INFLUENCE OF OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL ON NEWS PRODUCTION OF SELECTED RADIO STATIONS IN IBADAN

This study was undertaken to examine the influence of ownership and control on news production in select radio stations in Ibadan, Nigeria. Categories of media ownership in Nigeria are private owned and government owned, but the researcher concentrated more on both government owned (Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria - FRCN) and privately owned (Splash FM) media to provide a comprehensive comparative analysis. The point of the study is to determine the influence of ownership structures on radio news coverage to determine if the news covered is owner's interest or public's interest oriented, and to assess the extent of editorial independence in contemporary Nigerian radio journalism. A survey of the selected broadcasting stations involving 51 journalists and media professionals was carried out with the use of questionnaires administered over a specified period. The data obtained were used to determine frequencies and patterns of ownership influence across different dimensions of news production. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics including simple percentage method and cross-tabulations to obtain percentage prominence and patterns of ownership influence in news coverage. The result of the analysis revealed contradictory findings that challenge conventional assumptions about ownership influence in Nigerian radio journalism. While 66.7% of respondents disagreed that ownership significantly influences editorial decisions, and 74.6% rejected that news content is tailored to reflect owners' interests, the study uncovered evidence of subtle ownership influence. Political interests were acknowledged to impact reporting by 33.4% of respondents, while 31.3% agreed that journalists face restrictions from covering certain topics due to ownership concerns. The research also shows that ownership influence operates more through agenda-setting, topic restrictions, and management decisions rather than direct editorial interference. Despite claims of editorial independence, 72.5% of respondents supported independent editorial boards and 70.6% endorsed clear editorial guidelines to reduce ownership influence. Recommendations were made based on the studies that media organizations should strengthen institutional mechanisms such as independent editorial boards, implement clear editorial guidelines, and create environments where staff can voice concerns about editorial independence, while focusing on professional journalism standards that prioritize public interest over owner's interest oriented coverage.