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How applicable is the ethnic in Nigeria

 

 

One of the distinguishing features of human being is that he is endowed

with free will from creation. He is therefore free to act in which ever way he

desire. However, as a social being, he is expected to align his values with

those of the society where he operates. As such, ethical codes are designed

to restrict his actions to the accepted norms in the society. Thus, even when

you have free will to act in whatever way that suits you, there are certain

sets of norms that are expected to guide you in whatever actions you want to

take. Consequently, in performing their duties, journalists are expected to

obey certain rules and regulations that bind members of the profession. This

chapter therefore, takes a look at media and ethics and problems facing the

Nigerian journalists.

WHAT IS ETHICS?

Merill (1982), defines ethics as the branch of philosophy which aids in

determining what is right to do. That is, ethics is a study of right conduct.

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Its ultimate concern is how to provide moral principles or norms for action.

It could therefore be termed a normative science of conduct. Because of its

concern with such concepts as virtue and vice, right and wrong, good and

bad, responsible and irresponsible actions, a study of ethics is a study of

rules and guidelines designed to regulate human actions while making

moral decisions.

ORIGIN OF ETHICS

The concept of ethics dates back to the beginning of existence. However, the

earliest sign of ethics in journalism was noticed at the turn of the twentieth

century when there was a reaction to the excesses of the freedom of the

Libertarian press system. This abuse led to calls for a free but responsible

press. In other words, the social responsibility believes that:

• Certain obligations to society should be accepted and fulfilled by the

press.

• These obligations are mainly to be fulfilled through setting high

professional standards of trust, accuracy, objectivity, balance and in

formativeness.

• In the discharge of their duties, the media should be self-regulating

within the framework of law and established institutions.

• The society and public have a right to expect high standards of

performance from the media, and intervention can be justified to

secure the public since journalists should be accountable to society.

To ensure high standard, the theory holds that the press must be controlled

by itself or by the government. Thus, Merill (1982) describes journalistic

ethics as a branch of philosophy, which aids journalists in determining what

is right to do. It is ultimately concerned with providing moral principles or

norms for journalistic actions. To understand the full meaning of ethics in

journalism, Okunna (1997) asks:

• What standards should journalists adhere to in the practice of their

profession?

• What is good journalism and what is bad journalism?

• What should the journalist do in a particular situation?

• What should journalism do for its practitioners, its audience and the

society?

Judged from the above questions, the purpose of ethnics in Mass

Communication is to assist journalist to be more moral professionals.

Journalistic ethics will stipulate rules, norms and principles that would

guide the journalists in making moral decisions.

CODES OF JOURNALISTIC ETHICS

Codes of journalistic ethics can be defined as rules and norms, which are

prepared and adopted by journalists to regulate the conduct of their

profession. Professional ethical norms first began to be codified in the early

1920 and at present these codes exist in some ninety countries in all regions

of the world. (Macbride et al 1981).

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These codes exist at international, regional and national levels. However, it

is important to note that, no matter that part of the world or at what level

journalistic codes of conduct are adopted, there are remarkable similarities

in the ideas, or standards of conduct and the basic tenet which are

advocated by the different codes. As pointed out by (Okunna 1997) there are

certain fundamental journalistic principles applicable in all regions of the

world. These include truthfulness. Refusal of bribes, avoidance of

plagiarism, confidentiality of sources. People’s right to privacy, correction

and rectification of incorrect report.

INSTITUTIONAL CODES

Also, different media organizations have their own policies regarding the

conduct of employees. These codes are often comprehensive and deal with

such diverse matters as the acceptance of gifts and other gratuities from

outside sources, conflict or interests, the use of offensive, or indecent

materials, the publication of rape victims’ names, the staging of news

events, the use of deceptive news gathering techniques, and the

identification of sources. There are usually similar policies regarding

advertising contents, particularly in matters of decency and taste.

Although these codes often reflect an organization’s commitment of certain

standards of conduct, they are sometimes criticized for failing to provide

guidance for the myriad of ethical dilemmas hat confront media

practitioners under the pressure of time deadlines. Nevertheless, such codes

are helpful in socialization of new employees to the ethical values of the

organization and can be used as neutral standards to which both sides can

appeal in an ethical dispute.

The violation of the codes may earn employee sanction from the

organization. Also, each violation, particularly if ignored by media executives

erodes the integrity of their media.

