The ethical challenges and issues of online journalism practice in Nigeria: What do professionals and academics think?

Abstract

This study evaluated the ethical challenges and issues of online media in Nigeria. The study used a mixed research method. Data were collected from journalists in Jalingo and lecturers of Mass Communication in one public University. The quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 25. While the qualitative data collected via interviews were analysed thematically. Both data suggest there is a high rate of unethical practices in online media in Nigeria. Fake news was ranked first, while other issues such as a lack of objectivity, lack of decency, invasion of privacy, hate speeches and sensationalism were found to be common in online media practice. Furthermore, the study found that desire to break news, lack of professional training and regulation, and political interest were key factors encouraging unethical practices in online media. The study also established that unethical practices among online media can be checkmated if online media practitioners are also regulated by licensing and exposed to training. Thus, the study recommended among others that the Nigeria Communication Commission should work with internet service providers and Telecommunication companies to design a model that will ensure that online media are registered before they can operate. Telecommunication companies and service providers should block online media that are known for perpetrating unethical practices.