In Nigeria, journalism has sadly morphed into a high-stakes gamble where sensationalism trumps truth and integrity. In his recent inaugural lecture, Ismail Ibraheem, a distinguished professor of journalism and communication studies at the University of Lagos, sounds the alarm on this dangerous shift. He warns that prioritising profit over responsibility undermines democracy, leaving critical issues abandoned for short-lived attention, weakening the pillars of informed discourse and democratic accountability
The journalism landscape in Nigeria, like in many parts of the world, is undergoing profound transformations. The media, once regarded as the pillar of democracy and an instrument for truth-telling, has slowly but surely become entangled in the forces of sensationalism, misinformation and shallow reporting. Prof Ismail Ibraheem’s inaugural lecture at the University of Lagos, entitled Casino Journalism and the End of History, paints a worrying picture of the state of journalism in the country. His critical analysis touches on a central idea: that Nigerian journalism has transformed into a gamble, much like a casino, where the stakes are high, but the odds of truth and integrity winning are low.
The university don employed the metaphor of “casino journalism” to describe the sensationalist, profit-driven nature of modern news media—a system where the pursuit of attention and revenue often trumps the pursuit of truth and long-term understanding. Much like a game of chance, the media landscape has become unpredictable and mercenary, with major outlets treating each story like a gamble, betting on what will capture the public’s fleeting attention. But in this casino of 24-hour news cycles and clickbait headlines, the ultimate cost is not just the truth—it is the very future of meaningful discourse and progress.
To fully grasp the concept of casino journalism, one must first understand the metaphor of a casino. A casino is a place where individuals risk their money on uncertain outcomes, often driven by chance rather than skill or informed decision-making. In a similar vein, “casino journalism” refers to the practice of journalists and media outlets prioritising sensationalism, clickbait and entertainment over accuracy, responsibility and public service. The focus is no longer on serving the public with facts but on attracting views, likes and shares.
Understanding casino journalism
For context, the metaphor of casino journalism draws inspiration from Susan Strange’s Casino Capitalism, in which she critiques the speculative and unstable nature of modern global finance – an analysis of how speculative elites manipulate economic systems, which resonates with the challenges faced by contemporary journalism, where sensationalism and clickbait culture frequently eclipse substantive investigative reporting. Her critique of the risks and inequalities inherent in such systems mirrors concerns about journalism’s evolving trajectory toward what Ibraheem calls “casino journalism.” This shift, he argues, threatens the integrity of journalism, transforming it into a high-stakes gamble where spectacle often trumps truth.
In Nigeria, casino journalism manifests in several forms: sensational headlines, exaggeration of facts, and the spread of misinformation. Media houses often prioritize stories that generate quick attention, pushing critical reporting on issues like governance, corruption, and societal challenges into the background. This shift in priorities is largely driven by the financial imperatives of the media industry. As revenue increasingly depends on the number of clicks, shares and views a story garners, the temptation to sensationalise stories becomes all too great. This approach to journalism undermines the ethical standards that once defined the profession. Historically, journalists were seen as gatekeepers of truth, tasked with providing citizens with accurate, objective, and well-researched information.
One of the more insidious aspects of casino journalism in Nigeria is what can be referred to as “media amnesia.” This phenomenon manifests in a curious and troubling pattern: the media quickly abandons significant stories once a new, often more sensational one emerges. This creates a cycle of forgetfulness and neglect, where critical exposes are dropped and left to fade into obscurity, only to be overshadowed by the next headline-grabbing event. This tendency, Ibraheem warns, undermines the role of the media as a watchdog and gatekeeper of accountability, leading to a situation where issues that should be pursued with rigor and determination are instead forgotten, often to the detriment of the public and the larger democratic process.
In Nigerian media, this cycle is all too common. Take, for example, the investigative reports that occasionally surface regarding corruption, fraud or abuse of office. A journalist or media house will break a major story—say, an exposé on the misappropriation of government funds, or a scandal involving a high-ranking political figure. Public interest is piqued, debates emerge and calls for accountability are made. Yet, the moment a new, more sensational story—often a political scandal or ethnic conflict—breaks, the media swiftly abandons the initial story in favour of the latest spectacle. The urgency to capitalise on the drama of breaking news takes precedence, leaving the previous issue unresolved.
A glaring example of this media amnesia was evident in the 2018 NNPC scandal, where allegations emerged about the siphoning of billions of naira through shady deals and fraudulent transactions. Media outlets initially picked up the story with zeal, condemning the corrupt practices and pointing fingers at key figures in government. But within weeks, the story faded into the background, pushed aside by the subsequent, often more sensational, headlines surrounding political machinations and electoral issues. The scandal was never truly followed up on with the level of scrutiny it deserved. The story was not revisited, nor were there any meaningful developments that pushed the authorities to take action. This is a clear example of how Nigeria’s media often fails to exercise its power to follow up, leaving stories of public interest unresolved and unaccountable – a case of sweeping important issues under the carpet.
