Analysing Press Freedom during President Muhammadu Buhari Second Term (2019-2023)

Abstract

This study examined press freedom during President Muhammadu Buhari's second term (2019 to 2023). The study employed the quantitative method with content analysis as the research instrument. Drawing from a purposive sampling method, three widely circulated national daily newspapers, namely Daily Trust, The Sun and The Punch were selected for analysis; a total of 135 editions from the years 2021, 2022 and 2023, representing the entirety of Buhari's second term, were examined. The study attempted to identify press freedom violations, ascertain the newspapers reporting such violations and determine the government agencies and institutions most directly implicated in such infringements. The findings of the study revealed a prevalence of press freedom violations throughout Buhari's second term. Notably, censorship of the press emerged as a significant issue, with assaults, harassment and intimidation against journalists featuring prominently. There were also the denial of access to information and instances of kidnapped journalists underscoring the multifaceted challenges facing press freedom in Nigeria.