Rethinking Media Ethics Adherence and Enforcement in Nigeria’s Media Landscape: A Call for Cultural and Structural Reform

Abstract

This position paper critically examines the Nigerian media landscape and the ethical challenges confronting it and calls for a rethinking of the media ethics structure and adherence culture in Nigeria. The methodology is based on a thematic review of historical developments, recent ethical breaches, regulatory documents, Nigerian media codes and relevant literature. Anchored on the Social Responsibility Theory, the paper highlights how the erosion of professional solidarity, the rise of public mudslinging among journalists, the long-term impact of the broadcast media deregulation and partisan media ownership affect ethical standards. Five key ethical challenges are identified: professional rivalry, market driven pressures, ownership influence and political capture, weak enforcement of ethical codes, and news content commercialisation. These challenges have eroded public trust in the traditional media, breached journalistic autonomy, and cultivated a divided media system. This paper argues that the existing ethical codes fail to encompass crucial concerns such as professional boundaries among practitioners interactions, connections with sponsors, media ownership ethics and enforcement mechanisms for ethical breaches. The paper advocates
structural and cultural reform to restore accountability and integrity of the Nigerian media. Key recommendations include revising existing ethical codes to include the identified gaps; creating an independent and empowered press council; providing ethical guidelines and mandating openness regarding the ownership of media organisations; integrating systematic ethics monitoring at all levels in media organisations; and enhancing education on ethics. In conclusion, this paper urges stakeholders to take actions to reinforce adherence to ethics so that Nigerian journalism can serve its democratic responsibilities efficiently.