Abstract

This paper examines the right to privacy, the new media and national development efforts in Nigeria. It draws attention to the need to be ethical in using the new media of communication which have practically made the world a “global village” as previously predicted by media iconoclast and scholar, Marshal McLuhan. The social responsibility theory of the press provides theoretical anchor for the paper. This paper which depends on secondary data, identifies some new media to include the electronic mail (e-mail), Internet, GSM, videoconferencing and others. Depending on the constitution f the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists, the author makes a robust case for the protection of the privacy of the individual to enable him/her contributes meaningfully to national development efforts. Some cases on the invasion of peoples privacy have been highlighted especially the Sir Keith Rupert Murdoch incident in England, the Anita Hagan Bassey and Oge Okoye cases in Nigeria. It has also been noted that certain factors tend to limit the use of he new media in Nigeria, such as poor power situation, high costs, lack of adequate knowledge and skill as many persons, including journalists, do not make themselves available for instruction and training. In order to improve the use of the new media in a professional and responsible manner, it is recommended among others, that computer education should be given institutional and government attention, media houses should show more interest than they are doing at the moment in handling issues related to ICT while ethical orientation should be given more attention than it is receiving at the moment by all concerned.

Highlights

  • There is an explosion in human communication in ways previously thought impossible

  • At the click of a bottom messages are sent across thousands of kilometers around the globe

  • Despite the seeming political economic and even cultural disadvantages of the new media, it is not in doubt that ICTs have been of immense benefit to journalists in developing countries, especially in Nigeria

Read more

Summary

Introduction

There is an explosion in human communication in ways previously thought impossible. At the click of a bottom messages are sent across thousands of kilometers around the globe. Despite the seeming political economic and even cultural disadvantages of the new media, it is not in doubt that ICTs have been of immense benefit to journalists in developing countries, especially in Nigeria. It might be necessary at this point to discuss the new media, one after the other, with a view to exposing or explaining their potentials for enhancing journalism practice. The Murdoch saga must be one of the most news worthy developments as far as the invasion of privacy is concerned on account of the personalities involved in a great newspaper which had been on the news stands for almost 170 years This raises the question of integrity in the mass media. On the part of the professional journalists, many do not make themselves available for computer training and appreciation with the result that their ability to operate the new media is impaired in important ways

Summary and Conclusion
Findings
15. Nigeria Code
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call