Challenges of newspaper circulation in Nigeria (A study of Punch, Guardian, Daily Trust and Leadership newspapers)

Abstract

The study investigated the challenges facing the circulation of newspapers in Nigeria, using Punch, Guardian, Daily Trust and Leadership Newspapers. It aimed at understanding the causes of the challenges, the effect of the challenges on newspaper organizations and to proffer solutions to these challenges. To achieve the objective of this study, an in-depth interview was conducted individually on the Circulation Managers of the selected newspaper organization, where it was discovered that high cost of living, advent of social media, bad roads, ethnic and religious sentiments, cost of transportation, late printing, high cost of production materials, armed robbers attack among others are the causes of the challenges. While some of the respondents suggested likely solutions to the challenges, by enjoining the newspaper organizations to have proper planning, prepare ahead of eventualities, introduction of prepaid policy, adequate maintenance of the materials, others said severe investments on online papers is the way out. This study is recommended for newspaper and magazine organisations to adjust and get solutions to the challenges facing the circulation of their copies to potential readers.