SECTOR 2 2.1 A wide range of sources of information (print, broadcasting, internet, mobile phones) is accessible and affordable to the public Nigeria is awash with news sources, from a vibrant but struggling newspaper industry to an expanding online news and information services. The use of newspapers in Nigeria is declining.12 Panellists stated that circulation numbers have fallen sharply across all titles, as newspapers grapple with an ageing readership and steep competition from cheaper and more accessible sources of information such as social media. According to estimates provided by one panellist, the total circulation was hardly a million for a population of 200 million people. Newspapers have also been cutting back on the number of editions, regularity on the stands and distribution to far-flung parts of the country. More than a dozen titles have closed down in recent years.13 Local and regional papers have been hardest hit, with many shutting down before making any impact. Tough economic forces, such as ever-increasing costs of production, have forced surviving newspapers to raise prices. Average copy prices have increased from 50 kobos or naira cents in the 1980s to N200-300 (US$0.55-0.83).14 This has further shrunk newspaper readership, leading to a rise in the number of free readers’ associations across the country.15 Once a major source of information, newspapers and other print media products are now only reaching a few, mainly city dwellers. In rural areas, newspapers arrive several days late, if ever. One panellist said it was common for readers in some towns to travel to the nearest city to purchase often outdated papers. The broadcast sector has been rapidly expanding, seemingly without disruption from social media. Private broadcasting has become very popular over the past decade, with almost every town or city having access to radio stations and television channels, however, federal and state-owned radios and TVs remain major players. The NTA has more than 110 stations throughout the country and remains the largest television network. The government-funded Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and its subsidiary Radio Nigeria, have more FM and SW stations that any other news organisation. Broadcast audio-visual media are by far more affordable and accessible than print media sources. Audience numbers have held steady over the years. In the north of the country, listening to the radio is a way of life. The prices of handheld radio sets have dropped over the years, enabling more people to listen to the radio. 12 Read more about newspapers published in Nigeria at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspapers_published_in_Nigeria. 13 Newspapers that have closed down during the past years include PM News, the Champion, the Triumph, the Concord, the Sketch, the Daily Times, News Watch, This Week and Tell Magazine. 14 NGN1 = USD 0.0028 15 Unable to pay the full price of a newspaper, free readers pay vendors a small fee to flip through several newspapers. Some are so well-organised that Nigerians now talk of free readers associations in almost every major town. 23 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NIGERIA 2019