestricted access to the internet has transformed the way journalists gather and disseminate news. They can now do so from the comfort of their own workspace, leveraging various social media applications like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Whatsapp, Wechat, Telegram, and others (Duru, 2016). Additionally, they can utilize platforms like YouTube and other video websites to enhance their storytelling capabilities. According to Kumari, and Pradhan, (2018) ‘Fast’ and ‘short’ has become the dominant logic of the web platforms, giving more attention to quantity rather than quality. The enormous inflow of content/information through the unofficial channels makes journalism more of a desk job leaving less time for field work and research.
However, the rapid growth of online journalism has brought forth several challenges and gaps that need to be addressed (Duru, 2016). Understanding and addressing these gaps is crucial for ensuring that online journalism effectively serves the information needs of the public, upholds professional standards, and maintains its credibility in the digital age. As Kumari, and Pradhan, (2018) has observed, the focus of today journalism practice is now more on production and form rather than on research and contents. This due in part to how audience empowerment has changed the definition of authorship, journalists and audiences now collaborate to produce news.
One of the primary concerns in online journalism practice in recent times is the issue of accuracy and fact-checking. Online news platforms are often criticized for their rapid dissemination of information without adequate verification, leading to the proliferation of misinformation, rumors, and fake news. Nahon and Hemsley, (2013) posit that online journalism is often criticized for its rapid dissemination of news without proper verification, leading to the spread of misinformation and fake news. Similarly, Kumari, and Pradhan, (2018) complained that both verified and unverified, positive and negative, personal and social, truths and fiction, as gain entrance into journalism as the internet develops into a massive source of information. Adding that, analysis of social media and web traffic can be a valuable and essential addition to the usual reporting tools.
Another significant gap in online journalism practice pertains to the representation of diverse voices and perspectives. Marginalized groups, including women, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities, are frequently underrepresented or misrepresented in online news content (Waisbord, 2018). This lack of diversity in representation reinforces existing biases and perpetuates social inequalities. The increasing dominance of online platforms and social media algorithms in shaping news consumption patterns also raises questions about the gatekeeping role of online media and the potential impact on the diversity of voices and perspectives in the public discourse. Consequently, it is essential to investigate how major online journalism as well as online media platforms in Nigeria addresses these gaps and actively strive for inclusive reporting that reflects the diversity of the Nigerian population.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The rapid growth of online journalism in Nigeria has transformed the media landscape, providing instant access to news and information for a growing number of individuals (Hong, 2015). However, the emergence of online media platforms has also raised concerns about the quality, credibility, and ethical standards of journalism practice in the digital era (Dechêne, A., Stahl, C., Hansen, J. and Wänke, 2010). Surprisingly, little or no significant studies has been carried out to address the gaps in online journalism practice, despite it undeniable importance in this present time and day. It is on this note that this current study seeks to investigate the gaps in online journalism practice with a focus on few selected online media in Nigeria.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The purpose of this study is to;
- Identify the gaps in online journalism among the selected online media
- Find out journalist perception and attitudes toward online journalism
- To suggest ways to enhance online journalism among the selected media
1.4 Research Questions
The purpose of this study is to;
- What are the gaps in online journalism among the selected online media?
- What are journalists perception and attitudes toward online journalism?
- What are the possible ways to enhance online journalism among the selected media?
1.5 Significance of the Study
Beside contributing to extant academic literature on the online journalism practice and related social media inform topics, this study will be helpful in strengthening ethical guidelines and ensure best practices for online media organizations. Thus, this study will contribute to enhancing the quality and credibility of news content produced by major online media platforms in Nigeria. It will help establish benchmarks for ethical conduct, accuracy, and reliable sourcing, thereby fostering a culture of responsible journalism.
By examining the credibility and accuracy of online journalism, this study equally seeks to ensure that major online media platforms in Nigeria adhere to rigorous journalistic standards. Identifying areas that require improvement, such as fact-checking, source verification, and unbiased reporting, will contribute to enhancing the credibility and reliability of online news content. This, in turn, will instill a sense of trust and confidence in the audience, ensuring they can rely on online sources for accurate and verified information
This study will not only profits journalists, media practitioners and proprietor, but will also significantly contribute to media literacy initiatives, raising awareness among online news consumers about the pitfalls and challenges in online journalism. By empowering the audience to critically evaluate news content, discern misinformation, and engage in informed discussions, this research will foster a more media-literate society
1.6 Scope of the Study
Conceptually, this study examines the Gaps in Online Journalism Practice, with a focus on some selected online media in Nigeria. The study will thus focus on analyzing the online journalism practices of these selected online media platforms, examining various aspects such as credibility, accuracy, ethics, audience engagement, and the role of social media.
The selected online media (organization ) in Nigeria include Vanguard Nigeria, The Guardian Nigeria, ThisDay Live, Premium Times, Sahara Reporters, Nigerian Tribune
1.7 Operational Definitions of Terms
The following terms and concepts will be defined as used in the study;
Gaps: Refers to the areas or aspects where deficiencies, inadequacies, or shortcomings exist in the practice of online journalism.
Online Journalism: Refers to the process of gathering, creating, editing, and distributing news and information through digital platforms such as websites, social media, and mobile applications.
Practice: Refers to the application or execution of online journalism principles, techniques, and methods in a real-world setting.
Social Media Platform: An online platform or website that allows users to share information, content, or engage in social networking. WhatsApp is a type of social media platform.
Social Media: This is the term often used to refer to new forms of media that involves interactive participation. They are online social interaction sites in which messages are developed by the users and also shared by those users between or among themselves. For example Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram.
Social Platforms: A web-based technology that allows for the creation, deployment, and management of social media products and services. It enables the creation of social media websites and services that have full social media network functionality.
