International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Media freedom in Nigeria has been an issue after the country’s 63 years of independence. Hence, it became imperative to evaluate the media system in Nigeria in the fourth Republic with a view to recommending strategies for improvements.
Objective: The study evaluated the media system in Nigeria in the Fourth Republic to ascertain the extent of press freedom in the country with a view to making recommendations for improvements.
Method: The study adopted the theoretical research method as a framework to evaluate the Nigerian media landscape.
Result: Findings of the study showed that the media system in Nigeria is a mix of authoritarian, libertarian and social responsibility systems.
Conclusion: The study concludes that the media space in Nigeria is far from being free even though the country is under civil rule. The Print and the New Media enjoy a semblance of freedom to operate, the electronic media does not.
Unique Contribution: The study has expanded the frontiers of knowledge from previous studies in this area by making a deliberate effort to look at the media system in Nigeria during the Fourth Republic and offered new approaches within which to confront the challenges associated with media freedom in Nigeria.
Key Recommendation: The study recommended among others that journalists should embrace self-regulation and deepen public confidence in the Nigerian media through willingness to correct lapses and obedience to professional censure.