📖 ABSTRACT/OVERVIEW
Investigative journalism has emerged as a cornerstone of accountability media in democratic societies, with its capacity to expose institutional corruption, mobilise public outrage, and stimulate policy reform. This study examined the role of investigative journalism practised by TheCable and Premium Times in advancing anti-corruption discourse and accountability in Nigeria between 2021 and 2024. The study was anchored on the Watchdog Theory of Journalism, which holds that the press serves a democratic function by scrutinising the exercise of power and informing citizens of abuses. A qualitative content analysis design was adopted, with a purposive sample of 120 investigative reports drawn equally from both publications across the study period. Reports were analysed for thematic depth, source diversity, evidence quality, follow-up coverage, and documented policy or legal consequences. Findings revealed that both publications produced high-quality investigative work characterised by multi-source corroboration and primary document evidence, though Premium Times demonstrated greater consistency in follow-up reporting. Only 31 percent of investigated cases resulted in documented institutional responses, suggesting a disconnect between media exposure and accountability outcomes. The study also found that both publications faced legal threats and economic pressures that periodically constrained editorial independence. The study concluded that investigative journalism by TheCable and Premium Times contributes meaningfully to anti-corruption discourse but is hampered by weak institutional follow-through and structural vulnerabilities. It was recommended that media organisations build legal defence funds and that civil society organisations systematically amplify investigative findings to create stronger accountability pressure.
Keywords: investigative journalism, anti-corruption, watchdog theory, TheCable, Premium Times
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