Nigerian Journalist's Strategies for Overcoming Language Barriers in International News Reporting: A Study of Channels Television
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Abstract
Language is critical in producing and disseminating international news, as journalists must gather and interpret information across linguistic and cultural boundaries. This qualitative study, anchored in Gatekeeping and Framing Theory, used in-depth interviews with five Channels Television editorial staff to examine how Nigerian journalists handle language barriers in international reporting. Findings show barriers include interpreting foreign-language documents, understanding culturally embedded expressions, verifying non-English sources, and communicating with foreign-language interviewees. Journalist’s counter these with machine translation tools, multilingual professional networks, international wire services, editorial review, and AI-assisted verification platforms. Though these strategies improve accuracy and efficiency, they’re limited by deadlines, funding, inadequate language training, and dependence on external intermediaries. The study concludes language barriers still reduce the quality and depth of international reporting in Nigerian newsrooms, and recommends investment in language training, multilingual verification systems, and cross-cultural communication skills to boost credibility.
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Oluwafisayo Ogunyemi, & Fadeyi Oluwadamilola Dorcas. (2026). Nigerian Journalist’s Strategies for Overcoming Language Barriers in International News Reporting: A Study of Channels Television. LingLit Journal Scientific Journal for Linguistics and Literature, 7(2), 88-101. Retrieved from http://biarjournal.com/index.php/linglit/article/view/1518
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Wardle, C., & Derakhshan, H. (2017). _Information disorder: Toward an interdisciplinary framework for research and policy making_. Council of Europe.
Aondover, E. M. (2024). Media Outlook of Hate Speech in the 2015 and 2019 General Elections in Nigeria. Rotura–Revista de Comunicação, Cultura e Artes, 4(1), 50-63.
Aondover, E. M., & Ademosu, I. (2025). E-learning practices of journalism education in Nigerian higher education institutions: Conceptual context and challenges. In Media and communication systems for sustainability in Nigeria (pp. 451-464). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
Aondover, E. M., & Obasi, M. (2025). Identity and the Narratives of Conflict in Nigerian Media. In Media, Conflicts and the National Security Question: Communicating (In) security in Nigeria, West Africa and the Sahel (pp. 315-334). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
Aondover, E. M., Ademosu, I., & Acheme, R. (2026). Perception of Hate Speech in the 2023 Presidential Political Campaigns on Voter Behaviour in Nigeria. Frontiers in Political Science, 8, 1750183.
Aondover, E. M., Ademosu, I., & Bonny, A. (2025). Exploring Language Learning and Cultural Exchange through TikTok and Instagram Content: An In-depth Study. Journal of Mass Communication Department, Dept of Mass Communication, University of Karachi, 33.
Aondover, E. M., Aondover, P. O., & Maiwada, A. A. (2025). Reconfiguration of Media Communication in the Age of AI and Inequality. Feedback International Journal of Communication, 2(3), 194-204.
Aondover, E. M., Daushe, A. U., Ogunbola, O., & Aondover, P. O. (2025). Media coverage of internally displaced persons in two selected newspapers in Nigeria. Journal of Migration and Health, 11, 100301.
Aondover, E. M., Ogri, E., Obukoadata, P., & Ogri, O. (2025). Nigerian Media Practitioners, Editorial Freedom and Owners’ Influence: The Continued Triad and Navigation of Conflicting Interests. Editorial Freedom and Owners’ Influence: The Continued Triad and Navigation of Conflicting Interests.
Aondover, E. M., Yusuf, N. T., & Muhammad, M. (2025). Psychological and Physical Safety of Foreign Journalists Covering Boko Haram Conflict in Borno State, Nigeria. In Navigating Trauma in African Journalism, Volume 1: Scholarly Foundations and Secondary Trauma (pp. 209-228). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
Bielsa, E., & Bassnett, S.(2009). _Translation in global news_. Routledge.
Chibuwe, A., & Salawu, A. (2020). Mainstream English language press journalists’ perceptions towards the indigenous-language press in Zimbabwe. _African Journalism Studies, 41_(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/23743670.2020.1750572
Entman, R. M. (1993). Framing: Toward clarification of a fractured paradigm. _Journal of Communication, 43_(4), 51–58. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.1993.tb01304.x
Federici, F. M. (2020). "Language barrier" in UK newspapers 2010-2020: Figurative meaning, migration, and language needs. _Cultus: The Journal of Intercultural Mediation and Communication, 13_, 194–219.