CODE OF ETHICS FOR NIGERIA JOURNALISTS

In Nigeria, code of ethics for journalists was first established and adopted by

the Nigeria Press Organization (NPO) in 1979. This code later paved way for

a new one which is currently in existence.

The process fore the emergence of the new code began in March 1996, when

the press council held a national workshop in Ota, Ogun State in

collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian

Guild of Editors (NGE). The amended code was adopted by the central

working committee of the NUJ in an in-house conference held in Abuja,

shortly after the Ota workshop.

The Nigerian Press Council (NPC) finally organized the Ilorin forum, from

March 18-20 1998 where the NPO made up of NUJ, NGE and Newspaper

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Proprietors Association of Nigeria formally ratified and gave impetus for the

implementation of the new code.

The new code, is a collective effort of Nigerian journalists represented by the

Nigeria Press Organization (NPO) and the Nigerian Press Council (NPC). The

letter is expected to interpret the code, acting as an adjudicator when any of

the provisions of the code is breached. Titled “Code of Ethics for Nigerian

Journalists”, it contains fifteen provisions as published by the Nigerian

Press Council. They are:

1. EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE

Decisions concerning the content of news should be the

responsibility of a professional journalist.

2. ACCURACY AND FAIRNESS

i. The public has a right to know. Factual, accurate, balance

and fair reporting is the ultimate objective of good journalism

and the basis of earning public trust and confidence.

ii. A journalist should refrain from publishing inaccurate and

misleading information. Where such information has been

inadvertently published, prompt correction should be made.

A journalist must hold the right of reply as a cardinal rule of

practice.

iii. In the course of his duties, a journalist should strive to

separate facts from conjecture and comment.

3. PRIVACY

As a general rules, a journalist should respect the privacy of

individuals and their families unless it affects public interest.

i. Information on the private life of an individual; or his family

should only be published if it impinges on public interest.

ii. Publishing of such information about an individual as

mentioned above should be deemed justifiable only if it is

directed at:

• Exposing anti-social misdemeanour;

• Exposing anti-social conduct;

• Protecting public health, morality and safety;

• Preventing the public from being misled by some

statement or actions of the individual concerned.

4. PRIVILEGE/NON-DISCLOSURE

i. A journalist should observe the universally accepted

principle of confidentiality and should not disclose the source

of information obtained in confidence.

ii. A journalist should not breach an agreement with a source of

information obtained as “off-the-record” or as “background

information”.

5. DECENCY

i. A journalist should dress and comport himself in a manner

that conforms to public taste.

ii. Journalists should refrain from using offensive, abusive or

vulgar language.

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iii. A journalist should not present lurid details either in words

or picture, of violence, sexual acts, and abhorrent or horrid

scenes.

iv. In cases involving personal grief or shock, enquiries should

be carried out and approaches made with sympathy and

discretion.

v. Unless it is in the furtherance of the public’s right to know a

journalist should generally avoid identifying relatives or

friends of persons convicted or accused of rime.

6. DISCRIMINATION

A journalist should refrain from making pejorative reference to

person’s ethic group, religion, sex, or to any physical or mental

illness or handicap.

7. REWARDS AND GRATIFICATION

i. A journalist should neither solicit nor accept bribe,

gratification or patronage to suppress or publish information.

ii. To demand payment for the publication of news is inimical to

the notion of news as a fair, accurate, unbiased and factual

report of an event.

8. VIOLENCE

A journalist should not present or report act of violence, armed

robberies terrorist activities or vulgar display of wealth in a manner

that glorifies such acts in the eyes of public.

9. CHILDREN AND MINOR

A journalist should not identify, either by name or picture, or

interview children under the age of 16 who are involved in cases

concerning sexual offences, crimes and rituals or witchcraft either

as victims, witnesses or defendants.

10. ACCESS TO INFORMATION

A journalist should strive to employ open and honest means in the

gathering of information.

Exceptional methods may be employed only when the public

interest is at stake.

11. PUBLIC INTEREST

A journalist should strive to enhance national unity and public

good.

12. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

A journalist should promote universal principles of human rights,

democracy, justice, equity, peace and international understanding.

13. PLAGIARISM

A journalist should not copy, wholesale or in part, other people’s

work without attribution and/or consent.

14. COPYRIGHT

i. Where a journalist reproduced a work, be it in print,

broadcast, artwork or deign, proper acknowledgement should

e accorded the author.

ii. A journalist should abide by all rules of copyrighting,

established by national and international laws and

conventions.

