International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Media editorial policy reflects the ideological foundation of any media organisation.
Objective: The main goal of this study is to investigate the influence of editorial policy and ownership bias on media reportage of political personalities during the 2023 general election in Imo State, Nigeria. The study was anchored on the gatekeeping theory.
Method: The survey research design was adopted as the methodology. Using the census principle, the researchers adopted 380 registered journalists in Owerri serving asthe population and sample size. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, while analyses were done using simple percentage, tables and mean analyses with the aid of SPSS version 21.
Result: Findings revealed that journalists in Owerri were knowledgeable about the concept of editorial policy; there is a high level of adherence to editorial policies of their various media organisations, though ownership interest overrides what is documented; that their reports on political personalities have been rejected based on editorial policy and ownership bias. Also, further findings revealed that political personalities negatively influence what is reported in the Nigerian media space.
Conclusion: The researchers concluded that ownership bias and political personalities in Nigerianegatively influence the media from doing their job objectively.
Unique Contribution: Through its findings, this study has offered useful insights into how ownership structure and politically vested interest is posing a serious challenge to the advancement of objective media practice in Nigeria and the entire globe, anda possible way forward for better media practice.
Key Recommendation: Media ownership should not be individualised, but rather a group ownership that will reduce bias. Journalists and media owners should be detached from politicians so as to avoid bias and undue political influence.