SECTOR 4

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country meets only a few aspects of indicator

3

Country meets some aspects of indicator

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator.

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator

Average score:

3.0 (2008 = 4.0)

4.4
Equal opportunities regardless of race, social
group, gender/sex, religion, disabilities and age are
promoted in media houses.
There is no evidence of stated policies to promote equal opportunities within media
houses. Even though industry insiders say doors are open to all, the employment
and promotion of media workers is often influenced by factors such as family
relationship or ethnicity. It is also common for politicians and public officials to
impose workers from their constituencies for vacancies in state-owned media
organisations as a means of granting favours to their supporters. Oftentimes, job
openings are not even made public.
Nevertheless, there has been a significant increase in the recruitment of women
into the media industry over the last few years. With fewer men seeking public
service jobs in the state media (which is generally considered less financially
attractive), more room has become available for women in the industry. The
growing interest of women in journalism is reflected in the increased enrolment of
women at journalism school enrolment each year.
Even though top positions are still dominated by men, women are getting
increasingly important assignments. At Nations Newspapers Group in the
Muslim-dominated Kaduna state, the State Assembly is covered by a Christian
woman.

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NIGERIA 2011

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