INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MODERN JOURNALISM PRACTICE AMONG MEDIA HOUSES IN EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This research investigates the influence of social media on modern journalism practices in Nigeria, with a specific focus on media houses in Edo State. The research began with a background discussion on the significant role social media has played in journalism practice. A review of related literature was conducted to provide context for the study. A survey research design was adopted, with journalists in 4 media houses in Edo state (Independent Television (ITV), Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), The Observer and The Guardian Newspaper) constituting the study population. Using a simple random sampling technique, 100 journalists were selected based on the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) table of sample size determination. A questionnaire structured into two sections was used as the research instrument. Section A: collected personal data of the respondents, while Section B: elicited responses related to the research questions. Out of the 100 questionnaires distributed, 84 were retrieved and analyzed using the simple percentage method. Key findings indicate that journalists in Edo State extensively use social media to source news items, with 42.2% primarily utilizing it for this purpose. Social media has notably impacted the accuracy and trustworthiness of news and has had a multifaceted effect on the professionalism and ethics of journalism. These results underscore the dual nature of social media's influence, enhancing news gathering and dissemination while introducing challenges related to verification and ethical standards. The study highlights the need for robust editorial guidelines and continuous professional development to navigate these complexities effectively. The study recommended amongst others that the government should establish clear policies to ensure ethical standards and accuracy in social media-driven journalism, and that broadcast and print media management should provide regular training for journalists on social media verification and ethical practices.