The Guardian (Nigeria)

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The Guardian is an independent newspaper published in Nigeria by Guardian Newspapers Limited. It is the main competitor to The Punch for advertising, albeit not for circulation. Unlike The Punch it is focussed on business content rather than upon what the editor of The Punch refers to as "appeal to the working classes".^[1] The paper is one of the few relatively long lasting national papers in the country. It is believed its durability is a result of its broad range of issues, and contacts, its close link to the Ibru family and non-partisanship.

[edit] History

The Guardian in its early stages of circulation was of one the few national dailies that did not publish advertised obituaries. But since 1989, the policy as changed and elitist advertisement now makes a large percentage of its revenue. However, its stands on critical issues affecting the newspaper business and the nation at large has earned it respect among many readers. In later years, the active role taken by some partisan but short lived newspapers and other newspapers in general as agents of change, however, clouded the decision making of a few heads of state. The promulgation of decree four has made timid any form of caustic criticism of government. Mr Thompson, a reporter for the paper and Mr Nduka Irabor were both sent to jail in 1984 under Decree No. 4 of that year. The publisher also escaped an assassination attempt during the regime of Sani Abacha.