Journalistic ethics refers to the principles and standards that guide the practice of journalism. It is a set of codes that specify the right things to do and what not to do. Sometimes, journalistic ethics intersect issues of law. Example, journalists may face legal pressure to reveal sources, but codes of ethics often prioritize the protection of the identity of sources. However, media law remains a distinct area that covers legal provisions included in the law of the land. While journalists can be prosecuted by the state when they break any of the media laws, sanctions from bodies like the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and other media councils ideally handle breaches of ethical matters. What are some of these journalistic ethics?
Accuracy
Accurate information is factual and wholesome information. It can be credited to a source, or it is the outcome of an established and verifiable research information. It is popular across most newsrooms in the world to say that when in doubt, leave out. If there is any ambiguity or uncertainty about the accuracy of information, leave it out. It is better to be accused of not carrying the information, than be accused of reporting falsity. False information is dangerous because invariably it causes harm. Let me quote the words of one of our mentors in journalism by the name of Joseph Pulitzer.
He said “Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so they remember it, and above all accurately so they will be guided by its light.” The emphasis in this quote is on accuracy. Falsehood has been known to confuse, to misguide, to damage reputations, to start fights, and generally to be a threat to law and order and public safety. This is one journalistic ethical issue that involves both ethics and law.
Objectivity
This is avoiding the presentation of subjective views, partial views, biased views, opinionated views. Journalism is the objective presentation of facts. The journalist is supposed to be detached from the story. He hears from both sides and reports both sides making sure that equal opportunity, equal time, and equal treatment are given to each side. In this way, the story is said to be balanced. It is unprofessional to take sides and show biasness. The journalist is an impartial observer and conveyor of information. Leave judgement to the viewer or listener, or reader.
Some scholars have argued that objectivity is impossible to attain and indeed is a mirage. They said that, like all human beings, journalists bring in their own values, experiences and biases into reporting which significantly affect the way they frame stories and select facts. The words and language used can shape perception and bring in subtle bias which contribute to making objectivity a big challenge. News reporters, news editors, news management, news stations cover some stories, while they ignore others exposing their biases. What they choose to cover sets the agenda, and this agenda may not necessarily be a true representation of the diverse societal perspectives.
At one time, maybe even up to now, some scholars in Nigeria considered the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) as the conscience of the Nigerian elites. They posited that NTA News is a packaged representation of what the elites want Nigerians to know, and to think. At various times in the past, and even now, ownership of media houses, powerful interests like advertisers, have been, or are dynamics that may affect the tone and content of reporting the news. Whatever arguments one chooses to lean on, objectivity remains an important ethical issue in the reporting of news. While biases, values, and experiences of journalists can affect the attainment of objectivity, journalists must strive to be fair, balanced, and transparent in the discharge of their duties. Journalism is a noble profession, and journalists must try to practice within the accepted norms of the profession.
Confidentiality of sources
Sources of information will include pronouncements of the government through press releases, press conferences, interviews, the legislature, judiciary, research, reporter observation through the lens of the camera, radio recorder, and many others. While the journalist is expected to be transparent and accountable by crediting information to its proper source, explaining his methods openly, he is sometimes expected to protect the identity of his sources especially when the source demands for anonymity. That is when the source asked not to be identified. This usually happens in investigative or sensitive reports. Good sources of information are usually provided in confidence especially when wrongdoing is involved.
There are disagreements in newsrooms between editors and reporters, between reporters and law enforcement officers regarding the revealing of the source of information. While the reporter is ethically required to respect the pledge of confidentiality, he is compelled by editors, news managers, and security forces to reveal his source of information. Sources of information are usually afraid of being harmed, dismissed from their employment, ridiculed, or ostracized by society. Crediting information to its proper source is intended to prevent the publishing of fake, cooked and inaccurate news.
Digital Age
The Digital Age is simply the information age. A historical period characterized the rapid shift from traditional industries to an economy centred on information technology. The Digital Age started in the mid-twentieth century, even though research on the IBM computer started in 1937, but the machine was actually built between 1939 and 1944. The proliferation of the computer and its mass use started in the 1980s with the advent of the personal computer PC. The Digital Age is a period characterized by the use of computers, smartphones, the super highway of information referred to as the internet. These are all digital tools that have become integral to our daily lives. They have also become pervasive because most of the remotest communities around the globe are either connected to the mobile phone or the internet or both. The internet access provides the platform for bloggers, social media like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, YouTube, and many others. It has become very easy to launch online newspapers, online radio and television stations. These online channels coexist and compete with the traditional broadcast media. A large segment of the target population that consumes online content is the youth. Nigeria is reported to have 70 percent of its citizens under 30 years old and 42 percent below 15 years old, totalling around 151 million young people. As of January 2024, 80 percent of people aged 15-24 years old are almost twice as likely to use the internet as other age groups.
