SECTOR 2 2.3 The editorial independence of print and online media published by a public authority is protected adequately against undue political interference Nigeria’s federal government does not currently own a newspaper. However, almost every state government owns and runs a newspaper. Panellists said these newspapers are set up to be dependent on and controlled by state authorities, who determine editorial policies and recruit both management and editorial staff. In most states, the state newspaper is supervised directly by the state’s Chief Press Officer (CPO), who with a phone call, can give editorial directives, including how to cover certain stories. Describing the relationship between state authorities and state newspapers, one panellist said, ‘The governor is the law and the CPO is the law officer and hitman.’ Panellists were unsurprised that things were the way they were. One said: State newspapers are set up primarily to defend state interests and project state actions and anything else will be a contradiction. They understand that their job is to serve the [state] government of the day. They are image builders and not news organisations. 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: Score of previous years: ✓✓✓✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ 1.2 2008: 1.1; 2011: 1.1; 2015: 2.3 2.4 Transparency of news media ownership is guaranteed by law and enforced Nigeria’s media laws do not expressly make the transparency of news media ownership mandatory. However, indirect means of verification such as media licensing and company registration procedures or corporate beneficial ownership registries can tell the public who owns what media. In respect of a long-standing tradition in the newspaper industry, publications routinely carry a masthead, which sometimes includes ownership information. Panellists said the transparency of news media ownership was a problem, despite the availability of different avenues for finding such ownership information. Politicians interested in controlling dominant narratives in the media were 26 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NIGERIA 2019