The Press and Political Reporting in Nigeria: 1859-2010

This paper reviews the role newspapers have played in Nigeria's politics from the earliest times when, in 1859, the country's first newspaper, Iwe Irohin, was founded in Abeokuta, Ogun state. The press is regarded as an integral part of the larger social, economic and political environment. Arguing that the press has a role as a public forum (a market place of ideas for all) as well as an independent participant in the political process (distributor of facts about political parties and the government, reported accurately and objectively), the discussion reveals that characteristically, the behavior of Nigerian newspapers has always been political and agitational. From the pre-independence era to the postindependence period, the Nigerian press has regularly reported and projected political stories and editorials. The paper concludes that in line with its social responsibility and surveillance role, the Nigerian press has always been concerned and campaigning, actively reflecting and commenting on political developments in the country.