Ladies and gentlemen, this simply means that we have a large chunk of the demographics that depend on online content on a daily basis. News, social and economic information. So, unlimited access to transmit uncensored material by content creators that are untrained raises very serious social, and security issues.
Freedom of speech
In Nigeria, the right to free speech is guaranteed under section 39 of the 1999 Constitution which states that every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions, and receive and impart ideas and information without interference. This freedom includes the right to own, establish, and operate any medium for the purpose of dissemination of information, ideas, and opinions. Freedom of speech enables citizen participation in a democracy. Citizens must be allowed to express opinions, to engage in public debates on public issues that affect their lives. Freedom of speech fosters informed decision-making during governance and generally is essential to the democratic process. Indeed, freedom of speech is indicative of a truly functional democracy because it ensures that public officials are held to account and that power is not abused. This freedom is fundamental, but not absolute. Restrictions can be imposed in consideration of national security, public safety, public order, morality, defamation and hate speech.
Final argument:
Can journalists and bloggers balance freedom of speech with responsibility?
Yes! I believe that this is possible. But listen to me first. Although the constitution guarantees free speech, which allows free flow of information in a democracy, there is an overpowering need to control the excesses of some journalists and bloggers. No responsible government will allow unrestricted flow of damaging information capable of threatening national security, public safety, public order and morality. Law and order, and morality are strong foundations of a safe and decent society. Nobody should have the unlimited right to publish whatever he wants, irrespective of who will be harmed by the information. There is a need for proper management of information. Remember, there must first be a peaceful country before you can have the right to exercise free speech. So, journalists and bloggers must operate with the highest level of responsibility. Do not arrogate too much power to yourself because that is conceit or even arrogance.
Having established this position, I want to state that politicians, public officials, influential elites must understand that the authority and power given to them by mandate of office, or the power of their wealth and influence are not licenses for abuse or showing excesses of any kind. Power in a true democracy is temporal because mandates have to be renewed, and eventually, tenures have to end because it is usually for a constitutionally specified period. Therefore, there is the need for discretion in curbing the excesses of journalists and bloggers. Everything must be done according to the provisions of the law. The making of laws must be truly reflective of the will of the people not a concoction of a few elites who are trying to use it to oppress, or suppress the free flow of information.
Much reference is usually made of liberal democracies of the west. The USA, UK and many European countries are cited where freedom abound. But let give you a small historical anecdote so that you understand their journeys regarding the freedom of speech. Libertarians, at different periods advocated the theory of the “market place of ideas “. John Locke in the 17th Century emphasized the importance of free speech and exchange of ideas. John Stuart Mill in the 19th Century argued for freedom of speech and diverse opinions. US Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis in the early 20th century in a dissenting opinion also highlighted the idea of the market place of ideas. All these distinguish personalities are for minimal intervention of government regarding free speech. But this idea was over time adjusted to consider national security, and defamation. The commonality of interest that I am trying to point out is that these so-called advanced and developed countries had realized that national security is important for the survival of the country, and that unrestricted free speech can be abused because sometimes it can damage reputations and cause anguish to individuals and groups. Hence, the need for laws that will curb the excesses of free speech. The adjustments were aimed at striking a balance between free speech and protecting the national interest and individual rights and reputation.
Do not forget that apart from libel laws that already exist in the constitution, Nigeria has passed the Cybercrimes Act of 2025. It is Nigeria’s primary legislation and Act designed to fight cybercrime. It provides a framework for the prosecution and punishment of cyber related offences. These offences include identity theft, hacking, cyberstalking, cyberterrorism and phishing. Although many human rights activists fought the bill and attacked it as an attempt to silence free speech, it eventually passed and was signed into law. It has been criticized for being ambiguous in certain provisions, insufficient technical capacity which hinders the effective investigation and prosecution, but the cybercrime Act has become the law of the land. And do not forget that the government can get you whenever it wants to get you. So, be cautious, and be professional.
