Ethical Issues in news coverage in Nigeria

AFRREV IJAH: An International Journal of Arts and Humanities

Ever since Philosophers developed and devoted themselves to the study of why human beings behave the way they do, as well as the results of such behaviours, the concept of ethics has continued to grow not only in prominence, but in complexity and controversy. Being a public-spherical profession in which truth, fairness, sense of duty and consideration of possible consequences combine to determine the course of a given action; journalism will continue to remain at the centre of such complex and controvertible discourses for a long time. Basically, the objective of this paper is to research into the ethical dilemmas that hamstring the practice of journalism in Nigeria. Relying on secondary data, this paper radically explores the subject matter vis-à-vis the major reasons that orchestrate journalists' vulnerability to such dilemmas. In conclusion, the paper submits that the application of the 'SAD' formula is a panacea to resolving the various ethical dilemmas encountered by Nigerian journalists in the day-today discharge of their responsibilities.

This paper focuses on the arising shift in the ethical values of journalism among the Nigerian journalists. It discourses the various ethical schools of thought as they relate to journalism practice, showing their strength and weaknesses. The paper observes and strongly notes that, tabloidization or sensational journalism is taken-over serious and decent journalism practice. It warns professional journalists about the impending dangers of this value-eroding trend as it dangerous for a developing country like Nigeria. The content of the media is being trivialized. Serious issues in public affairs and politics that contribute positively to the growth of the nation are given little attention compared to soft news, entertainment and gossips which are now getting more popular in the Nigerian media space. The paper calls for journalists' self ethical appraisal and increase in ethical professional practice, while it warns media practitioners of the gangers of yellow journalism. These positive shifts will further help in regaining the eroding confidence of the people in the media and as well make the Nigerian and global media more respectable.

Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies

Over the years, the question of unethical practices among journalists in Africa and Nigeria in particular is such that has continued to attract attention and generate issues of various sorts. Despite the legal framework and regulatory bodies such as Nigerian Press Council (NPC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other professional associations to checkmate the excesses of journalists, the efforts seem unyielding as these practices continue to generate multiple images about journalism and journalists alike before the Nigerian publics. Rather than enjoying public trust and confidence, skepticism and uncertainty have dominated the Nigerian public sphere regarding journalists. Hence, this paper takes a theoretical approach to examine the question of unethical practices among Nigerian journalists, giving a conceptual clarification and historical framework in order to make the paper a scholarly piece.

Over the years, the question of unethical practices among journalists in Africa and Nigeria in particular is such that has continued to attract attention and generate issues of various sorts.

This study on Media Ethics Professionalism and Coverage of the Apo Six Killings investigated whether the media followed professional ethics of journalism practice as a benchmark in their coverage of Apo six killings. The study adopted the survey method of research while the instrument of data collection was the questionnaire. The survey established that contrary to the widely held view that Nigerian Media indulge in unethical conducts in news reportage, they were applauded for their professionalism. The study concluded that the role of media ethics in journalism practice in Nigeria and the entire world cannot be overemphasized. Consequently, it was recommended among others that journalists should continue to maintain high level of professional standards in the discharge of their duties.

Theoretical Article on the concept of ethics and journalism practice in Nigeria for Mass Communication Students, 2019

This article contains the challenges facing journalist in the field of reporting, and most importantly the internal and external pressure they faces in the course of carrying out their professional duties. Also, the provisions of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) on the code of journalistic conducts. Data gathered for this resrarch was based on the secondary method of data collection which involve the intense use of library and other documented sources.

1989

A study examined Nigerian journalists' self-reported perceptions of editorial ethics and of the role of editorials in national development, comparing data with an earlier content analysis of the ethics-of newspaper editorials. Subjects, 348 full-time, salaried Nigerian journalists on nine national newspapers in two newspaper ownership groups, private and government, answered a self-administered questionnaire. Results indicated that: (1) the private and government journalists, as newspaper groups, showed more ethical similarities than differences, but between-group differences were not apparent in any of the three overall measures of utilitarian, deontological, and situation ethics; (2) differences in th. mean scores of the three measures of ethics for both newspaper groups were clearly consistent With the results of an earlier content-analytical study of the editorial ethics of the newspapers that the sample journalists in the present study represent; and (3) the preference for utilitarian ethics was higher than for deontological and situation ethics. Findings of the study question the implications for national development of the simple, traditional distinction, between government and private newspapers in sub-Saharan Africa. (Four notes, seven tables of dat , and one figure are included, and 61 references are appended.) (MS)

The study was undertaken to assess the degree of ethics in Ghana’s media landscape by surveying some journalists in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. In all, a sample of forty (40) journalists from four (4) media firms and fifteen (15) Master of Arts in Journalism students who are already in the field of study was used. The findings show that media personnel lack in-depth knowledge on various codes of ethics and they do not diligently adhere to the various codes of ethics grounded in the ethos of Ghanaian journalism. The honest responses given by these journalists show that regulatory bodies and other media professional associations in Ghana still have a lot of work to do in making sure that the practice of journalism is done in accordance with the highest ethical standards.

This paper content analyses the same leading story of a single day published by major newspapers in Nigeria. It finds out that the content could infuse an ambivalent feeling of what was supposed to be fact has been reduced to fabrication, concoctions or even guess work. The Paper finds out that many of the Nigerian newspapers are unethically carried away from truthful and factual report of an event by sensationalism and a morbid search for customers in the competitive market place of information dissemination. The paper, therefore, concludes that by attempting to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of published stories it could be revealed that our newspapers are not being reservoirs for dependable data sources and such recommends proper training and ethically compliant journalism practices in the country.