DATA ACCESS AND INTERPRETATION IN NIGERIAN JOURNALISM : EXAMINING THE CHALLENGES FACED BY CHANNELS TV JOURNALISTS IN HEALTH AND ELECTION REPORTING

interpreting data for health and election reporting in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Three specific objectives guided the research: assessing primary barriers to accessing reliable health and election-related data, examining how journalists interpret and verify data from various sources, and identifying the role of government agencies, independent organizations, and digital platforms in shaping data accessibility and interpretation. The theoretical framework employed Bourdieu's Field Theory and Gatekeeping Theory to understand power dynamics within the media field and information control mechanisms. A quantitative research design utilizing survey methodology was adopted. The study population comprised journalists at Channels Television Jos bureau, with a sample size of forty respondents determined using Krejcie and Morgan's formula. Thirty-eight questionnaires were successfully retrieved and analyzed. Findings revealed that systematic barriers significantly impair journalistic practice, with government agencies withholding information and political sensitivity emerging as primary obstacles. Journalists demonstrated professional commitment to verification despite facing technological and resource limitations. Trust patterns showed preference for independent and international organizations over government agencies as data sources. The study concluded that Channels TV journalists face substantial systemic challenges reflecting broader governance and transparency issues in Nigeria. Recommendations included establishing dedicated media liaison units in government agencies, enacting comprehensive freedom of information legislation, investing in advanced data analysis software, implementing comprehensive training programs, developing formal partnerships with independent organizations, and reforming government information sharing policies.