Opinion Of Practising Journalists In Enugu On Impact Of Citizen Journalism On Mainstream Media Practice In Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the opinions of practising journalists in Enugu on the impact of citizen journalism on mainstream media practice in Nigeria and found out they believe and acknowledge citizen journalism as the new face of modern journalism, a potent phenomenon birthed by new ICT technologies and the internet, and is unleashing tremendous challenges on the practice of journalism and the communication ecosystem in Nigeria. In carrying out the study, the survey research design with the questionnaire as its instrument of data collection, was utilized. The population of the study was two hundred and forty (240), and the researcher arrived at a sample size of one hundred and fifty (150) using the Taro Yamane sample size determination formula. This study was anchored on two theories: the Technological Determinism and the Democratic Participant Media Theories. Some of the findings are that citizen journalism has made significant and revolutionary impact on the mainstream media; that many citizen journalists in Nigeria are bereft of the requisite and relevant knowledge and understanding in information sourcing, gathering, gate-keeping and dissemination; and that mainstream journalists are concerned and fearful of the deleterious negative effects of citizen journalism with its attendant penchant to fake news. It concludes that citizen journalism comes with a lot of positives, faster than the mainstream media in breaking news, supplementing the job of the professionals and keeping them on their toes, hence helping to make their work better. The recommendations, based on the findings of the study, are that  governments and communication experts should create and float enlightenment and training  programmes for the citizen journalists in the country to invest in them the professional skills they lack; that governments create and enforce laws against fake news and unverified reports and that the mainstream media continue to partner with citizen journalists to engender mutually beneficial synergy and robust relationship that will enhance the  practice of journalism in Nigeria.