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
- Introduction
- Theoretical Framework
- Related Literature on Professional and Journalism Ethics
- Corruption in Nigeria: Conception, Perspectives and Effects
- Corruption and Bad Leadership as the Bane of Unethical and Subjective Journalism
- Good Leadership and the Promotion of National Development and Ethical Journalism
- Conclusion
- Recommendation
- References
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the pervasive corruption and bad leadership within the Nigerian press, exploring how these factors contribute to unethical and subjective journalism. It examines the consequences of this compromised journalism on public trust and confidence in media outlets. The paper also calls for a change in the practices of both the press and the government to restore ethical standards.
- The impact of corruption and bad leadership on Nigerian journalism.
- The prevalence of unethical and subjective practices in the Nigerian press.
- The erosion of public trust due to compromised journalistic ethics.
- The role of press freedom in promoting ethical journalism.
- The need for reform within both the media and the government.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: The introduction establishes the prevalence of unethical and subjective journalism in Nigeria, directly linked to widespread corruption and poor leadership. It highlights the recalcitrance of those involved despite concerns from the public and ethical journalists. The practice of "brown envelope" journalism, where bribes influence news coverage, is discussed as a major factor undermining objectivity and fairness, particularly during elections. The lack of press freedom and the control exerted by the government on media outlets are identified as key obstacles to ethical reporting. The chapter lays the groundwork for a deeper exploration into the theoretical underpinnings and the literature on journalistic ethics.
Theoretical Framework: This chapter outlines the theoretical frameworks guiding the analysis: Utilitarianism, the Absolute theory, and the Objective theory of ethics. Utilitarianism emphasizes the greatest good for the greatest number, while the Absolute theory advocates for universally applicable moral principles. The Objective theory champions rational and reasoned ethical decision-making. These theories are applied to assess the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists in Nigeria, highlighting the need for objectivity, fairness, and adherence to professional standards. The chapter argues that compromising ethics leads to chaos and undermines the credibility of the profession.
Related Literature on Professional and Journalism Ethics: This chapter reviews existing literature on professional ethics in journalism. It discusses the interconnectedness of ethics with the various roles within the press (owner, editor, reporter, etc.). The chapter emphasizes the role of journalistic ethics in guiding journalists in determining right and wrong actions, underscoring the importance of duty to self and others, and the significance of credibility in maintaining public trust. It also addresses the necessity of professional codes of conduct to regulate behavior and foster accountability within the media industry.
Keywords
Corruption, Bad leadership, Unethical journalism, Subjective journalism, Press freedom, Nigeria, Brown envelope, Media ethics, Professional ethics, Public trust, Political influence.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Unethical Journalism in Nigeria
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper analyzes the impact of pervasive corruption and bad leadership on Nigerian journalism, exploring how these factors contribute to unethical and subjective reporting. It examines the consequences on public trust and advocates for reform within both the media and the government to restore ethical standards.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the impact of corruption and bad leadership on Nigerian journalism; the prevalence of unethical and subjective practices; the erosion of public trust; the role of press freedom in promoting ethical journalism; and the need for reform within both the media and the government. The concept of "brown envelope" journalism, where bribes influence news coverage, is also a central theme.
What theoretical frameworks are used in the analysis?
The paper utilizes Utilitarianism, the Absolute theory, and the Objective theory of ethics to assess the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists in Nigeria. Utilitarianism focuses on the greatest good for the greatest number, the Absolute theory on universally applicable moral principles, and the Objective theory on rational and reasoned ethical decision-making.
What is the role of press freedom in this context?
The paper highlights the lack of press freedom and government control over media outlets as significant obstacles to ethical reporting in Nigeria. It emphasizes the crucial role of press freedom in promoting ethical journalism and fostering a more responsible and trustworthy media landscape.
What are the chapter summaries?
The Introduction sets the stage, highlighting the problem of unethical journalism linked to corruption and poor leadership. The Theoretical Framework chapter outlines the ethical theories used for analysis. The Related Literature chapter reviews existing literature on professional and journalism ethics. The remaining chapters delve deeper into the specifics of corruption's influence and the need for reform. Specific chapter summaries are included in the provided document excerpt.
What are the key words associated with this research?
Key words include: Corruption, Bad leadership, Unethical journalism, Subjective journalism, Press freedom, Nigeria, Brown envelope, Media ethics, Professional ethics, Public trust, Political influence.
What is the overall objective of the paper?
The paper aims to analyze the negative influence of corruption and poor leadership on the ethics of Nigerian journalism, highlighting the consequences for public trust and advocating for systemic changes to improve ethical standards within the media and government.
What are some examples of unethical journalism practices discussed?
The paper discusses "brown envelope" journalism, where bribes influence news coverage, as a major factor undermining objectivity and fairness, particularly during elections.
What recommendations are likely to be made in the paper (based on the preview)?
Based on the preview, the paper is likely to recommend reforms within both the media and the government to address corruption and promote ethical standards in Nigerian journalism. Specific recommendations would be found within the full text.
- Citation du texte
- Odey Simon Robert (Auteur), Eric Ndoma Besong (Auteur), 2017, Effects of Corruption and Bad Leadership on Journalism in Nigeria, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/354371
