Ideological Shifts of Nigerian Journalists: Analysis of Dr Reuben Abati’s Articles

Abstract

Communication between elected officials and those that elected them is vital to healthy functioning of democracy. Political officeholders need to tell the citizenry what they have and intend to do for them to improve their socio-economic wellbeing. Given that such exchange may prove impossible without the agency of the media, thus, the use of media aides becomes expedient. This paper appraised how serving as the Presidential media adviser shifted the ideological positions of Dr. Reuben Abati with reference to the performance of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. The study drew on the theoretical insights of political economy and power distance theories to make sense of the changing perspectives towards Jonathan’s administration. Using rhetorical analysis, the research made visible Abati’s ideological positions through the arguments he makes. The study concluded that Abati operated within adversarial orientation while in the employ of The Guardian newspaper but became enormously loyal (operated as guard dog of the authorities) to the presidency once he was appointed as media aide.