LingLit Journal
Vol 7 No 2 (2026): Linglit Journal: Scientific Journal of Linguistics and Literature, June

Nigerian Journalist's Strategies for Overcoming Language Barriers in International News Reporting: A Study of Channels Television

Oluwafisayo Ogunyemi (Department of Mass Communication, Caleb University, Imota Lagos State)
Fadeyi Oluwadamilola Dorcas (Glorious Vision University, Ogwa Edo State)



Article Info

Publish Date
13 Jul 2026

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.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

linglit

Publisher

Subject

Description

LingLit Journal: Scientific Journal for Linguistics and Literature is an international journal using a peer-reviewed process published in December, March, June and September by Britain International for Academic Research Publisher (BIAR-Publisher). LingLit welcomes research papers in linguistics, ...