An appraisal of adherence of Nigerian media to ethical standards in practice

Abstract The role of the media and its influence on society bestows on them some responsibilities that is often guided by ethical codes or standards of practice. The extent to which media professionals in Nigeria adhere to ethical codes or standards of practice is examined in this study. Using quantitative method and anchored on the Social Responsibility theory, this study surveyed 143 media professionals working in Lagos and who are card carrying members of the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists. Findings revealed that respondents had a good level of knowledge, and the right disposition towards ethical standards. Findings also revealed that the level of compliance is low. The study concludes that the Nigerian media industry is not conducive to ethical media practice, due to a number of factors, including poor remuneration practices that affect Nigerian media professionals. The study therefore recommends the institution of stiffer self-regulation mechanisms covering both media owners and media professionals as the first step towards reversing the trend. Key Words: Media, Journalists, Ethics, Codes, Standards Introduction JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 15, No. 1, April 2023, pp. 157-168. © Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON). About the authors * Charles Chinedu Onwunali, Ph.D. is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. His main research and teaching interests include Advertising and Consumer Rights Protection, Advertising Ethics and Public Policy, the role of Gender in Social, Political and Economic Developments and Media History. ** Joseph Adepoju Tejumaiye, Ph.D. is a Professor and Head, Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. teaches Mass Communication at the University of Lagos Nigeria. He is an expert in Political Communication with bias in the use of Integrated Marketing Communication, New Media and Social Media in Political Advertising. *** Shaibu Husseini, Ph.D. is a Senior Teaching/Research Fellow in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria and Head of the Strategic Communication Department of the National Troupe of Nigeria, a parastatal of the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Information and Culture. **** Solomon Tommy is a communication practitioner with a development-finance institution, and holds an MSc in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. His interests are in advocacy research, strategic and applied communication, and online/social media management. Article Citation Onwunali, C. C.; Tejumaiye, J. A.; Husseini, S. & Tommy, S. (2023). An appraisal of adherence of Nigerian media to ethical standards in practice. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 15 (1): 157-168. Full Article Words: 7,792 Pages: 12 To access full article, click on download.