ABSTRACT
The
journalism profession has great impact on the individuals and society at large,
hence it is expected that its ethical principles be adhered to and
practitioners are to be guided by standards of professional practice that is
acceptable globally. Today, the reverse seems to be the case as there is much
gap between what is expected and what is practiced. It is on this premise that
this study undertakes an evaluation of the ethical challenges facing journalism
practice in south-south Nigeria with a focus on three randomly selected states:
Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states. Using the survey research design and the
questionnaire as the instrument for collecting data, the study found among 744
journalists that there are discrepancies in the internal and external factors
affecting journalism practice in Nigeria. It also found that managerial
incompetence poses a great challenge not just to the performance of journalists
based on ethical principles but also on the image of the journalism profession.
Hence, the researcher recommends amongst others that expert services should be
engaged in the evaluation of the journalism in Nigeria with respect to
profession standards of ethics and to ensure that the profession is up to date
on regular basis to meet the required standard based on professional best
practice.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Title page .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. i
Certification .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ii
Dedication .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. iii
Acknowledgements
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. iv
Table of
Contents.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. v
List of Tables .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. vii
Abstract .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. viii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION .. .. .. .. .. .. 1
1.1 Background
to the Study .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1
1.2 Statement
of the Problem .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4
1.3 Objectives
of the Study .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5
1.4 Research
Questions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5
1.5 Research
Hypotheses .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6
1.6 Significance
of the Study .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6
1.7 Operational
Definition…. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6
References .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW .. .. .. .. .. 10
2.1 Journalism Practice: The Nigerian Experience .. .. .. .. .. 10
2.2 Professionalism and Media Ethics .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14
2.3 Identity of a Professional Journalist .. .. .. .. .. .. 14
2.4 Freedom for the Media - Issues of Journalism Ethics in Nigeria
.. .. 15
2.5 How Appropriate are the Ethics of Journalism Practice in
Nigeria .. .. 20
2.6 The Media and Integrity .. .. .. .. .. .. 25
2.7 Problems of Ethics and Journalism In Nigeria .. .. .. .. .. 29
2.8 Remedies to the Challenges of Journalism Practice in Nigeria
.. .. .. 33
2.9 News commercialization, ethics and objectivity in journalism
practice in
Nigeria.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 34
2.10 Theoretical Framework .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 44
References .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 49
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
.. .. .. .. 51
3.1
Research Design .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 51
3.2
Population of Study .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 51
3.3
Sample and Sampling Techniques .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 52
3.4
Measuring Instrument .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 53
3.5
Validity and Reliability of Instrument .. .. .. .. .. .. 54
3.6
Method of Data Analysis .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 54
3.7
Limitation to the Methodology .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 54
References
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 55
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND
INTERPRETATION.. 56
4.1
Data Presentation and Analysis .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 56
4.2
Discussion of Findings.. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. 63
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 67
5.1 Summary .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 67
5.2 Conclusion .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 67
5.3 Recommendations .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 67
Bibliography .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 69
Appendix .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 72
List of Tables
Table 4.1: Extent of internal factors on
journalism practice in South-South zone of Nigeria
Table 4.2: The extent of external factors
influence on journalism practice
Table 4.3: Extent
of managerial incompetence influence on journalism practice in Nigeria
Table 4.4: Extent to which ethical challenges
and non professionalism effect journalism practice in Nigeria
Table
4.5 Mean relationship
between internal factors influence and the practice of journalism in Nigeria
Table
4.6 Mean relationship
between external factors influence and journalism practice in Nigeria
Table
4.7 Relationship
between managerial incompetence and practice of journalism in Nigeria
Table
4.8 Relationship
between ethical challenges and non-professionalism as it affects journalism
practice in south-south Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the
Study
Various professions the world over
have identity carved for themselves in which they depend on for pride. Some are
known for routine, some are famous for their unity of purpose salutation while
some are known for their esprit de corps. The Nigerian print media has taken a
new turn in this 21st century though a large percentage of print media
ownership is still in the private hands while government clung to monopoly of
the broadcast media is gradually giving way.
Notwithstanding, concern from the scholars’ perspective is more on the
issue of non-professionalism which is more rampart in journalism. It is not uncommon for politicians who have
no knowledge of journalism to establish one, two, three and even numerous media
houses purposely to prosecute their political ambition and sometimes
establishing such for financial gains.