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15. PRESS FREEDOM OF CODE OF ETHICS

A journalist should strive at all times to enhance press freedom

and responsibility.

ENFORCEMENT OF CODE OF ETHICS

Jakande (1989) observed that the enforcement of professional ethics in

journalism can be effected by the professional bodies, media houses and the

public. Besides, the role of the press council cannot be over emphasized.

The Nigerian Press Council is an autonomous body set up by Decree No of

1992 and amended by Decree No 60 of 1990 to promote high professional

standards for the Nigerian Press, and to deal with complaints emanating

from members of the public about the conduct of the journalists in their

professional capacity or complaints from press about the conduct of persons

or organizations towards the press.

The NPC decree provides it with a wide range of responsibilities to wit:

- Enquire into complaints about the press and the conduct of

any person or organization towards the press.

- Research into contemporary press development and engage

in updating press documentation.

- Review development likely to restrict the flow of information

and advice on means aimed at remedying such development.

- Ensure the protection of the rights and privileges of

journalists in the lawful performance of their professional

duties and

- Foster the achievement and maintenance of high professional

standards by the Nigerian press.

In the submission on the limitations of the Nigerian press council. Bako

(2000) believes that the decrees establishing the Nigerian press council have

not met the acceptable standards of self-regulatory mechanism, pointing out

that such provisions impede on press freedom as enshrined in the 1999

constitution and other international human rights instrument.

ETHICAL DILEMMA IN NIGERIAN JOURNALISM

Despite the introduction of code of ethic for Nigerian journalists and the

setting of the Nigerian Press Council, there are other ethical issues, which

are part of the overall problems in the society. These include sycophancy.

Character assassination pressure, Afghanistan, bribery, moonlighting,

sensationalism, self-censorship, plagiarism, advertorial, deception and

faking stories among others.

SYCHOPHANCY

A sycophant is a “person who tries to win favour by flattering rich or

powerful people”. Such excessive and insincere praise is a common ethical

problem in journalism. According to (Okunna (1997)), the sycophant

journalist flatters political leaders, wealthy citizens and owners of media

houses who are employers and have formidable powers over journalists.

This is more glaring in the political sphere. For, majority of the mass media

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in Nigeria, and in many Third World countries, are owned by the

government and as a result the media more often than not are praise singing

the activities of government officials and government policies.

During election, sycophancy leads to the abuse of the power of the mass

media, and unethical journalists use the media to confer status and

legitimacy on their favourite politicians.

Writing on 126 years of the Nigerian press in Newswatch special edition of

October, 1985, Olatunji Dare noted that “between 1979 and 1983, many a

journalist sold his souls and his craft to the highest political bidder or

indeed to anyone who put up the bid”. Without exception, he observed,

“government owned newspapers became organs of whatever political party

seemed likely to control the state in which they were published or the

centre”.

Cases of sycophancy by Nigerian journalists again became glaring in the

present political dispensation, to the extent that the Nigerian Broadcasting

Commission (NBC) on May 29, 2001 had to warn ten erring broadcasting

stations to desist from “furthering the political views of the owner state

government to the detriment of opposition views, thereby mortgaging public

trust as well as confidence of citizenry (Media Rights monitor: 2001). This

practice denies the public the correct information, which is the duty of the

journalist to give them.

CHARACTER ASSASSINATION

Closely related to sycophancy is the ethical problems of character

assassination. While flattering favoured prominent and powerful people, the

sycophant journalist could indulge in verifying the opponents of such

people.

When the press makes statement that damages a person’s reputation, the

press is guilty of character assassination. An example of character

assassination was late Ohonbamu’s accusation of the former Head of State,

late Murtala Muhammed of corruption and acquisition of ill-gotten wealth.

Ohonbamu, a Senior lecturer in Law at the University of Lagos and also the

publisher of African Spark magazine published the allegation in his

magazine. He was charged to court and towards the end of the trial he

pleaded guilty. He was verbally reprimanded and set free (Uche: 1989). Also,

the recent statement credited to Dr. Gbenga Obasnjo published by The News

magazine accusing Vice President Abubakar Atiku of corruption is another

case of character assassination. Whereas there is no legal punishment for

sycophancy, character assassination is both unethical and illegal, a

journalist could face court action for defamation or damaging somebody’s

reputation.

