Impediments to Objectivity and Professionalism in Journalism Practice in  Nigeria

Emmanuel Omula, PhD; Agu Ikenna Emmanuel, PhD

doi:10.5281/zenodo.14035200

Impediments to Objectivity and Professionalism in Journalism Practice in Nigeria

Authors

Emmanuel Omula, PhD Department of Mass Communication Top https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8721-1457
Agu Ikenna Emmanuel, PhD Department of Mass Communication Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8721-1457

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14035200

Keywords:

Impediments, Objectivity, Professionalism, Journalism, Practice

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the obstacles to objectivity and professionalism in journalism practice in Nigeria. Using a library research method to gather data, the study was grounded in the social responsibility theory of the press. Findings revealed that news commercialization, salary nonpayment, and ownership influence are significant impediments to journalism in Nigeria. Specifically, news commercialization has diminished the editor's role, allowing any paid content to qualify as news and establishing money as the main criterion for news judgment. This trend compromises the credibility of media organizations. Salary nonpayment also negatively impacts objectivity and professionalism, as unpaid journalists may resort to accepting "brown envelopes" (bribes) from news sources, compromising their independence. Additionally, ownership influence restricts objectivity and professionalism because both public and private media owners exert considerable control over their outlets. Government media often serve as propaganda tools, while private media are driven by motives like profit-making, agenda-setting, and political or business gain. The study concluded that objectivity and professionalism will remain compromised if issues like news commercialization, salary nonpayment, and ownership influence persist. It recommended ending news commercialization to protect objectivity, professionalism, fairness, and balance, which are essential to journalism practice.

Downloads

Published

2024-11-04

How to Cite

Emmanuel Omula, PhD, & Agu Ikenna Emmanuel, PhD. (2024). Impediments to Objectivity and Professionalism in Journalism Practice in Nigeria. GVU Journal of Research and Development, 1(2), 145–152. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14035200

Download Citation

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2024): GVU Journal of Research and Development

Section

Articles

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

CALL FOR PAPERS

May 12, 2024

Call for Papers for Vol. 1. Number 2, August, 2024 Edition of GVU Journal of Research and Development

A Publication of Glorious Vision University (formerly Samuel Adegboyega University), Ogwa, Edo State, Nigeria

Deadline for the submission: 28th June, 2024

Editor-in-Chief

Professor Ezekiel S. Asemah

Editor, Humanities

Professor Cyrille Ngamen Kouassi

Editor, Management and Social Sciences

Professor Monday Osemeke

Editor, Law

Professor Daniel Akhabue

Editor, Communication and Media Studies

Professor Ambrose Uchenunu

Editor, Sciences

Dr. Kingsley Enerijiofi

Editorial Secretary

Dr. Hassan Ozekomhe

About the Journal

GVU Journal of Research and Development is a peer reviewed journal published by Glorious Vision University (formerly Samuel Adegboyega University), Ogwa, Edo State, Nigeria. The journal is dedicated to a broad range of developmental studies and receives articles from scholars, policy makers and researchers. The journal publishes three (3) issues in a year (April, August and December).The scope of the journal covers different disciplines, including, but not limited to Communication Studies, Law, Humanities, Management, Social Sciences and Sciences. The aim of the journal is to contribute to knowledge, both at the local and international levels. GVU Journal of Research and Development is available both in print and electronic versions in Open Access with Digital Object Identifier (D.O.I) indexed in Google Scholar, Open Aire, Zenodo, Dimensions and Garuda.

Submission Guidelines

Papers should bear the title, name of author, institution, postal details, email address and phone numbers on the paper’s cover page.
The paper must be accompanied with an abstract of not more than 250 words.
There should be 5-6 keywords immediately after the abstract.
Text should be in times new roman and in 12pt font size.
Text should be typed, using double line spacing throughout the paper, except for the abstract and all indentations, which should be single line spacing.
Text should not exceed eighteen (18) pages.
The reference pattern should be GVU referencing style.
Authors are advised to cite indigenous authors as much as possible and a minimum of 70% of the total references should not be more than 10 years old except in exceptional cases.
Plagiarism should not be more than 20% (turn-it-in).
All manuscripts should be submitted electronically as attachment (Microsoft Words) to gvujrd2023@gmail.com
Review fee for each paper is five thousand naira (5,000) while the publication fee is twenty thousand naira (25,000).