The constitution of Nigeria
does not guarantee specific press freedom, it only guarantees freedom of
expression including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart
ideas and information. Several
professional bodies such as Law, Engineering, Accounting, Medicine, etc today
enjoy a high sense of respect because they are clearly identified and defined
by the Nigerian constitution, adhered to ethical values and governing rules. Ironically, journalism, which is widely seen
as the conscience of society is yet to be certified a profession, judging by
the yardstick on what a profession should be.
The practice of journalism in Nigeria has courted great controversies
especially in relation to ethical regulation and adherence to professional
precepts. Journalism is an esteemed
profession that has a lot to offer in the reformation of society; unfortunately
in Nigeria, it has become an all comers affair.
The former Abuja Bureau Chief
of the Tide Newspaper, Alloys Nweke, during the January 2008 Nigeria Union of
Journalists (NUJ) Summit in Port Harcourt, frowned at the numerous untrained
people bestriding the streets with pen and paper claiming to be
journalists. Nweke’s speech revealed that
the number of fake journalists in Nigerian society is higher than the real
practitioners, this is really painful and embarrassing because it depicts
journalists as beggars and irresponsible whereas, genuine Nigerian journalists
have remained in the forefront of democratic change and social re-ordering
through doggedness and abrasive posture.
Akinfeleye (1990) quoted an
American critic, Dean Rosco Pound who once wrote that every profession is
governed by certain rules, and the absence of such rules makes it a vocation
(Akinfeleye, 1990). For a very long time Nigerian scholars, professionals and
practitioners have argued as to whether journalism is a profession or not in
Nigeria. Some scholars and practitioners of journalism in Nigeria say
journalism is a trade, others say it is a craft or an occupation while the rest
simply say it is a vocation. According to Akinfeleye, (1990), the confusing
state of affairs as to whether journalism is a profession or not in Nigeria has
been partially brought about by the colonial rulers, particularly Britain where
until recently, journalism was regarded as “an unqualified profession”
(Akinfeleye, 1990).
In another development, every
profession is being governed by its ethics and code of conduct. The early and
the nationalist press were not governed by any formal ethics and code of
conduct. For example, editorial policies
didn’t exist, from the four paged, bilingual Iwe Iroyin to many paged Daily
Times. On ethics and code of conduct in
early Nigeria journalism practice, Udoakah & Nnadi, (2007) position that
there was no regulation in the profession and anything went through. This accounts for one of the reasons why up
till today, journalism in Nigeria is still not being seen as a profession, it
is an all-comers affair. Responsible regulation came with the ethical code of
the Nigeria Union of Journalists in 1962.
This was after the journalists have established themselves as trade
unionists on March 15, 1955. It started
with 12point functions and 12-point code for members.
Following this on May 21,
1961, the Nigerian Guild of Editors was inaugurated. Both NUJ and NGE in 1962
proclaimed 16-point code of ethics for journalism practice in Nigeria with all
fusing organizations in January 15, 1979 and signed the ethics and code of
conduct which was in operation before modification in 1998. The 1998 adopted code of ethics emphasizes: “the
publication of truth, the question of corruption, the question of free access
to news, the question of confidentiality, the publication of plagiarism and
errors of facts.” Colonia rulers in Nigeria and their succeeding
“Nigerian-Europeans” regarded journalism education as an unnecessary
undertaking. This view partly accounts for the reason why few decades ago, most
Nigeria universities did not offer any formal journalism training. Until recent
times, Nigerian journalists were being viewed as a bunch of dropouts who had
been rejected by other professions. This uncomplimentary view of journalism and
journalists in Nigeria has made the profession, trade, craft, or vocation, very
unprestigeous (Akpan, 2000).
It has now become a truism
that low literacy rate contributes to a low degree of journalism training and
also to a low standard of journalistic performance. Journalism profession has suffered serious
setbacks in its developmental processes in Nigeria because; Nigeria nation has
not given priority to degree programmes in journalism. Instead graduates from
other disciplines such as Political science, Economics, Sociology, English etc
are being given on-the-job training in journalism and these non- professionals
do cause serious damage to this noble profession. Just of recent, the immediate ex-NUJ
President, Akwu in Port Harcourt, after a deliberation on the state of the
profession submitted that journalists should ensure strict adherence to the
ethics of the profession in order to change the perception of the world about
them. Making comment on the issue of
non-professionalism in Nigeria journalism, Gboyega (1989), frowned at the
inability of the very many press barons in Nigeria to make deliberate efforts
to transform journalism in the country to an enviable profession that can
compete favourably in its organizational structure, effectiveness, thoroughness
and virility as in other professions like Legal, Medical, Engineering and
Banking professions. In view of all
these, this research seminar will critically examine some issues and aim at
providing solutions to them.
