The pervasive corruption and unceasing bad leadership in and among the Nigerian press have for long now ushered in various forms of professional compromise such as unethical and subjective journalism. The press, especially their leaders, having been influenced negatively by the macrocosmic institutionalised corruption and bad leadership of the political elite and their like, are becoming deeply immense in these nefarious misdeeds and unethical and subjective journalism. Consequently, the masses have lost confidence in them, and receive media contents with outright contempt and dissatisfaction.
This paper thus calls for a change on the part of the press and the government, for which the masses would follow suit. Although the paper relies more on the secondary sources, the library print materials, controlled interview, observation and intuition of the primary sources of data collation were also involved. It is approached qualitatively, descriptively and objectively with the text-content analysis too.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theoretical Framework
3. Related Literature on Professional and Journalism Ethics
4. Corruption in Nigeria: Conception, Perspectives and Effects
5. Corruption and Bad Leadership as the Bane of Unethical and Subjective Journalism
6. Good Leadership and the Promotion of National Development and Ethical Journalism
7. Conclusion
8. Recommendation
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper examines the pervasive impact of systemic corruption and poor leadership on the Nigerian press, arguing that these external pressures foster unethical and subjective journalistic practices. The research investigates how media integrity is compromised by political influence and "brown envelope" journalism, ultimately proposing pathways for professional reorientation and the restoration of ethical standards in the Nigerian media sector.
- The intersection of macro-level institutional corruption and micro-level media compromise.
- Theoretical analysis of utilitarian, absolute, and objective theories of ethics in journalism.
- The role of "brown envelope" syndrome in news distortion and loss of public confidence.
- The correlation between good governance, leadership, and the promotion of ethical journalism.
- Individual and systemic strategies for sanitizing the media and upholding professional integrity.
Excerpt from the Book
Introduction
In spite of the fact that most of the masses and a few of the ethical and objective press have been worried by the high level of unethical and subjective journalism practise of the press, following the pervasive corruption and ageing bad leadership in Nigeria, those involved seem to remain recalcitrant forever. The situation degenerates every day. The Press, who are deeply involved in corrupt practices, like their political bosses, are bent to this scourge and thus throw away their professional ethics and rather resort to subjective and unethical journalism. They tell lies and even incite, all just to make money out of media contents. Most of them are not honest. Such press dread doing what is right in order to be favoured by their dubious bosses who would reward them only when they do the unusual that favours them. Most of the press are known for collection of brown envelope.
Brown envelope syndrome negates all the basics of ethical and objective journalism in Nigeria and the like nations, such as fairness, objectivity, equity and balance that are required for ethical and objective (empirical) journalism/broadcasting. Brown envelope hampers the practise of ethics and good leadership/governance. It brings about pervasive corruption. A journalist must not accept bribe (brown envelope) as a reward for publishing or suppressing news or comments. Certain fake news is aired; while genuine ones are withheld once brown envelope deal transpires. Accepting brown envelope makes news susceptible to abuse by interest groups. Brown envelope leads to news distortion. During elections, in particular, brown envelope from worthless aspirants make the media paint them good, singing their praises (Ekwo, 1990; Lai, 2000; Ogbuoshi, 2005; Okioya and Adedowole, 2011). Most members of the audiences of most state-own media have lost confidence in them and no longer want them for any news because of their praise-singing for worthless incumbent leading state officials.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter highlights the crisis of unethical and subjective journalism in Nigeria, driven by systemic corruption and the "brown envelope" syndrome, which erodes public trust.
Theoretical Framework: This section adopts utilitarian, absolute, and objective theories to establish a foundational understanding of journalistic ethics and the necessity of rational, duty-bound behavior.
Related Literature on Professional and Journalism Ethics: This chapter explores how professional ethics serve as a standard for behavior and the protection of the public against the unmitigated power of the press.
Corruption in Nigeria: Conception, Perspectives and Effects: The text analyzes how systemic corruption permeates all aspects of Nigerian life, leading to institutional decay, economic stagnation, and the subversion of governance.
Corruption and Bad Leadership as the Bane of Unethical and Subjective Journalism: This chapter details how political corruption and poor leadership create an environment where media integrity is sacrificed for private gain and political influence.
Good Leadership and the Promotion of National Development and Ethical Journalism: This section discusses the interdependent relationship between good governance and a free, ethical press that serves national development.
Conclusion: The author concludes that while the media situation in Nigeria is dire, a transition to ethical and incorruptible journalism is possible through commitment, reorientation, and a rejection of corrupt political influence.
Recommendation: This chapter suggests policy measures, including the strict penalization of corrupt journalistic practices and the redefinition of press freedom to ensure accountability.
Keywords
Corruption, Bad leadership, Bane, Unethical, Subjective, Journalism, Nigeria, Media Ethics, Professionalism, Governance, Accountability, Press Freedom, Brown Envelope, Institutionalized Corruption, Democratic Development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the critical intersection between Nigeria’s pervasive political corruption and the resultant decline in journalistic ethics, characterized by subjectivity and unethical reporting practices.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Central themes include the "brown envelope" syndrome, the institutionalization of corruption within government and the media, the importance of professional ethics, and the necessity of good leadership for national development.
What is the primary research question or goal?
The goal is to analyze how macro-level corruption and bad leadership influence the micro-level behavior of journalists and to identify strategies for restoring professional integrity and objectivity in the Nigerian media.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The paper utilizes a qualitative and descriptive approach, relying primarily on secondary sources, library print materials, observation, and text content analysis.
What core topics are covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body examines the theoretical basis of ethics, the history and effects of corruption in Nigeria, specific constraints on press freedom, and the crucial role of the media in fostering a healthy democratic society.
How would you characterize the key terminology?
The terminology is defined by a critical view of socio-political conditions, utilizing concepts like "institutionalized corruption," "brown envelope syndrome," "social responsibility theory," and "press freedom" to describe the media environment.
How does the author define the "brown envelope" syndrome?
The author defines it as the act of accepting bribes or rewards in exchange for publishing, suppressing, or distorting news, which fundamentally negates the principles of fairness, objectivity, and balance in journalism.
What is the significance of the "social responsibility theory" for the author?
The author uses this theory to emphasize that the media operates under a public trust, carrying a mandatory obligation to the society to be truthful, accurate, and fair, rather than serving narrow political interests.
What solution does the author offer for the Nigerian press crisis?
The author advocates for individual and collective attitudinal change, the strict enforcement of ethical standards, and the emergence of "ethical, incorruptible" journalists who prioritize professional duty over fear or favor.
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- Odey Simon Robert (Autor:in), Eric Ndoma Besong (Autor:in), 2017, Effects of Corruption and Bad Leadership on Journalism in Nigeria, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/354371
