SECTOR 1 1.2 The right to freedom of expression is practised and citizens, including journalists, are asserting their rights without fear. Nigeria has a vibrant press with government-run and privately-owned media outlets vigorously trying to outperform each other for audience and advertising revenue. The private press has improved over the years, and attempts to match international standards in terms of quality of production. With the advent of democracy, journalists and citizens have also become more daring and vocal in expressing their views. Even Federal and State-run news outlets now make an effort to air the opinions of all parties during political campaigns, albeit with much “...most media difficulty. New media, especially social media, have given citizens more voice. The Internet (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube) and mobile phone text messaging were used extensively during the 2011 elections to share information and opinions about the polls with comparatively less fear than in past elections. Radio stations are also beginning to popularise call-in programmes, which give members of the public the opportunity to air their views. “...people are yet to see themselves as free citizens”. outlets are owned by politicians, and journalists are often forced to comply with their dictates” . It can be said that journalists in Nigeria take advantage of the rights and freedoms granted to them by the constitution, but this if often not without fear. “Public officials, media owners and interest groups like advertisers, often interfere with the work of journalists through threats, harassment, abductions and even assassinations,” according to a panellist. Another panellist added that “most media outlets are owned by politicians, and journalists are often forced to comply with their dictates”. It is common for a public official or advertiser to put pressure on a media owner to sack a reporter because of a negative report. Many are thus forced to practice self-censorship, both for their personal safety and job security. Additionally, journalists lack basic insurance coverage and are often unwilling to take risks. The highly sensitive nature of the Nigerian public, particularly to religious and ethnic issues, also means that journalists are unable to report every story, for fear of provoking angry reactions. The Miss World crisis of 2002 and the recurrent religious clashes continue to haunt the Nigerian media and public in 2011. According to Nigerian Red Cross officials, at least 100 people died in the northern city of Kaduna following two days of rioting in protest at the Miss World beauty AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NIGERIA 2011 9