Also, the
condemnation of journalists by those not favoured by news reports is always
total. Few people are objective in their assessment of journalists’ performance
when they are directly involved in a report. They are stingy with praises when
due but generous with condemnation. They discard the principle of cause and
effect which basically explains the relationship between the cause of a story
and the story itself. However, the journalism profession occasionally
experiences credibility problem, which hinges on lack of adherence to its
ethical demands by practitioners. This is undesirable, though, as a good
relationship between the media and its audience is an imperative if society
must grow.
It is
noteworthy that the integrity of the media has hardly ever been on the line
when issues of national importance are involved. Challenges come mainly when
issues revolve around individuals or group and, at that point, the media, in
its entirety, is overwhelmingly castigated over the perceived offence or
professional misconduct of few practitioners.
1.2 Statement of the
Problem
Journalism practice in Nigeria
is increasingly becoming difficult to situate within the mainstream of what
journalism ought to be in the real sense of its professional practice as guided
by its ethics. The concept of citizen journalism has further compounded the
problem of properly defining the profession based on its ethical principles.
Today, there are internal and
external factors that pose a great challenge to the practice of journalism as a
profession. Arguably, studies have shown that the absence of a prescribed
qualifying test has made it difficult to moderate the standard of journalism
practice in Nigeria (Adaja, 2012; Oso, 2012).
The self-censorship syndrome,
inducement through brown envelope, pressure from individuals, groups and
organizations, laws and administrative decisions, poor remuneration for
journalists, absence of technical know-how amongst others, have all combined to
make the journalism profession a mockery of its standard of practice.
Certain inadequacies among the
regulating bodies and non-professional filtration of yellow journalism practice
and other unprofessional approaches to the profession have reduced and
threatened the code of ethics upon which the journalism profession is expected
to thrive.
It is on this premise that
this study sought to investigate the ethical challenges of journalism practice
in Nigeria, using the south-south states of Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states as
focus areas, with a view to providing valuable solutions to the ugly trend.
1.3 Objectives of the
Study
This study aims at evaluating
the ethical challenges facing journalism practice in south-south Nigeria with a
focus on Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States. Specifically, it seeks:
(1)
To find out the extent to
which internal factors influence journalism practice in south-south Nigeria.
(2)
To ascertain the extent to
which external factors influence journalism practice in south-south Nigeria.
(3)
To determine how managerial
incompetence influences journalism practice in south-south Nigeria.
(4)
To find out how ethical
challenges and non-professionalism affects journalism practice in south-south
Nigeria.
1.4 Research Questions
The following research
questions are formulated to guide the study:
(1)
To what extent do the internal
factors influence journalism practice in South South Zone of Nigeria
(2)
To what extent do the external
factors influence journalism practice in South-South Zone of Nigeria
(3)
To what extent does managerial
incompetence or otherwise influence journalism practice in South-South Zone of
Nigeria
(4)
How have ethical challenges
and non-professionalism affect journalism practice in South-South Zone of
Nigeria
1.5 Research Hypotheses
1)
There is no significant
relationship between internal factors influence and journalism practice in
Nigeria
2)
There is no significant
relationship between external factors influence and journalism practice in
Nigeria.
3)
There is no significant
relationship between managerial incompetence influence and the practice of
journalism in Nigeria
4)
There is no significant
relationship between ethical challenges and non-professionalism effect on
journalism practice in Nigeria.
1.6 Significance of the
Study
This research is timely and it
is imperative in the sense that ethical journalism practice must be observed to
boost the strength of professionalism in Nigeria.
However, the research is good
for administrators, government functionaries, legislators, House of
Representative members and State Assemblies, State governors, Counselors, Local
Government Chairmen and public servants as it provides a prescribed qualifying
test that helps to moderate the relationship between journalists and
representatives of these bodies.
It is significant to the news
and media house owners, journalists, firms and business executives,
organisations and corporate business, individuals and the general public. This
is because it provides the needed impetus to boost professional standards in journalism
practice based on its ethical principles.
1.7 Operational
Definition of Terms
The following terms are operationalized as used in this study:
Ethics: Set of concepts and principles
that guide behaviours and conducts of a particular group of people (i.e.
Journalists). They are also seen as motivation based on ideas of right and
wrong.
Journalism: The process of gathering,
processing, and disseminating of information to mass heterogeneous audience
through the mass media. It also entails reporting or photographing or editing
news stories for the media.
Practice: A way of operation that
is customary. It is the exercise of a profession (i.e. Journalism Profession).
Challenges: Demanding situations
that hinder the operations of journalists based on their principles of behavior
and conduct of operation.
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