PRESSURE

Pressure is any force or influence, which causes a journalist to feel strongly

compelled to act in a manner desirable to the source of each force or

influence. This can be internal or external. Internal pressure emanates from

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within the organization in which the journalist works. The Publishers of a

newspaper, for instance, could pressurize an editor to write an editorial

written by the publisher or his surrogate. As a journalist in Daily Times

during the Abacha regime, it was observed that some editorials published by

the newspaper emanated from the minister of information’s office in Abuja.

External pressure, on the other hand, comes from the wider community or

society. These range from advertisers, politicians, or even friends and

families of journalists can constitute sources of this type or pressure.

Pressure can cause a journalist to be irresponsible or unethical if the source

of the pressure compels the journalist to carry out action that are contrary

to his/her ethical principles.

AFGHANISTANISM

This is the practice of writing about far-away issues while shying away from

tackling the problems at home. It originally applied to editorial writing but

had come to be applied to all forms of journalistic writings. Dare (2000)

points out that during the Buhari era, commentators and analysts took to

Afghanistanism, writing earnestly and candidly about tyranny and human

rights violations in virtually every spot on the globe except Nigeria. He

however added that all those other places were simply a metaphor for

Nigeria. Afghanistanism can be as a result of fear or lack of courage. Since

charity should begin at home, if the mass media shy away from tackling

Serious local or national problems by pre-occupying themselves with

Harmless discussions of issues which are largely irrelevant to a majority of

Their audience, then the journalists who work in these media is

Irresponsible and unethical, failing in their duty which the society expects

them to perform with courage and dedication.

BRIBERY

In journalism, the ethical problem of materialism is manifested in the form

of bribery and acceptance of gifts. In the course if their duties, some

journalists usually accept money and other non-monetary gifts. These

might compromise their integrity and that of their respective media

organizations.

In Nigeria, the commonest type of bribe in journalism is the so-called brown

envelope which is a monetary bribe handed out to unethical journalists to

pressurize him or her into doing what the giver wants. Once accepted,

monetary bribes and other gifts tie the hands of journalist who then

becomes incapable of being objective in reporting events and issues

involving people who give the gifts. Also, some publishers are in the habit of

getting contracts from the government, such publishers always try to

discourage their newspapers and magazine from publishing stones hat are

critical of the government.

Objectivity is thus first casually in reporting when journalist succumb to the

evils of materialism as they attempt to please people whose bribes they have

accepted.

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SENSATIONALISM

When a newspaper or nay other mass media presents news in a way

designed to arouse a quick and excited reaction, it is said to be guilty to

sensationalism. This type of reaction is evoked when a newspaper, for

instance, seizes on the most sordid disgusting aspect to play up in its new

story. Some newspapers and soft well magazines deliberately encourage this

practice and thrive on it in Nigeria.

Akinfeleye (2003) cited examples of headlines that could be termed

sensational. They include “OPV vs Ijaw Youth claims Five”, “Horrow As OPC

And Ijaw Youth Clash”, “Ethnic Conflicts in Ajegunle”, “Zamfara Governor

Dares Obasanjo” and “Zamfara Goes Islamic”.

MOONLIGHTING

 

To make ends meet, journalists sometimes take two jobs, by working for

Competing employers. As Okunna puts it, ‘moonlighting’ the act of holding

two different jobs simultaneously and being paid for both creates room for

Conflict of interest and divided loyalty which constitute fertile ground for

unethical behaviour by journalists.

Again, objectivity is usually the causality of this type of situation. She point

out that if a moonlighting journalist is required to write a negative story

about his or her second employer, such a journalist may not have the

courage to carry out this assignment objectivity and responsibly.

Considering that objectivity and responsibility occupy a central position in

journalistic performance, journalists who lack these toe virtues could be

considered as having been weighted in the balance and found wanting.

SELF-CENSORSHIP

Socially irresponsibility and unprofessional, is the practice of withholding

information from viewers, listeners and readers especially during crises.

This is touted as a crisis management tactic whose advocates fail to

appreciate how much damage it does to their credibility. The Nigerian

Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria

(FRCN) have a policy of maintaining stolid silence during crisis.

ADVERTORIAL

For many Nigerian newspapers, magazines and the NYA, advertorial, the

practice of failing to differentiate and separate advertisements from editorial

matter is a survival strategy. Ogunade (1996) noted that they do not see

anything unethical in this practice, adding the readers and the viewers are

the losers, for they no longer know where editorial matter begins and where

advertisements take over. Where payment has been specifically made for

the dissemination of news, such should be fully disclosed to its consumer.

