Newswatch
Encyclopedia
Newswatch is a Nigeria
n weekly news magazine published by Newswatch Communications Limited in Nigeria
.
Newswatchs weekly print run can be as high as 100,000 copies.
Newswatch was formed by Nigerian journalists Dele Giwa
, Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese and Yakubu Mohammed in 1984, and the first edition was distributed on January 28, 1985.
A 1989 description of the magazine said it "changed the format of print journalism in Nigeria [and] introduced bold, investigative formats to news reporting in Nigeria".
However, in the first few months of the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida
, who took power in August 1985, the magazine was shamelessly flattering. It printed his face on the cover four times and even criticized "anyone who attempted to make life unpleasant for Babangida".
The honeymoon did not last.
Giwa, the first editor-in-chief of Newswatch, was killed by a mail bomb in his home on October 19, 1986.
The magazine was forced to shut down for six months from April 1987 by the Babangida administration for publishing information from what seemed to be a harmless government White Paper.
The magazine again changed tack.
Newswatch named Babangida "Man of the Year" (1989), and Babangida appointed Alex Akinyele, a Newswatch Director, as his information minister.
In June 1992 the government expelled a journalist from the Financial Times
who had written an article criticizing government use of oil money. Although papers such as Concord and The Guardian
were critical, Newswatch remained silent.
As of 1996 the magazine was said to have a circulation of 150,000 copies in Africa, Europe and North America.
Prominent directors included Chief Tony Momoh
, Otunba Mike Adenuga and Chief Alex Akinyele.
In December 2010 the magazine celebrated its 25th anniversary at a ceremony in Lagos.
The magazine gave out a book "Jogging in the Jungle: The Newswatch Story" to attendees.
Former Ogun State
Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba
presided as chairman.
On 8 May 2011 it was announced that 51% of the shares of Newswatch Communications Limited had been purchased by Global Media Mirror Ltd, publishers of the National Mirror
and owned by Jimoh Ibrahim.
Ibrahim had taken over as executive chairman, replacing Alex Akinyele.
Bala Dan Abu, executive editor, was given responsibility for building up the editorial team.
The new owner was to pay off all debts and pay the backlog of seven months of staff salary.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n weekly news magazine published by Newswatch Communications Limited in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
.
Newswatchs weekly print run can be as high as 100,000 copies.
Newswatch was formed by Nigerian journalists Dele Giwa
Dele Giwa
Dele Giwa was a Nigerian journalist, editor and founder of Newswatch magazine, who was killed by a mail bomb in his home on 19 October 1986...
, Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese and Yakubu Mohammed in 1984, and the first edition was distributed on January 28, 1985.
A 1989 description of the magazine said it "changed the format of print journalism in Nigeria [and] introduced bold, investigative formats to news reporting in Nigeria".
However, in the first few months of the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida
Ibrahim Babangida
General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida CFR DSS mni , popularly known as IBB, was a Nigerian Army officer and military ruler of Nigeria...
, who took power in August 1985, the magazine was shamelessly flattering. It printed his face on the cover four times and even criticized "anyone who attempted to make life unpleasant for Babangida".
The honeymoon did not last.
Giwa, the first editor-in-chief of Newswatch, was killed by a mail bomb in his home on October 19, 1986.
The magazine was forced to shut down for six months from April 1987 by the Babangida administration for publishing information from what seemed to be a harmless government White Paper.
The magazine again changed tack.
Newswatch named Babangida "Man of the Year" (1989), and Babangida appointed Alex Akinyele, a Newswatch Director, as his information minister.
In June 1992 the government expelled a journalist from the Financial Times
Financial Times
The Financial Times is an international business newspaper. It is a morning daily newspaper published in London and printed in 24 cities around the world. Its primary rival is the Wall Street Journal, published in New York City....
who had written an article criticizing government use of oil money. Although papers such as Concord and The Guardian
The Guardian (Nigeria)
The Guardian is an independent daily newspaper published in Nigeria by Guardian Newspapers Limited.The Guardian has been described as "Nigeria's most respected newspaper".-Foundation:...
were critical, Newswatch remained silent.
As of 1996 the magazine was said to have a circulation of 150,000 copies in Africa, Europe and North America.
Prominent directors included Chief Tony Momoh
Tony Momoh
Prince Tony Momoh is a Nigerian journalist and politician who was Nigerian Minister of Information and Culture during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.-Birth and education:...
, Otunba Mike Adenuga and Chief Alex Akinyele.
In December 2010 the magazine celebrated its 25th anniversary at a ceremony in Lagos.
The magazine gave out a book "Jogging in the Jungle: The Newswatch Story" to attendees.
Former Ogun State
Ogun State
Ogun State is a state in South-western Nigeria. It borders Lagos State to the South, Oyo and Osun states to the North, Ondo State to the east and the republic of Benin to the west. Abeokuta is the capital and largest city in the state...
Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba
Olusegun Osoba
Segun Osoba was elected governor of Ogun State in January 1992 on the Social Democratic Party platform, and was removed from office by the administration of General Sani Abacha in November 1993...
presided as chairman.
On 8 May 2011 it was announced that 51% of the shares of Newswatch Communications Limited had been purchased by Global Media Mirror Ltd, publishers of the National Mirror
The Mirror (Nigeria)
The National Mirror is a daily newspaper published in Nigeria. It has a tabloid format.The National Mirror was founded by Prince Emeka Obasi in 2006...
and owned by Jimoh Ibrahim.
Ibrahim had taken over as executive chairman, replacing Alex Akinyele.
Bala Dan Abu, executive editor, was given responsibility for building up the editorial team.
The new owner was to pay off all debts and pay the backlog of seven months of staff salary.