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Women in Nigerian News Media: Status, Experiences and Structures

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Women in Nigerian News Media: Status, Experiences and Structures Women in Nigerian News Media: Status, Experiences and Structures. Ganiyat Tijani-Adenle Abstract This study investigates women journalists’ experience of journalism practice in Nigeria and reviews the structures that moderate those experiences. The thesis employs an ethnographic approach in answering the research questions. An observation of women journalists’ interaction with their colleagues in the newsrooms of two news media organisations were conducted for a total of four weeks, 46 media workers (two HR managers, one production staff, 11 male journalists and 32 female journalists) were interviewed and the staff regulation and policy handbooks of five news organisations were reviewed to understand Nigerian news media organisations’ equality and gender policies. A study grounded in African feminist theory and a phenomenological approach to research; this thesis privileges women journalists’ experiences and is focused primarily on documenting how they experience the news industry in Nigeria. Analysing findings using thematic analysis, the study reveals that women journalists experience various inequalities in the Nigerian news industry. Key findings are that even though more women are increasingly covering the hard beats, women journalists are nonetheless clustered in the soft beats. Contrary to previous evidence, pay equality is in theory but not practice as negotiation, nepotism and gender norms sometimes cause salary differentials for men and women journalists. The non-payment of salaries drives women out of media organisations. Sexual harassment and sexism are rife in Nigerian news companies and many organisations do not have policies and frameworks to address them, the few who handle sexual harassment complaints do so unofficially and off the records. Marriage and motherhood are the dominant factors creating glass ceilings for women journalists working in the Nigerian news media. This study contributes to knowledge by providing original insight into how women experience journalism practice in Nigeria, thus filling a huge gap as the bulk of feminist media research on the gendered nature of media production processes and how women experience the news industry have been on the global North. a Acknowledgement “Which of the favours of your Lord would you deny?” – Qur’an 55:38 This project could not have been completed without the support of my supervisory team. Prof. Heather Savigny came in at a critical time, gave me tough love and jolted me out of my slumber and for this I am indeed very grateful – you are really appreciated. I am indebted to Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes, my primary supervisor for starting and concluding this journey with me despite her transfer to Leicester University – I don’t know what I would have done without your selflessness, immense sacrifice and support, you’re indeed a great supervisor and mentor. I am thankful to Prof. Stuart Price for his guidance and support and I appreciate the contributions of Ms. Margaret Montgomerie (before her retirement). You all are very wonderful people. I am grateful to Prof. Victor Ayedun-Aluma, my mentor and tutor for being my local supervisor (pro bono). Gathering data for this project would not have been possible without the two news media organisations that opened their newsrooms for my observations, it is unfortunate I can’t identify you but that does not diminish your organisations’ great contributions, thank you! I owe the journalists and media workers who agreed to be interviewed more, for sharing their professional and personal lives with me. Your sacrifices will surely make a difference to women’s experience of journalism practice in Nigeria. My family gave a lot for me to finish this programme. I want to value my wonderful husband and lovely kids for all the sacrifices they made; now you can have your wife and mummy back. You all mean the world to me and I am indeed honoured to have you all – love you to the moon and back! To the best mum in the world (Maami; I love you) – you’re God’s greatest gift - and my siblings - it’s great to be a part of the 5 man squad. Your support all through is beyond measure. To my Dad who started this journey with me but wasn’t alive to see the completion - my prayers are always with you. I have to acknowledge the support of my godfather – Alhaji Adeniran (thanks always for your prayers). You’ve mentored me from a young age and sacrificed a lot for myself and my siblings when we were too young to understand the sacrifices you were making to provide those seemingly ‘effortless’ acts of kindness. There is no reward for good except good. May Allah reward you with paradise. I owe a lot to my godfather, Prof. Lai Olurode – I can’t thank you enough. I am certain Allah will thank you on my behalf with the blessings of paradise (In Sha Allah) and make your biological children the coolness of your eyes and a continuous source of blessings for you in this world and the next. I have to appreciate the angels Allah sent to protect and guide me during the challenging time at Lagos State University (LASU); retired Registrar – Alhaji Lateef Animashaun, esq. (what a kind, humble and noble man you are), retired Registrar – Mr. Lewis Akinwunmi esq. (I am grateful), Registrar – Mr. Yinka Amuni, esq. (I am indebted to you), Mr. Ahmed Muslim b Akanbi, Mr. Sherifudeen Ismail, Mr. Oladimeji Ashade, Alhaja Adesunkanmi, Mr. Sunday Oyedele and Ms. Olubunmi Agosu. God will not abandon you all in your times of need. I don’t know what I would have done without the unending support and guidance of Prof. Lai Oso – you are more than a career mentor. You are a father because you illuminate my world on every aspect. I also have to appreciate Dr. Jimi Kayode – both you and Prof. Oso stood by me even in the face of blackmail and intimidation – the storm is over and it has left us stronger and more bonded. I will never forget your sacrifice. I recognise the support of my current Dean, Prof. Rotimi Olatunji and Head of Department, Dr. Jide Jimoh; it is people like you who make LASUSOC thick. I won’t forget tutors from my alma mater - Mass Communication Department of the University of Lagos - Dr. Oloruntola Sunday who encouraged me to give DMU a shot and Dr. Ismail Ibrahim who provided guidance, I am forever grateful. I have to appreciate Abu Ahmad (Bro. Misbahudeen Adekomaiya), Al-Barka MFB, CTC Cooperative and Dr. Raheemah Adeniran (a great friend) for providing loans at critical times. Many thanks to: TETFUND, UNILAG Muslim Alumni, OIE Majmuh and Mr. Rasaq Ashaju for grants that enabled me to complete the programme. I couldn’t have done it without all the help I received. My uncle - Alhaji Ikililu Tukur (Ireland), Pastor Steven (UK), my big sister and friend - Sister Kafilah Olaide Adekoya and her family, Hajia Bushrah Ismail (Ummu Maryam), Prof. Omoteso, the Nigerian Muslim community in Leicester, the Tijani family of Plymouth and Shola Tijani (London) for the love and care showered on me. You all made me feel at home while in the UK. It was nice to know, spend time and discuss communication and feminism with fellow doctoral students who are now all Drs. - Jilly Boyce Kay, Claire Sedgwick, Cassian Scruggs Sparkes-Vian, Ruth Sanz Sabido and not forgetting my senior colleague from Nigeria; Kehinde Adeniyi. Rayhanah Abdur-Rasaq Akinremi played a critical role that will forever be appreciated, thanks dear. Much love to Fatimah Abdul and Safiyyah Abdur-Rasaq for some of the clerical services you equally rendered. This acknowledgement would be incomplete without mentioning great friends whose love, sacrifice and commitment to my success kept me going all through; Sman, Editor – what would I have done without the two of you? I can’t forget Hassan Olapade, Shukrah Nihinlolawa Odufuye and my abundant troop of mentors, family, friends, colleagues and brethren who nudged me to finish my thesis. I also acknowledge Lawyer and Alhaji for their counselling and encouragement all through the journey. I can’t mention you all but your names are engraved in my heart. Above all, I thank my Lord, Allah, the Creator of the heavens of the Earth and the Bestower of knowledge for making a dream I had at the age of 10 finally become a reality; Alhamduli Llahi Rabbil ‘Aalameen. c Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................................. a Acknowledgement ............................................................................................................................. b Table of Contents .............................................................................................................................. d List of Tables .................................................................................................................................... g Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ i Why Study Women in Nigeria’s News Media? ............................................................................... i Project Objectives .......................................................................................................................... ii Thesis Structure ............................................................................................................................. ii Chapter One: Context ................................................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction
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