SECTOR 2 Language is an important indicator of Nigerian diversity. By and large, broadcast media attempt to use the dominant local language within the community they serve, in addition to English. Newspapers have been less successful in reaching readers with content in the local and national languages. Panellists said of the few attempts made, all had failed in part due to the low literacy levels in most local languages. Nationally-minded news organisations concentrate their reporting efforts on the big cities, particularly Abuja, the centre of national political life. As a result, local content is compromised. Lagos, a city of more than 15 million people, does not have a truly metro-focused newspaper covering city life, said one panellist. The level of local coverage is worse in far-flung towns and villages, from where news organisations have been moving reporters and correspondents. Several groups and issues remain under-reported, mainly due to the media’s reproduction of the dominant social order and social representations which determine what is newsworthy or not. People living with disabilities and access issues still get very little coverage. Panellists said there was a total media blackout on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex issues, as homosexuality is illegal in the country under the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act. 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: ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 2.1 2008: n/a; 2011: 2.4; 2015: 2.8 2.9 Media cover the full spectrum of economic, cultural, political, social, national and local perspectives including through investigative reports In the assessment of the panellists, the media attempts to cover all spectra of society in order to attract a large readership. Some newsrooms have clear strategies for broadening coverage, with dedicated sections, programmes and teams of reporters covering business, culture, sports and more. Nonetheless, major events often dictate the news cycle and focus. During elections, for example, political reporting eclipses everything else for several months. In Nigeria, it is often said that “politics is life” and the media reflects the nation’s political vibrancy. 30 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NIGERIA 2019