For more information, visit the official website of the journal: https:journals.sau.edu.ng/index.php/sjmas

Account Details

Glorious Vision University

First Bank

2018026151

Manuscript Structure

The manuscript should be written in English with simple lay out (12 font size, Times New Roman). There should be no decorative borders anywhere in the text, including the title page. Manuscripts in general should be organised in the following manner:

Title: The title page should contain a brief title, name(s) of author(s) and their institutional affiliations, telephone number with country code and email address. The title of the manuscript should be without any abbreviations.
Abstract The abstract should be concise and informative. It should not exceed 250 words in length. It should cover the main objective of the study, methods and materials, key results, conclusion and key recommendations. No references should be cited in the abstract. Generally, non-standard abbreviations should not be used; if necessary, they should be clearly defined in the abstract, at first use.
Keywords: Immediately after the abstract, about 5-6 keywords should be given. Use of abbreviations should be avoided; only standard abbreviations, well-known in the established area may be used, if appropriate. These keywords will be used for indexing.
Introduction: Provide a background, brief literature survey, proposed solution and justification of the work done.
Statement of the Problem: Clearly define the problem. However, authors are permitted to merge the problem with the introduction.
Research Objectives/Questions: Clearly state the objectives and research questions, which must be itemised. Contributors are free to either state only the objectives or only the research questions. · Research Hypothesis (If any)
Conceptual Clarification (If any)
Review of Related Literature (Which must include review of empirical studies).
Theoretical Framework: Authors are to provide theoretical basis for their studies; maximum of two theories. The theories used must be aligned with the discussion of findings, where necessary. This is, however, optional for those in the sciences.
Materials/Methods: It should contain a brief method used. The methodology should be clearly explained.
Data Presentation/Analysis: Data should be well presented and analysed. Authors should avoid table reading while analysing data. The emphasis should be on the implications of the data in the table, not repeating the obvious.
Discussion of Findings: The discussion should provide detailed interpretation of data. This should interpret the significance of the findings of the work. Citations should be given appropriately and the theoretical framework should be aligned with the findings, where necessary. · Conclusion: This should briefly state the major findings and conclude based on the findings.
Recommendations: Recommendations must be in tandem with the findings and conclusion. Give a minimum of three recommendations.
References: The GVU APA style should be used. Authors are advised to carefully go through the guidelines before submitting their papers as papers not in line with the guidelines will be rejected.

GVU Reference Style

In-text Citations

When authors are cited or quoted verbatim, the quotation must be indicated with quotation marks and the page range must be captured; for example, according to Asemah (2023, p.5), ‘‘communication is the process of exchanging information between two or more people through previously agreed symbols.’’

Indentation

Authors can only indent words more than forty (40) and the indentation must be flushed right. All indentations must have quotation marks inserted. For example, Afolayan (2021, p. 20) notes thus:

‘‘The competition in the manufacturing industry is increasing as organisations are faced with challenges, which include complex developments, technological trends, rapid growth of the need for qualified, loyal, and experienced employees, globalisation and deregulation. These quick changes force them to run their companies well in terms of employee performance, client happiness and organisational dedication.’’

Use of Ampersand

Ampersand should be used for the beginning of citations and when authors paraphrase and the paraphrased sentence has the citation at the end. For example, Asemah & Ekhareafo (2023) note that…………….. and not Asemah and Ekhareafo (2023).

Communication plays a very crucial role in our modern society as it contributes to the development of every society (Asemah & Ekhareafo, 2023).

The Use of Et al

The use of et al is not permitted for works authored by two researchers. It is only allowed when there are more than two authors. This implies that the use of et al is only allowed when you have from three and above authors. In this, on first citation, the names of the three authors must be mentioned; then in subsequent citations, you mention the name of only the first author, followed by et al.

Reference Section

Text Books

Asemah, E.S., Gujbawu, M., Ekhareafo, D.O. & Okpanachi, R.A. (2012) Research methods and procedures in mass communication. Jos: Great Future Press.

Journals

Asemah, E. S., Okpanachi, R. A. & Olumuji, E. O. (2013). Communicating corporate social responsibility performance of organisations: A key to winning stakeholders' goodwill. International Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2 (4), 27- 54.

Enerijiofi, K. E., Akapo, F. H. & Erhabor, J. O. (2021). GC-MS analysis and antibacterial activities of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts on selected clinical bacterial isolates. Bulletin of the National Research Centre, 45 (179), 1 -10.

Conference Proceedings

Nwaoboli, E. P. Chukwu, N. V. & Asemah, E.S. (2021). Mass media and coronavirus campaigns in Benin City: Examining the status conferral approach. In E. S.

Asemah., J. U Idialu., S. O. Ajagun., M. Osemeke., E. Okwudiri., M. Oaikhena., F. Ohiokha & K. Ola (Ed.).Pandemic in the 21st Century: Multi-dimensional Approaches. Edited Conference Proceedings of the 2nd College of Management and Social Sciences 2021 Conference. Ogwa: Samuel Adegboyega University.

Edited Books

Nwaoboli, E. P. & Asemah, E. S. (2021). Textual analysis of select online media use of fear appeals in the promotion of COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria. In E. S. Asemah (Ed.). Communication, Pandemic and Civil Unrest in Nigeria (pp. 5-19). Enugu: Franklead Press.

Internet Sources

Egunjobi, J. P. (2020). Wearing mask to combat COVID. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341881748_Wearing_Mask_to_Combat_COVI D.

Newspapers

Eze, J. K. (2022). Communication and development. The Daily Sun, August 24th , p. 5.

Magazines

Eze, J. K. (2022). Communication and development. The Tell Magazine, June 24th, p. 5.