Assessment Of Code Of Ethics And Professionalism Among Uyo Based Journalist In Nigeria

Project and Seminar Material for Mass Communication

Abstract

This study was carried out on the assessment of the code of ethics and professionalism among Uyo based journalist in Nigeria using Akwa Ibom Broadcasting corporation (AKBC) as a case study. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprise of journalist of Akwa Ibom Broadcasting corporation (AKBC), Uyo. In determining the sample size, the researcher purposefully selected 59 respondents and 50 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables, and mean scores tables. While the hypotheses were tested using chi-square statistical tool. The result of the findings reveals that the ethical codes of conduct in journalism practice consist of truth and accuracy, independence, fairness and impartiality, and accountability.The study also revealed that the journalists have adequate knowledge of the code of ethics of journalism practice. Furthermore, the knowledge of journalists on the ethical code influences journalism practice. Therefore, it is recommended that policies that the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) should effectively ensure that journalism apply the codes of ethics in their day to day activities, publications, etc and not just know them, and review the codes of ethics as at when due, to ensure that the journalist work in a favorable settings for the effective applicability of the codes for professional journalism practice.

Table of Content

Chapter One:

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objective of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypotheses
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Limitation of the Study
1.9 Definition of Terms
1.10 Organisations of the Study

Chapter Two:

Review of Literature

2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review

Chapter Three:

Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population of the Study
3.3 Sample Size Determination
3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure
3.5 Research Instrument and Administration
3.6 Method of Data Collection
3.7 Method of Data Analysis
3.8 Validity of the Study
3.9 Reliability of the Study
3.10 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four:

Data Presentation and Analysis

4.0 Data Presentation
4.1 Analysis of Data
4.2 Answering Research Questions
4.3 Test of Hypotheses

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Introduction
5.2 Summary
5.3 Conclusion
5.4 Recommendation
References
APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Professional journalists in Nigeria face difficult and delicate ethical challenges involving decisions on both their own ethical conduct and that of the several people with whom they inform. This work intends to assess ethics as key to sound professionalism. Ethics is the principle and value a person (or group of persons) uses to govern the activities they perform and decisions they take. In an organization, thus, a code of ethics is a set of principles that guide the organization in its programmes, policies, and decisions for the business. The ethical philosophy an organization uses to conduct business can affect the reputation.

According to Fab-Ukozor (2011, p. 294), the evolutionary phase of the struggle towards professional development in journalism practice shows that starting from the time of Iwe Irohin and West African Pilot, to the period of Daily Times marked an era of non-professional practice. Hence, it was the need to improve and enhance professional practice that inspired the Daily Times of Nigeria to establish the Times Training School in the early 70’s. This was followed by the introduction of the Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ) who with Daily Times of Nigeria Training wing did their best to impact basic reporting skills to Journalists. These efforts which came before the establishment of Mass Communication and Journalism departments in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions churned out crop of Nigerian journalists between late 70’s and early 80’s who could meet with the information needs of the mass media audience in the country.

The mass media are faced with the challenge of breaking even and being financially strong enough to be independent and to withstand both internal and external influences that have always been the bane of professionalism in the media. Financial independence is sine qua non for any media institution which can stand the test of time and uphold the ethics of profession. On the other hand, as an institution bestowed with the responsibility of protecting public interest, the mass media strive to play this noble role which the society bestowed on them. That is to be socially responsible (Nkwachi, 2015, p. 219). Therefore, with the entry recently of highly educated professionals, media in Nigeria have insisted on certain ethical standards and accountability on the part of owners and the journalists. This means adhering to those codes ethics that will enhance professionalism. It also means being guided by a code of conduct that ensures professional integrity.

There is no doubt that effective and efficient practice of journalism lies in the principles of ethical values which set to regulate its activities towards professionalism. Every organization or profession is basically guided and directed by a set of moral principles which oversee its general conduct. The worrisome state of media practitioners’ attitude in the conduct of their activities necessitated the emergence of various regulatory bodies in order to curb the excesses of media practitioners (Tsegyu & Asemah, 2014, p. 10). These are the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) and the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). Later, a more comprehensive code of ethics for journalists was formulated in 1998 by the Nigeria Press Organization (NPO), comprising the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Newspaper Proprietors of Nigeria (NPN), Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Nigeria Press Council (NPC) (Egbon, as cited in Tsegyu & Asemah, 2014, p. 10).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Every profession, including the journalism profession has guiding rules for the practice of the profession. Therefore, journalists, the world over, have to fulfil these rules as to meet the expectations and moral obligations as bestowed on it by society. Mass media practice in Nigeria is generally controlled by the same ethics, as such all the mass media professionals in the country are guided by the same code of ethics.

