Public Perception of Newspapers' Reportage of Nigeria's Democratic Process and Media Performance (2015–2020)

This study investigated audience perceptions of Nigerian newspapers’ reportage of the democratic process and media performance within the post-2015 democratic era (20152020), based on data obtained from a 2020 nationwide field survey. Using a descriptive survey design complemented by in-depth interviews, data were collected from newspaper readers across selected states/FCT. Specify the states/FCT selection criteria for methodological clarity. A total of 902 valid questionnaires were analyzed. Indicate response rate to strengthen methodological transparency. Findings indicate that respondents perceived the quality of Nigeria’s democracy since 2015 as generally low, with the aggregate democratic quality index (M = 23.3559, SD = 6.28731) falling below the benchmark median (25.5). Explain derivation of the benchmark median. Respondents, however, rated newspapers relatively positively on watchdog performance (M = 29.6741, SD = 4.60060), suggesting continued public recognition of newspapers’ accountability role. Press freedom was perceived as constrained (M = 15.6408, SD = 4.28450), below the benchmark median (16), implying a restrictive environment for robust oversight reporting. Objectivity was perceived favourably on the right-of-reply indicator (M = 3.2672, SD = 0.94851). Clarify scale range for interpretive adequacy. Spearman correlation results show that perceived watchdog role was significantly related to perceived democratic quality (rs = .389, p = .000) and educational qualification (rs = .105, p = .002).The study concludes that while readers acknowledge newspapers’ watchdog contribution, low perceived democratic quality and constrained press freedom may limit the broader democratic gains expected from media performance.