| Abstract: |
Entrepreneurial journalism represents a modern shift in the media landscape, where journalists adopt a proactive, business-savvy approach to their profession, often involving innovative storytelling, self-directed projects and diversified revenue streams. However, studies on entrepreneurship journalism in Nigeria are scarce. This study examined the perceived influence of entrepreneurship journalism practice on unemployment trends within the media industry in Benin metropolis. The research objectives were to find out the extent of entrepreneurship journalism practice in reducing unemployment among journalists in Benin metropolis; investigate the perceived impact of entrepreneurship journalism on unemployment trends in the Benin media industry; and identify key factors influencing media professionals' decisions to pursue entrepreneurship in Benin. The study was anchored on the Social Cognitive Theory. A descriptive survey research design was employed, and a questionnaire was used as the instrument of data collection. The total population of journalists (527) registered with the Edo State Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benin chapter served as population of the study. Census sampling was adopted for the study and the sample size was (527). Data were presented in frequency tables and analysed using simple percentage. The findings revealed that entrepreneurship journalism has significantly reduced joblessness among media professionals in Benin, positioning it as a vital remedy to the pervasive challenge of unemployment in the local media industry. The practice of entrepreneurship journalism has become widely accepted and is an increasingly common career path for journalists in Benin, suggesting a growing embrace of entrepreneurial mindsets and activities. Furthermore, the study identified key drivers for media professionals to engage in entrepreneurship, including access to funding and support, the desire for financial independence and job security, as well as the prospects for innovation and creative expression. |
