In today’s rapidly evolving media landscape, the quest for truth in journalism remains as vital as ever. As newsrooms transition from print to digital platforms, journalists and content creators alike are grappling with the ethical dilemmas of delivering accurate information in an era where misinformation spreads at lightning speed.
During a recent X space organized by the interns of Media Career Development Network on 28th of September 2024, titled: Journalism: Why Truth Matters. Journalism, to mark the World News Day, speakers shared insights on the ethical obligations that journalists must uphold to maintain public trust.
Olamide Ayomide, a student of the department of Mass Communication, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye underscored the critical role of journalism in shaping public opinion and policy.
“Journalism is essential so that citizens can make informed decisions,” he stated. Ayomide’s sentiment echoed throughout the event as participants stressed that a misinformed public is dangerous to democracy.
Similarly, Jadesola Abolaji from Covenant University, Otta, emphasized the responsibility journalists have in fostering trust.
“Our audience relies on us to deliver factual reports. It’s essential to always prioritize the truth, no matter how difficult,” she said.
Ibrahim Habeeb, a rising investigative journalist from Lagos State University of Science and Technology, dissected the core tenets of ethical journalism: objectivity, accuracy, balance, and transparency.
“Accuracy means verifying your facts, objectivity means separating personal opinions from reality,” Habeeb explained. “Without these principles, journalism becomes chaotic, and society suffers.”
Habeeb also referenced a prominent guide for journalists, “The Journalist You Ought to Be” by the Executive Director, MCDN, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin, which emphasizes the need for high public trust in the profession.
He urged young reporters to adhere to the ethics outlined in the Nigerian Journalists’ Code of Conduct.
Balogun Abosede of Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo, explored how the core principles of journalism—accuracy, impartiality, and transparency—are essential in the digital age.
“Journalists must ensure facts are verified, use precise language, and remain neutral in reporting,” she noted, adding that “By doing so, they enable the public to understand the truth and current trends without bias.”
However, with the rise of content creators, bloggers, and social influencers, the lines between journalism and content creation have become blurred. Ayomide highlighted this challenge, pointing out the difference between the two: “Content creators focus on creativity, while journalists follow ethical standards to report the truth objectively.”
The discussion also touched on the challenges journalists face while maintaining truthfulness in reporting. Jadesola stressed the need to handle sensitive information with care. “Don’t misrepresent or oversimplify issues. Our responsibility is to serve the public interest, not personal agendas.”
Balogun reinforced the point, urging journalists to avoid bias and seek diverse perspectives before reporting. “Truth is not one-sided. To prioritize it, we must gather opinions from different angles,” she stated.
In response to a question about fact-checking tools, Mr Otufodunrin, a media career expert, recommended that audiences learn to verify the credibility of their sources. “Know the platform from which you’re getting your information,” he advised. “Always double-check if something seems too good to be true.”
Ayomide also weighed in on the role of technology in journalism. While acknowledging that technology has revolutionized the industry, he warned of its potential to enable misinformation. “Technology is everything today. But it also makes it easier for people to spread false news, which is why journalists must remain steadfast in upholding the truth.”
In his contribution, a veteran journalist and media scholar, Dr. Richard Ikiebe summed up the essence of ethical journalism, noting that “Truth and facts must go hand in hand. Journalists must verify every claim and be wary of influencers who disseminate false information.”
Journalist are face with a lot of challenges and I hope with the strong use of their ethical tools, they can overcome this challenges.