Similarly, during the Dieselgate scandal involving former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, accusations of money laundering, illegal oil deals and corruption surfaced. The media, initially abuzz with the dramatic revelations, soon shifted focus once other sensational political stories emerged—such as the 2015 general elections or the political infighting within the ruling party. Though the allegations of corruption were serious and far-reaching, they were quickly eclipsed by the attention given to other headlines. Media outlets did not follow up with sustained investigations or demand accountability from those in power. This failure to follow up on critical stories allowed corruption to remain entrenched in Nigerian politics and created a vacuum where the public’s right to know the full story was left unaddressed.
Casino journalism and the road to nowhere
The failure of the Nigerian media to pursue follow-up investigations has a cascading effect on both the practice of journalism and the state of democracy. At its core, this lack of persistence and accountability deprives the public of crucial information that could guide their understanding of how power is wielded and abused in the country. When stories are left unfinished, the public is denied the opportunity to understand the true extent of corruption, abuse and injustice. The media’s power to effect change is thus diluted, and its role in holding the powerful accountable is compromised.
This abandonment of important stories also stunts public discourse. For example, corruption scandals that are not followed up on often leave the public in a state of confusion and frustration. The promise of transparency and accountability, which the media should provide, is instead replaced with a feeling of disillusionment. Citizens may feel that the media is not interested in getting to the bottom of important issues or that the system is too corrupt to be reformed. Over time, this fosters a sense of cynicism, where individuals become disengaged from public affairs, believing that no amount of pressure or media attention will ever bring about justice.
Furthermore, the media’s lack of follow-up contributes to a perception of a “two-speed” justice system in Nigeria—one that deals with the latest issues with great speed and flair, but ignores the deeper, ongoing problems that require sustained attention. The political elite, knowing that the media is quick to forget, can act with impunity, confident that their transgressions will not be revisited or held to account. This dynamic creates an environment where corruption thrives and where efforts to build a fair and transparent society are continually undermined. At a broader level, the inability of the Nigerian media to provide ongoing coverage of significant issues severely undermines the country’s democracy. A healthy democracy relies on the media to inform the public, hold power to account, and ensure that citizens are educated about their rights and responsibilities. The media is the primary institution through which the public learns about the actions of their leaders, the workings of government, and the policies that affect their lives.
According to Ibraheem, when the media fails to follow up on critical stories, it leaves a void in the democratic process, as politicians and public figures are not held accountable for their actions in the same way that they would be in a functioning democracy. Investigations into corruption, policy failures, and human rights abuses are often abandoned just when they are beginning to uncover the truth. This not only robs the public of their right to know but also emboldens those in power to act with even greater disregard for the law, knowing that they can escape scrutiny once the next headline-grabbing story comes along.
The consequences of this for democracy are profound. A media that is disinterested in follow-up and investigative journalism undermines the very foundations of democratic governance. Without sustained media scrutiny, citizens lose the ability to make informed decisions, and elections become a mere formality, rather than a genuine opportunity for the public to hold their leaders accountable. Democracy is not just about voting every few years—it is about an ongoing process of engagement, debate, and scrutiny. When the media fails to hold power to account consistently, it weakens the entire democratic structure.
Moreover, the failure to provide meaningful follow-up means that issues such as corruption, election fraud, or human rights abuses never have the opportunity to be fully addressed. This leaves these problems to fester, often leading to greater political instability and social unrest. By abandoning stories quickly, the media creates a false sense of resolution, where the public believes that issues have been “dealt with” when in reality, they remain unresolved. The persistent neglect of these issues only exacerbates feelings of frustration and helplessness among citizens.
As the Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, said in her closing address, there is a sharp contrast between ethical journalism and sensationalism. “Casino journalism, with its focus on the dramatic and the superficial, erodes meaningful public discourse, distorts historical context, and weakens our collective understanding of societal issues. The ‘end of history’ mind-set fosters dangerous complacency, especially in a nation as complex as Nigeria. When the media (report) lacks depth and context, it risks serving the interests of the powerful rather than the public good.
“The integrity of our media is inseparable from the health of our democracy. Prof. Ibraheem’s call for a journalism that educates, informs, and uplifts resonates deeply with us all. We must protect and promote a free, responsible, and resilient media system, for in doing so, we safeguard the future of our democratic ideals.”
To restore integrity to the media and strengthen democracy, Nigerian journalists must take up the mantle of responsible reporting and long-term investigation. Media houses should invest in follow-up journalism, ensuring that stories are not abandoned but are pursued until they lead to tangible outcomes. This requires a commitment to truth over entertainment and the courage to hold power to account, regardless of the political or financial pressures that may arise. The future of Nigeria’s democracy depends on the media’s ability to reclaim its role as a powerful force for accountability. Only then will Nigerians be able to rely on the media as a true reflection of their society and a vital instrument in building a better future.