DECEPTION

Deception covers a wide range of practices, but at its heart is not being

truthful with someone in order to get a news story. Some journalists

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practice deceit when they mis-represent themselves, go undercover or use a

hidden camera or tape recorders. For example, consumer reporters

commonly do this when they are doing price comparison. The absolutists

would say no to this method, however others would argue that there is

nothing wrong if the method is used to get information so as to correct an

abuse.

FAKERY

As observed by Ogunade (1986) one of major ethical issues confronting the

media is fakery-the publishing of false stories. According to him, only the

thoroughly unethical and unprofessional editor or reporter would knowingly

publish falsehood as Lawrence Akapa (Top News) and Bop Opene (prime

people) did. Of course, both men paid the price as the Nigerian Union of

Journalists promptly rose to the occasion, and nipped in the bud the

dangerous development by blacklisting the erring newsmen. Also, according

to The Press a publication of the NPC, several complaints of false stories

have been received and adjudicated by the council.

CONCLUSION

Bearing in mind that the society expects a great responsibility from the

journalists, it behooves on Nigerian journalists to pay attention to certain

kinds of conflicts to avoid projecting the impression that they can no longer

be trusted.

In the words of Risley (2001) when a journalist is confronted with ethical

problems he or she should consider the following principles.

- When there are two extreme positions in a situation, he or

she should seek the middle ground known by Aristotle as the

“Golden mean”.

- Act only as you would wish others would act.

- Consider the utilitarianism of our actions, that is, our action

should produce the greatest balance of good over evil.

- Apply the veil of ignorance, that is, make ethical decisions as

if you are equal with all members of the society and lastly

treat people in the same way you would expect to be treated.

Besides, stake holders in media organizations should try to improve the

welfare of and working condition of Nigerian journalists, Mohammed (1996)

adduced to this when he said that “while journalist in the west may be well

paid, insured, endowed with state of the art equipment and facilities and are

highly mobile; their Third World, and particularly Nigerian counterparts are

poorly paid, uninsured immobile and with poor working environment”. He

added that such demoralized condition tends to open them to job insecurity

and make them vulnerable to corruption and abuse of basic professional

ethics.

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REFERENCES

Akinfeleye, Ralph (2003), Fourth Estate of the Realm or Fourth Estate of the

Wreck: Imperative of Social Responsibility of the press, Lagos press pp

63-64

Bako, Samson (2000) “Limitations of the Press Council” in International

Press Centre (ed) Ethics and Regulation: formulating a working

agenda for journalists and the media, Lagos, IPC.

Dare, Olatunji (2000) “from Iwe Iroyin to ‘naijanews.com’: The Nigerian

Press 1859-1999” in Oseni Tunji (ed) Hosting the 14th Anniversary of

the Nigerian press, Lagos Tosen consult. P.32-33.

Jakande, Lateef (1989) “Enforcement of professional Ethics” in Duyile,

Dayo (ed) Journalistic Ethics. Ibadan, Ororo publications, p. 41

Media Rights monitor (2001) vol 6 No 6 p. 15

Merrill, C. John (1982): Ethics and Journalist is Merill et al (ed) Ethics and

the press: reading in Mass Media Morality, New York, Hasting House

Publishers.

Mohammed, Jubril (1996) “Ideological Parameters of Nigerian Journalism” in

Dare, O and Uyo, A (eds), Journalism in Nigeria: Issues and

Perspectives, Lagos, NUJ, pg 306.

Momoh, Tony (2003) “Codes of Conduct for Nigerian Journalists: Appraising

the old and the new” In Akinfeleye, R and Okoye I (eds) Issues in

Nigerian Media History: 1990-2000 A.D

Lagos Maithouse press Ltd, p. 15.

New Delhi, Concept publishing pg 102-105.

Newswatch special edition, Oct. 1985

Nigeria Press Organization (1998): Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists

Lagos, NPC. Decree No 60 of 1999.

Ogunade, Delu (1996): “The Press Responsibility and Professionalism” in

Constitutional Rights Journal, Lagos, CRD. 49-55.

Okunna, Stella (1997): Ethics of Mass Communication, Enugu, New

Generations Book pp 49-55.

Randall, D (2000): The Universal journalist 2nd (ed) London, Pluto Press.

Risely, Ford (2001) “Ethics” in Harpler Christopher and the Indiana group

(eds) Journalism 2000 Madison, Course wise.

The news Vol 2 No 1

The Press Vol 3 pp. 36-45.

Uche, Luke (1989) Mass Media People and Politics in Nigeria.