Gondwe, G.(2022). African journalists at crossroads: Examining the impact of China, US, and the UK’s short-journalism training programs offered to African journalists. _Journalism Studies, 23_(13), 1654–1670. https://doi.org/10.1080/1461670X.2022.2096665
Guanah, J. S., Bebenimibo, P., & Aondover, E. M. (2026). Fuel Communications. Fuel, 27(10015), 7.
Hall, E. T. (1976). _Beyond culture_. Anchor Books.
Hannerz, U. (2004). _Foreign news: Exploring the world of foreign correspondents_. University of Chicago Press.
Jain, V., Iyengar, K. P., & Vaishya, R. (2022). Is the English language a barrier to the non-English-speaking authors in academic publishing? _Postgraduate Medical Journal, 98_(1159), 234–235. https://doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2021-140034
Maradun, L. U., & Aondover, E. M. (2025). Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Towards COVID-19 Prevention Messages on Media in North-West, Nigeria. African Journalism Studies, 1-19.
Mohammed, I., & Aondover, E. M. (2025). News coverage of humanitarian crisis: a study of banditry in Northwest Nigeria. In Handbook on Humanitarian Crises (pp. 209-217). Edward Elgar Publishing.
Mohammed, I., Aondover, E. M., Akin-Odukoya, O. O., & Saint, E. J. (2025). Disinformation as a Tool for Recruitment by Terrorist Groups in Nigeria. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 12(1), 23-35.
Mutsvairo, B. et. al. (2021). Ontologies of journalism in the Global South. _Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, 98_(4), 996–1016. https://doi.org/10.1177/10776990211048883
Mutsvairo, B., & Ekeanyanwu, N. T. (Eds.). (2021). _Media and communication in Nigeria: Conceptual connections, crossroads and constraints_. Routledge.
Nkoala, S. (2024). How radio influences indigenous language podcasts in South Africa: A case study of Epokothweni and iLukuluku. _Journalism, 25_(10), 2245–2261. https://doi.org/10.1177/14648849231214054
Nkoala, S. B. (2020). Student perceptions of multilingualism and the culture of communication in journalism studies in higher education. _Reading & Writing, 11_(1), Article a258. https://doi.org/10.4102/rw.v11i1.258
Obasi, M. C., & Msughter, A. E. (2023). Assessment of media coverage of environmental hazards in mining communities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Environmental Challenges, 13, 100758.
Ogunyemi F. O & Fadeyi O.D & Nwaoboli, E. P (2025)Lagos Mainland Residents’ Perception of Media Reportage on Electricity Tarief Hike in Lagos State, Nigeria_ Pancasila International Journal of Applied Social Science_Vol 3 DOi_10.59653/pancasila.v3i01.1218
Ogunyemi, O. F, Fadeyi, O. D & Emmanuel C.O (2025). The impact of media convergence on news consumption among residents of ketu-kosofe local government area_International Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research (IJAMR)_ISSN:2643-9670_(9), 260-267.
Oluwafisayo O. & Fadeyi O. D (2026): Generative AI and Nigeria's emerging media economy:examining socioeconomic opportunities and structural constraints _Journal of Religion, social, cultural and political science 11_(3),221-237.https://siasatjournal.id/index.php/siasat.
Onyenankeya, K. (2022). Indigenous language newspapers and the digital media conundrum in Africa. _African Journalism Studies, 43_(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/23743670.2022.2054641
Piller, I. (2017). _Intercultural communication: A critical introduction_ (2nd ed.). Edinburgh University Press.
Schlesinger, P. (1987). _Putting 'reality' together: BBC news_. Methuen.
Tshabangu, T., & Salawu, A. (2022). Technology innovation and digital journalism practice by indigenous African-language newspapers: The case of uMthunywa in Zimbabwe. _African Journalism Studies, 43_(2), 37–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/23743670.2022.2049618
Wardle, C., & Derakhshan, H. (2017). _Information disorder: Toward an interdisciplinary framework for research and policy making_. Council of Europe.