SECTOR 2 The media landscape, including new media, is characterised by diversity, independence and sustainability. 2.1 A wide range of sources of information (print, broadcasting, Internet) is available and affordable to citizens. A wide spectrum of media platforms are available to Nigerians, even though access may be restricted by cost, technology, circulation and other factors such as lack of electricity in some parts of the country. As far as the print media is concerned, Nigeria has a flourishing newspaper industry, with about 20 to 25 national dailies and weeklies and a multiplicity of regional publications at the level of each of the 36 States of the Federation. Circulation has, however, dwindled over the years for economic reasons. While urban centres are awash with the day’s papers, newspapers hardly reach rural readers and when they do, it is often several days after the publication date. Publishers find no incentive in incurring extra costs of pushing circulation into the rural areas, where the market is largely nonexistent. Most have adopted “strategic marketing” techniques like targeting hotels, airports and offices. On average, newspapers cost US$1 and magazines cost about US$2. These prices are generally considered expensive for the ordinary Nigerian. In broadcasting, the number of radio stations in Nigeria has been growing rapidly. There are an estimated 192 radio stations in the country, with more stations springing up in cities, towns and on school campuses. Radio is considered the medium with the widest reach. Through cheap batterypowered transistor radio sets, residents in the most remote parts of the country are able to stay connected to what is going on, and can even participate in programming. Dozens of free-to-air television stations broadcast across Nigeria. The cost of television sets has been on a steady decline, but remains largely unaffordable to the vast majority of poor Nigerians. In addition, panellists said except for the main public networks, TV signals are also usually weak, leaving swaths of the country underserved or in complete blackout. Frequent power outages mean that even those with access to TV signals often spend weeks without watching television. 20 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NIGERIA 2011