International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: The advent of mobile technology has revolutionized journalism, enabling real-time news reporting and dissemination. Nigeria's mobile phone penetration rate has grown rapidly, with over 190 million subscribers as of 2022, creating opportunities for media professionals to reach audiences, especially in rural areas. Rivers and Bayelsa States, key areas in Nigeria's economy and politics, have a diverse population with a growing youth demographic. Previous studies have examined the impact of mobile journalism on news reporting and consumption patterns in other contexts, highlighting the opportunities and challenges presented by this shift; but there remains a gap in the Nigerian context, particularly in the Niger Delta region, to understand the specific dynamics at play and inform strategies for media professionals and policymakers.
Objective: This study investigated the impact of mobile journalism on news reporting and consumption patterns in Rivers and Bayelsa States, Nigeria, focusing on determining how mobile journalism has influenced the speed and style of news reporting and assessing the extent to which mobile devices have reshaped audience preferences and consumption patterns.
Method: The study adopted descriptive survey research design involving a representative sample of 364 respondents selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire served as the primary instrument for data collection, with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.82 confirming internal reliability. Data were analysed using Weighted Mean Scores to interpret response trends.
Result: Findings indicate that mobile journalism has substantially enhanced the speed, immediacy, and interactivity of news dissemination, allowing journalists to report events in real-time and engage audiences through multimedia formats. While social media platforms – (Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and WhatsApp) serve as dominant channels for mobile news distribution, audiences however express greater trust in traditional news outlets, citing credibility and editorial oversight as decisive factors.
Conclusion: The conclusion of this study is that mobile journalism has redefined the dynamics of news production and consumption, offering unprecedented speed and accessibility, yet simultaneously demanding stronger ethical safeguards and professional discipline.
Key Recommendation: The study recommends targeted training programmes, editorial protocols, and audience literacy initiatives to ensure that the practice of mobile journalism contributes meaningfully to credible, responsible, and democratic communication in Nigeria's evolving media arena.
Unique Contribution: This study provides empirical evidence on the impact of mobile journalism on news consumption patterns in Nigeria's Niger Delta region, highlighting the need for media outlets to adapt to changing audience preferences while maintaining editorial standards.