DAILY COURIER - Beat journalism has its roots in the early 20th century, particularly in the United States. The term "beat" originally referred to the specific territory or area that a police officer patrolled, but it was later adopted by journalists to describe their specialized areas of coverage.
Here is a brief history of beat journalism:
Early Development (Late 19th to Early 20th Century)
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, newspapers began assigning reporters to cover specific areas or topics on a regular basis. This allowed journalists to develop expertise in their assigned beats and establish relationships with sources.
One of the earliest examples of beat reporting was crime reporting, where journalists covered police activities, court proceedings, and criminal investigations within a specific geographic area.
Journalism in Nigeria coincidentally started about this period, influenced by historical, political, and socio-economic factors.
During Nigeria's colonial period, journalism was largely controlled by the British colonial authorities, who used newspapers to disseminate information that served their interests.
The first newspaper in Nigeria, the Anglo-African, was established in 1859. Subsequent newspapers, such as The Lagos Times and The Nigerian Chronicle, were also established during this period.
With the rise of the nationalist movement in the early 20th century, Nigerian journalists played a key role in advocating for independence from British colonial rule. Newspapers such as The West African Pilot, founded by Nnamdi Azikiwe, and The Daily Times, founded by Ernest Ikoli and Richard B. Blaize, became important platforms for nationalist agitation and anti-colonial activism.
However, beat journalism was in its infancy due to the obsession for independence.
Expansion of Beat Reporting (Mid-20th Century)
Beat reporting expanded in the mid-20th century, with newspapers assigning reporters to cover a wide range of topics, including politics, education, business, sports, and entertainment.
Beat reporters became specialists in their assigned areas, attending press conferences, conducting interviews, and staying updated on developments and trends within their beats.
In Nigeria, numerous prominent journalists featured in this anal. While it's challenging to provide an exhaustive list, a few notable journalists who have contributed significantly to beat journalism in Nigeria include: Lateef Jakande; Peter Enahoro; Alade Odunewu; and Segun Osoba all of Daily Times fame.
Golden Age of Journalism (Mid-20th Century)
The mid-20th century is often regarded as the "golden age" of journalism, with newspapers playing a central role in informing the public and shaping public opinion.
Beat reporters such as Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of The Washington Post gained fame for their investigative reporting on the Watergate scandal, which led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974.
The growth of beat journalism in Nigeria continues to play a vital role in providing in-depth coverage and expertise in specific subject areas, contributing to a well-informed public and holding institutions accountable during this period.
All the major newspapers in Nigeria projected editorial bent that encouraged beat reporting as a form of journalism where reporters specialize in covering a particular topic, subject area, or "beat." Instead of covering a wide range of news stories, beat reporters focus on a specific beat, such as politics, education, health, environment, sports, or business.
The primary role of beat journalists is to become experts in their assigned area of coverage. They develop deep knowledge, cultivate sources, and stay updated on developments and trends within their beat. Beat reporters often attend press conferences, conduct interviews, and research stories related to their beat.
Beat journalism allows reporters to provide in-depth coverage and analysis of issues within their specialty, serving as a valuable resource for readers who seek comprehensive and authoritative information on specific topics. Beat reporters often develop a rapport with sources and stakeholders within their beat, which can lead to exclusive stories and insights.
Names such as Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor: Journalists for The Guardian newspaper; Dele Giwa: Founder and editor-in-chief of Newswatch magazine; Chris Anyanwu:
founder of The Sunday Magazine; Kunle Ajibade: founder of The News magazine among others gained notoriety for carving a niche for themselves.
Overall, beat journalism plays a crucial role in providing thorough, accurate, and insightful coverage of diverse topics and issues, contributing to a well-informed public and holding institutions accountable.
Evolution in the Digital Age (Late 20th Century to Present)
While traditional beat reporting remains an important aspect of journalism, new forms of journalism, such as data journalism and multimedia storytelling, have emerged to meet the changing needs of audiences.
In addition to traditional print journalism, beat reporting also extends to digital media platforms, where beat reporters may produce articles, videos, podcasts, and social media content tailored to their beat.
'Kwa' Journalism: A novel evil
While beat journalism offers several advantages, such as in-depth coverage and expertise in specific subject areas, it has become simply a survival strategy due to the dire welfare package for journalists in Nigeria with its downsides. Having traveled outside of Nigeria to other climes practicing journalism, it is safe to say that these evils are cancerous in Nigeria.
First, beat reporters in Nigeria have become so focused on their assigned beat that they overlook important stories or developments outside of their area of expertise. This narrow focus has resulted in a lack of coverage of significant events or trends that may impact society as a whole.
Secondly, most beat reporters in Nigeria have developed relationships with sources within their beat, leading to palpable biases or conflicts of interest. This has resulted in a limited perspective on issues and a tendency to prioritize certain viewpoints over others.
Because beat reporters spend a significant amount of time covering a specific topic, they have developed tunnel vision and overlook broader societal issues or connections between different beats. This has given rise to a lack of context and depth in reporting.
A clear example was the last presidential election in Nigeria where most beat reporters rely heavily on sources within their beat for information and access to stories. This dependency exposed an often ignored vulnerability to manipulation or bias from sources who may have their own agendas.
I was shell shocked listening to journalists with over three decades experience casting careless aspersions best known as beer parlour tales largely from non factual 'insider' sources. It is more disheartening seeing and listening to some of these clueless colleagues grace Television and Radio stations as guest analysts.
Most beat reporters in our clime have over stayed, covering the same topics and issues repeatedly, leading to a sense of stagnation and monotony in their reporting. It is not uncommon to see most senior journalists lack fresh perspectives and insights for readers. Thankfully, media units of most non- governmental and government ministries and agencies now release upload ready statements.
The satirical truth is that most beat reporters find it challenging to transition to covering different beats or topics, particularly for those who carry themselves as though their umbilical cords are tide to the beat become deeply entrenched in their area of expertise. This has inadvertently limited their career flexibility and growth opportunities within the field of journalism. Most end up becoming like fish out of the water post retirement.
Overall, while beat journalism offers valuable expertise and depth of coverage in specific subject areas, it is important for journalists and news organizations to balance this specialization with a broader perspective and diversity of coverage to ensure comprehensive and informative reporting.
• Excerpts from my soon to be published memoir - 'Kwa' Journalism: A Journos Memoir
• 'Seun Ibukun-Oni, an Abuja based journalists can be reached via email: seunoni@gatepolls.com
This is a beautiful piece and should be a conversation starter that should hopefully give media a fresh look in Nigeria
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