The Ethical Dilemma of African Journalists: A Nigerian Perspective

Abstract

This article uses Nigeria as a case study to examine the nature and consequences of the ethical dilemma African journalists face as a result of conflicting obligations to their profession and socio-politicaI environments. Professional skills and codes of conduct used by African journalists are adapted from Western libertarian news media philosophy that prescribes news media that are independent from the government. But African governments favor the development journalism philosophy that calls for a close working relationship between the news media and government because of political instability and national development objectives. The conflicting expectations between the two philosophies create a clash of loyalties and ultimately an ethical dilemma for African journalists.