This paper undertakes two tasks. First, it critically examines conceptual
problematique surrounding the concepts of the state and the media in literature, and
second, it empirically teases out state –media relations in Nigeria with the objective of
understanding the character of the relations. Drawing mainly from secondary data
sources, it contends that while there are conceptual ambiguities revolving around the
concepts of the state and the media, there had also been uneasiness in state-media
relations in Nigeria which cannot be divorced from the authoritarian character of the
Nigerian State. It recommends, among others, the deconstruction and decolonization of
the meddlesome Nigerian State.