How New Media is affecting Traditional Journalism in Nigeria

How New Media is affecting Traditional Journalism in Nigeria

 

  Yemi Olakitan

Information technology is changing the face of media practice and journalism in general in the world today and Nigeria is not left behind. The increasing impacts of new media in the dissemination of information have given room to an increase in both professional and amateur journalism. Yemi Olakitan examines the pros and cons of this on mass communication practice.

Today, the media is not limited to the radio, television and the print alone. The Internet has created whole new platforms for the dissemination of news and information within minutes. With the click of a button, news and information can be posted on Facebook, twitter, You Tube, a blog or website and the world can become aware of this recent development instantaneously. This new media makes use of videos, audios, and pictures and can disseminate information faster than any newspaper or television house .

Things are no longer the same for traditional forms of media in the world and Nigeria since global attention is now on Internet reportage of news and events. All over the world, people want to see or read the news on the Internet. The Internet has consolidated itself as a very powerful platform that has changed the way the world communicates. No other communication medium, has given a “Globalized” dimension to the world like the Internet.

It is the Universal source of information for millions of people, at home, at school, and at work, and it is actually the most democratic of all the mass media. With a very low investment, anyone can have a web page on the Internet; almost anybody can reach a very large audience directly, fast and economically, no matter the size or location.

The upsurge in the use of the Internet has also given rise to new media platforms, which have become increasingly popular. Leading global news networks such as BBC and CNN now replay clips of non-professional eyewitness account of events taken from either You Tube or Twitter. Today, a media organization without an online presence is a huge local champion.

The popularity of social networking sites among Nigerians, both young and old has made it necessary for media organizations to make their presence felt on the Internet or they may soon be wiped out by competing brands. It is not surprising that nearly all the major media houses in Nigeria have created flamboyant websites with social networking sites to complement them. Smarter media organizations are also making use of blogs, You Tubes and many other tools to make their presence more pronounced. Today, it is possible to read an entire Nigerian newspaper online.

In some cases, Internet advertisingrevenue is competing favorably with traditional adverts placements. US Facebook guru, Joe Trippl, said there are two million Nigerians on Facebook, out of the 400 million worldwide.

The Internet has given room to a new form of media freedom in information dissemination that has not been seen some few years ago. Nigerians are able to post information faster than an average journalist could send an article for production. The recent mass protests of the oil subsidy removal had many users of twitters sharing picture s of dead or dying protesters. Many Nigerians entered into meaningful discussions on the subjects of corruption, police brutality, comparing figures and statistics on Facebook and posting comments. The impacts of the new media have never been felt like this before.

News coverage of the demonstrations by traditional media has also been criticized. Many Nigerians covered the protests themselves through social media tools. Nigerians no longer rely on government owned media such as the National Television Authority, NTA that often broadcasts content that favour the sitting government. Today, Nigerians post their own videos on You Tube and inform friends on Facebook, Twitter or Skype. When armed robbers attacked a luxury bus about a year ago and passengers were made to lie on the highway and trucks ran over them. The police denied the incident. Days later, pictures of the horror was posted on You Tube for all to see.

Even, President Goodluck Jonathan is not speared the use of Facebook. A book, “My Friends and I,’’ chronicling numerous discussions on national issues, which the president had with Nigerians on Facebook, was published in 2011. The President was reported to have confessed that such discussions have often influenced some of the decisions he has taken on various national issues. Far from being a tool for mere social networking, Facebook and twitter are increasingly competing with traditional media in the dissemination of news and information.

Although, some Nigerian journalists still regard social networking sites as a place to make friends and meet people, many are using such sites for professional networking in the practice of journalism. In many countries of the world where press freedom is lacking new media has come to the rescue since it often cannot be silenced by draconian government decrees. Journalists have embraced blogging, preferring to upload their stories and pictures online.

Many have become their own editor and sub editor, creating a robust online presence that often attract readers and advertisers alike. The need for deploying these tools for instantaneous news coverage has never been more urgent in Nigeria. Nigerians reporting corruption, insecurity, police brutality, and journalists can operate without fear using New Media. Global news reporting have been made easier with the use of new media tools since journalists network faster than ever before from one part of the world to another. It is easier for journalists to get information, quotes and interviews through twitter, Facebook or Skype.  Although some journalists still acquire camera and digital voice recorders, mobile phones are been used for professional news reporting and coverage.

However, social media can spread false information about government and individuals as well. False Messages can circulate; often feeding a rumor that can be completely untrue. Hackers have been reported to hack government websites, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. (EFCC) Social media will continue to play a major role in news and discussions, despite low incomes, as Nigeria has the continent’s top mobile phone market and the largest online audience in Africa.