The Nigerian media of communication

Abstract

Mass media are the technologically driven channels through which mass communication messages are transmitted to a mass audience virtually simultaneously. They constitute an indispensable institution in society. The study of the historical evolution of the mass media is fundamental to the understanding of the working of the media system cum journalism education. This chapter examines the historical evolution of the Nigerian mass media and the basic issues arising from the history, all in a bid to foster a worthwhile journalism education. Historical and ethnographic research methods were adopted to gather data and information for the work. Information was gathered mainly from secondary sources, such as textbooks, periodicals, Internet sources, etc. It was found that the evolution of the Nigerian Mass Media began with the installation of the printing press at Calabar by the Presbyterian Mission in 1846. Findings further revealed that the Rev Henry Townsend, a missionary journalist, established a printing press in Abeokuta in 1854 and in 1859, he published the first newspaper in Nigeria christened Iwe Irohin. Based on a critical analysis of the historical trend of mass media and journalism practice in Nigeria, it was established that media ownership, control and professionalism are among the basic issues in media history that are of great significance to journalism education in Nigeria as well as Africa. It is therefore recommended that mass media history should be made an indispensable element of journalism education in Nigeria in order to make for a formation of appropriate and goal-attaining media philosophy.