CAMPUS JOURNALISM AND THE CHALLENGES OF STUDENT REPORTING IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF MASS COMMUNICATION STUDENTS, UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY.

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the landscape of campus journalism within Nigerian universities, shedding light on its significance, challenges, and broader implications. Recognizing the crucial role of media representation in all sectors of Nigerian society, including academia, the study focuses on the practice of campus journalism, which strives to meet this need. Despite its importance, the practice faces numerous obstacles in Nigeria. Using Mass Communication students at the University of Benin as a case study, the study aims to assess students' awareness and understanding of campus journalism, identify key challenges faced by student reporters, examine how these challenges impact the effectiveness of the practice, and analyze the various stakeholders contributing to these obstacles. Drawing on the Social Responsibility Theory, the research employs survey methodology, specifically utilizing questionnaires, with a total of 278 responses collected. The findings highlight the significant influence of school authorities as key stakeholders in creating challenges for campus journalism. Based on these results, the study recommends that university authorities enhance institutional support for student reporters, thereby fostering a more conducive environment for campus journalism to thrive.