Unethical Practices in the Mass Media: A Study of some Selected Media Houses in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examines the “unethical Practices in the Media: studies of some selected media in Kano metropolis. Four media houses in the Kano metropolis were purposively selected. These include Kano Radio, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Kano, Freedom Radio, and the Daily Trust. Considering the critical, but vital roles of the media in nation building in any democratic setting, this study is situated within the Social Responsibility Theory and Kant’s Duty Law Theory. The researcher adopts a qualitative method in carrying out this research. It can be deduced from the findings that respondents strongly disagree that journalists are well paid in Nigeria, only a few respondents react otherwise. Therefore, we can conclude that it is conspicuous Nigerian journalists’ are not well remunerated. And this can be said to pose a constraint to the efficiency and effectiveness in their operations Findings also revealed that some of the journalists in Kano State practice unethically, while only few respondents are of a different opinion. This presupposes that some journalists in Kano State are involved in this practice. This means that their activities are devoid of objectivity, and has caused the masses to have little or no confidence in their activities. In the light of the findings of this study, the following recommendations are important: Remuneration for journalists is not commensurate with the hazards of the profession. The poor remuneration is not only responsible for the brown envelope syndrome, but also hinders the press from performing up to expectation. The employers of journalists should therefore ensure that remuneration for journalists is commensurate with the work they do. Owners of media organizations should allow journalists to perform their duties according to the ethics of the profession. Government should increase the salary of journalists and be compensated after years of service.

Keywords: Ethics, Mass media, Kano