ADHERENCE TO THE PROFESSIONAL ETHICS OF JOURNALISM PRACTICE IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study, anchored on the tenets of social responsibility and deontological theories, investigated journalists adherence to the professional ethics in journalism practice in Edo State, Nigeria. This study became necessary following the assumption that journalists adhere to ethics in journalism to a large extent or no extent at all. Thus, 317 journalists, selected to reflect and represent journalists in Edo State, comprised the sample of this study. The sample was selected through purposive and systematic sampling techniques. An 8 item questionnaire was used to generate data from the sample. Data generated were analyzed and presented with the aid of likert tables, simple percentage. Findings show that journalists in Edo state to a large extent adhere to professional ethics in journalism practice, that there is professionalism in media practice and low fundings is the major problem affecting journalists adherence. The study concluded that the extent at which journalist adhere to professional ethics in journalism practice in Edo state is low. It was therefore recommended that journalists welfare should be well taken care of in order for them to properly fulfill their social responsibility to the society.