Comparative Analysis of Press Freedom in Nigeria under the Administrations of Presidents Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari (2010-2020)

Olalekan Hassan, Rotimi Olatunji and Jide Jimoh
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Olalekan Hassan: Lecturer, Department of Public Relations and Advertising, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Lagos State University.
Rotimi Olatunji: Professor and Former Dean, is of the Department of Public Relations and Advertising Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Lagos State University.
Jide Jimoh: Professor, Department of Journalism, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Lagos State University.

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, 2025, vol. 12, issue 4, 843-858

Abstract: In Nigeria, successive governments have sought to restrain and control the media, whether military regime or civilian administration. This article attempts a comparative analysis of the state of press freedom in the Fourth Republic with particular attention to the administrations of Presidents Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari. The study aims to investigate the forms of impunity committed against press freedom and assess illegal arrests of journalists and media workers during the administrations of presidents Jonathan and Buhari. The social responsibility and authoritarian theories were adopted. The study adopted the qualitative research design using an interview guide and document analysis for data collection. 20 Key Informants were selected through both the purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Internet-sourced documents, published newspapers, and magazine reports were utilised for secondary data. Data analysis was carried out using NVivo and thematic analysis. The study established that both the administrations of GEJ (43 cases) and PMB (42 cases) almost equally committed several acts of impunity against the press; both administrations were found wanting of arbitrary detention and arrest of media workers. Therefore, the study recommends the need for media workers and civil society organisations to remain vigilant in championing press freedom.

Date: 2025
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