NIGERIA must be registered by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). It implies that the body can also ‘de – register’ a journalist. Registration is contingent upon obtaining a degree or equivalent qualification in mass communication or being a practicing journalist for at least five years. These restrictions are, however, not being enforced. In the past the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has given out forms that foresaw a professional fee in an attempt to professionalise journalism but this “did not work” in the words of one panelist. The draft copy of a journalists’ constitution is also controversial because of the lack of agreement on the minimal standards for a practicing journalist. So far it is everybody who practises the trade. The NUJ is now trying to change its status from a union to a professional body. But the problem will remain: who sets the standards? Panelists agreed that by now journalism has become an ‘all commerce profession’. It is all about commerce and profit while there is a lack of professional standards. The panel noted that there is a contest between the professional perspective which insists on minimum qualification for registering journalists and a human rights perspective which would have the career thrown open to all aspirants. SCORES: Individual scores: 2; 4; 5; 1; 4; 1; 5; 4; 3; 3; 5 Total score: 37 Average score: 3.4 African Media Barometer - Nigeria 2008 7