ETHICAL PROBLEMS FACED BY JOURNALISTS IN NIGERIA AND THE ROLE OF MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS IN SUSTAINING PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

Authors

  • BANJO ABOSEDE OLUBUNMI, Ph.D. Mass Communication Department, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro.
  • ODUWOBI ESOSA RITA Mass Communication Department, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro.

Abstract

Ethics are significant because they outline appropriate standards of conduct for journalists. This paper examines the ethical problems faced by journalists in Nigeria and the role of media organizations in sustaining professional standards. The population of this study are journalists and media professionals from various media houses in Lagos State. A total number of One Hundred and Fifty (150) journalists were selected using purposive sampling technique. The study made use of a questionnaire as a research instrument. The findings of the study revealed that journalists in Lagos adhere to media laws and ethics (X = 3.81, SD = 2.74) and journalists in Lagos usually break media laws and ethics (X = 3.28, SD = 2.09). Also, journalists may be offered bribes or face pressure to avoid reporting on corruption cases, especially those involving powerful individuals or institutions (X = 3.48, SD = 2.19), journalists may encounter challenges in having access to accurate information and official data which may hinder them in reporting accurate information (X = 3.19, SD = 2.29) and corruption is one the factors that contribute to ethical problems in journalism (X = 3.23, SD = 2.05). The study recommends that journalists should be trained on media ethics and moral of conducts.

Keywords:

Ethical Problems, Journalists, Media Ethics, Media Organizations, Professional Standards

Published

31-10-2023

How to Cite

BANJO ABOSEDE OLUBUNMI, Ph.D., & ODUWOBI ESOSA RITA. (2023). ETHICAL PROBLEMS FACED BY JOURNALISTS IN NIGERIA AND THE ROLE OF MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS IN SUSTAINING PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS. International Journal of Humanities, Literature and Art Research, 2(1). Retrieved from https://mediterraneanpublications.com/mejhlar/article/view/225