ABSTRACT
Nigeria’s first regularly published newspaper appeared in the 1880s, an entirely private Nigerian venture. Today most newspapers in Nigeria are either wholly or largely government-owned. While the constitution provides for complete freedom of expression, without conferring any special freedom on journalists, it limits operation of television or wireless broadcasting — which now between them cover the country — to governments, or persons or bodies authorised by the President. Yet both in the newspapers and in broadcasting there is abundant criticism of official policies and vigorous controversy. The Daily Times, published in Lagos but with a nation-wide circulation, has the biggest circulation of any daily newspaper in black Africa; the Federal government has 60 per cent of its equity, and all the equity in New Nigerian, which is published in Kaduna, in the North. Most States have, or participate in, newspapers, which usually require subsidies. Privately owned newspapers are mostly run for political purposes.
