Sam Amuka, the 89-year-old publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, declared that Nigeria’s print newspaper industry is no longer sustainable. Speaking at the All Editors’ Conference in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Amuka stated that the skyrocketing cost of newsprint has made it impossible for any newspaper to profitably publish hard copies.
“The business of publishing print newspapers is dead,” Amuka said, citing a sharp rise in costs as a key factor. “Newsprint that used to cost N600,000 just two years ago now costs over N2 million. For instance, Vanguard barely makes enough to cover the transport costs for printed copies. A business exists to make profit, but the newspaper business no longer does.”
Amuka warned that the collapse of the print media industry could jeopardize the media’s constitutional role to hold the government accountable, as outlined in Section 24. He appealed for government support to sustain the Fourth Estate, addressing his remarks to Information Minister Mohammed Idris. “Setting up multiple online media platforms isn’t enough. We need government intervention to keep hardcopy newspapers viable, especially for advertising.”
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Prince Nduka Obaigbena, publisher of ThisDay Newspaper and founder of Arise Television, echoed Amuka’s concerns. He argued for a stronger economy and urged an end to fuel importation by making local refineries functional. “Journalists are resilient,” Obaigbena said, “but we need to take steps to revitalize our economy. If we want to avoid monopolies, our government refineries must work alongside private ones.”
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Diri Douye, also highlighted the importance of the media, referring to it as the “unofficial fourth arm of government” and essential to democracy. He emphasized the need for the media to focus on critical issues affecting Nigeria, especially environmental justice for oil-producing states like Bayelsa.
“The media plays a critical role, especially in regions like Bayelsa, where oil production has left environmental damage largely ignored,” Governor Diri said. “A fairer federal system and reforms in resource allocation are necessary to address these injustices.” He also pointed to Bayelsa’s recurring flood crisis, calling for immediate federal assistance.
