The digital siege: Why Nigeria’s media survival depends on policy, not just passion.

The digital siege: Why Nigeria’s media survival depends on policy, not just passion.

By Mutiat Fashina
Editor-in-Chief, Fly Cable News.

In the evolving landscape of global information, the Nigerian media stands at a precarious crossroads. While we remain the frontline defenders of democracy; informing, educating, and holding power to account , the industry itself is under siege. This is no longer just about the ethics of reporting; it is a battle for economic survival against the dual threats of unchecked Big Tech dominance and a crippling domestic economic environment.

At a high-profile gathering of influential proprietors and editors, we emphasized Nigeria’s need to safeguard citizens’ data privacy and protect journalists’ intellectual property. This underscores the urgency for governmental action and comprehensive legal frameworks in the digital landscape.

The Big Tech Tax:
For too long, global Big Tech companies have harvested editorial content sourced by Nigerian journalists , often at great personal and financial risk without a kobo of compensation. This “digital piracy” drains the lifeblood of our newsrooms. We are essentially subsidizing the growth of multi-billion dollar platforms with our labor, while the jobs of thousands of Nigerian media professionals hang in the balance. To safeguard the industry, the Federal Government must look toward international precedents where tech giants are mandated to share revenue with local publishers. Without this intervention, the “fourth estate” risks becoming a ghost of its former self.

Cybersecurity and the Privacy Frontier:
Beyond revenue, the “prevailing challenge of cybersecurity” is a ticking time bomb. Hackers and digital bad actors threaten not just the integrity of our news, but the very data of the Nigerians we serve. We urged media proprietors to double down on data protection protocols, but individual effort is not enough. We need a national framework that treats media infrastructure as a critical asset, protected from the volatility of the digital underworld.

The Cost of Truth: Tariffs and Newsprint
The proprietors and editors ‘ acknowledgment of the “hard but critical decisions” taken to save the nation from bankruptcy is noted. However, the media industry cannot fulfill its constitutional role if the tools of the trade are unaffordable. With galloping exchange rates and inflation, the cost of newsprint and broadcast equipment has reached an existential peak. The proprietors and editors ‘ promise to address import tariffs is a welcome signal. Removing these bottlenecks is not a “favor” to the media; it is an investment in the transparency required for any democracy to function.

A Two-Way Street of Accountability:
The challenged the media to hold state and local governments accountable for the increased federal allocations they now receive. We accept this challenge. In return, the media requires a “level playing ground” one where we are not crushed by the weight of tech monopolies or the soaring costs of production.

The Nigerian media has shown resilience and visionary leadership throughout our nation’s history. We have inspired and criticized this administration in equal measure because, “all of us want the best for this nation.” But for the media to remain the watchdog of the people, the state must ensure the watchdog isn’t starved into silence by digital theft and economic strain.