Unfortunately, a cursory observation indicates that certain journalists in Rivers State who are seen as professionals seem to operate and practise outside the bounds of the code of ethics. Thus, some journalists in Rivers State write stories to express their sentiment and involvement; foul and strong languages are published in the media which is a problem to this paper. In some instances, some journalists also incur avoidable problems to their organisation on issues relating to ethics.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to assess of code of ethics and professionalism among Uyo based journalist in Nigeria. Specifically, this study seeks to:

Identify the ethical codes of conduct in journalism practice?
Ascertain whether journalists have adequate knowledge of the code of ethics of journalism practice.
Determine whether the knowledge of journalists on the ethical code influences journalism practice.
Examine the extent to which journalists adhere to the applicable code of ethics of journalism practice.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will be answered in this study;

What are the ethical codes of conduct in journalism practice?
Does journalists have adequate knowledge of the code of ethics of journalism practice?
Does the knowledge of journalists on the ethical code influences journalism practice?
To what extent do journalists adhere to the applicable code of ethics of journalism practice?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses will validate this study:

H01: Journalists do not have adequate knowledge of the code of ethics of journalism practice.
H02: The knowledge of journalists on the ethical code does not influence journalism practice.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study focuses on the assessment of code of ethics and professionalism among Uyo based journalist in Nigeria.

This study will be of benefit to the media industry as it will refresh the knowledge and use of ethics and professionalism among Uyo based journalist in Nigeria.

This study is significant to the Nigerian broadcasting commission, as it will make them improve in the ways that will make the profession trust worthy.

This study is also significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study is focused on assessing the code of ethics and professionalism among Uyo based journalist in Nigeria. The study will be carried in Akwa Ibom Broadcasting corporation (AKBC).

1.8 Limitations of the Study

This study was constrained by a number of factors which are as follows:

Just like any other research, ranging from unavailability of needed accurate materials on the topic under study, inability to get data

Financial constraint , was faced by the researcher ,in getting relevant materials and in printing and collation of questionnaires

Time factor: time factor pose another constraint since having to shuttle between writing of the research and also engaging in other academic work making it uneasy for the researcher

1.9 Definition of Terms

Journalism: Journalism is the production and distribution of reports on the interaction of events, facts, ideas, and people that are the “news of the day” and that informs society to at least some degree. The word, a noun, applies to the occupation, the methods of gathering information, and the organizing literary styles.

1.10 Organization of the Study

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, abnd selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations:

5.1 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings on the assessment of the code of ethics and professionalism among Uyo based journalist in Nigeria using Akwa Ibom Broadcasting corporation (AKBC) as a case study. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.

5.2 Summary of the Study

In this study, our focus was on the assessment of the code of ethics and professionalism among Uyo based journalist in Nigeria using Akwa Ibom Broadcasting corporation (AKBC) as a case study.The study is was specifically carried out to; identify the ethical codes of conduct in journalism practice, ascertain whether journalists have adequate knowledge of the code of ethics of journalism practice, determine whether the knowledge of journalists on the ethical code influences journalism practice, and examine the extent to which journalists adhere to the applicable code of ethics of journalism practice.

The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 50 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent were journalist of Akwa Ibom Broadcasting corporation (AKBC), Uyo.

5.3 Conclusions

Based on the findings of this study, the researcher concluded that;

The ethical codes of conduct in journalism practice consist of truth and accuracy, independence, fairness and impartiality, and accountability.
The journalists have adequate knowledge of the code of ethics of journalism practice.
The knowledge of journalists on the ethical code influences journalism practice.
The extent to which journalists adhere to the applicable code of ethics of journalism practice is high.

5.4 Recommendation

Based on the responses obtained, the researcher proffers the following recommendations:

The Nigerian Union of Journalists should endeavour to create more awareness on the code for professional journalism practice in Nigeria.
Journalists should strive to increase their knowledge of the code of conduct of the profession as it will give them enough room to practice within the ambit of the profession.
Regulatory bodies of the journalism profession should endeavor to see that the fundamental objectives and philosophies of the profession are brought to the practical stage and strictly adhered to by all to promote integrity for the profession.
The Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) should effectively ensure that journalism apply the codes of ethics in their day to day activities, publications, etc and not just know them, and review the codes of ethics as at when due, to ensure that the journalist work in a favorable settings for the effective applicability of the codes for professional journalism practice.

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