Journal article
When ordinary citizens "shame the government" in the news: Nigerian journalists' exemplification practices while covering poverty
Journalism (London, England)
09/23/2025
DOI: 10.1177/14648849251383749
Abstract
Exemplars are important news sources for journalists around the world. However, little is known about journalistic practices around exemplification, particularly in relation to critical social issues like poverty. Through in-depth interviews with twelve Nigerian journalists, this study explores exemplification as a journalistic practice and contributes a non-Western perspective to exemplification theorization. Our findings indicate Nigerian journalists use exemplars to enact moral solidarity and speak truth to power. However, journalists' descriptions of times they used exemplars surfaced ways in which exemplification could negatively impact marginalized groups. Future research should proactively explore journalists' exemplification practices, particularly the complications that arise when the experiences of ordinary citizens are used to enliven the news.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- When ordinary citizens "shame the government" in the news: Nigerian journalists' exemplification practices while covering poverty
- Creators
- Munachim Amah - University of IowaRachel Young - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journalism (London, England)
- DOI
- 10.1177/14648849251383749
- ISSN
- 1464-8849
- eISSN
- 1741-3001
- Publisher
- Sage
- Number of pages
- 20
- Grant note
- School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Iowa, United States Stanley-UI Foundation Support Organization
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 09/23/2025
- Academic Unit
- Injury Prevention Research Center; School of Journalism and Mass Communication
- Record Identifier
- 9984969111602771
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