Abstract
Over the past two to three decades, journalism education at advanced levels is increasingly gaining popular acceptance despite being gendered, with more institutions of higher learning (such as universities and polytechnics) offering courses in Mass Communication and Journalism across Nigeria. Also, since the deregulation of the Nigerian broadcast media industry in 1992, many public and commercial broadcast outlets have been established across Nigeria, thus providing a bustling market for journalism career. This development could have encouraged those who studied Mass Communication and Journalism especially women (who are often discriminated against) to consider adopting journalism as a career after graduation. However, it is not known whether that is obtainable, and what factors could be affecting that. To solve that research gap, this study examined the factors impeding the adoption of journalism as a career among female graduates of mass communication in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. The study attempted to finding out the rationale behind non-pursuance of journalism by women. A qualitative survey approach, specifically the key informant interview (KII) approach was adopted. Using the snowball sampling method, 12 women mass communication graduates who were selected for interviews, and their responses were analysed using the thematic approach. The study found that: there was a great deal of perceived discrimination senior colleagues at places of work and by the general society toward women that are into journalism practice in Nigeria; female roles as mothers and wives; religious and cultural beliefs; and poor salary/wages were some of the critical factors impeding women mass communication graduates in Maiduguri from adopting journalism-related careers. The study concluded that women mass communication graduates in Maiduguri have negative perception toward journalism-related careers. The study, therefore, recommended that media organisations should make it as a duty to employ offer employment opportunities to more women and formulate and implement viable and strong gender equality policies. Keywords: Career consideration, Journalism career, Mass communication graduates, Media organisations, Nigerian news media, Women journalists DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/98-01 Publication date: September 30 th 2021
Highlights
Journalism is as “the mission of collecting, writing and disseminating news and opinions about society through the media”
4.1 Socio-Cultural Challenges Affecting Journalism Career Consideration among Women Graduates of Mass Communication Having studied mass communication as a course at an advanced or degree level, and in a university, ordinarily, pursuing a career that is related to media or journalism, even temporarily, would be a nice idea to them
Given that they are graduates of mass communication, they possibly may have graduated with flying colors; should that be the case, many people who were important to them, for example, their families, parents, friends, and mentors would naturally expect that they pursue a career that is related to mass communication and journalism
Summary
Journalism is as “the mission of collecting, writing and disseminating news and opinions about society through the media”. Journalists inform the society about itself and publish what would otherwise be private. Journalists provide information, commentary, and amplification on matters already in the public domain (Ganiyu & Akinreti, 2011 cited in Tijani-Adenle, 2019). There were only two higher education institutions offering courses in journalism – the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, which started in 1961 and the University of Lagos in 1967. These two institutions offered a diploma in mass communication where students took courses in journalism. According to Emenyeonu (1991) initially, prospective students were reluctant to join journalism because the preferred career options at the time were medicine, engineering, law, and architecture. On the contrary, as there seems to be a fascination in the study of mass communication that is witnessing an exponential rise in the number of candidates (mostly young women), in such a manner that the discipline has become attractive to many Nigerians
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
