| Title: | Article 7 Of NUJ Code Of Ethics And Journalism Practice In Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria |
| Author(s): | Charity James |
| Abstract: | Journalists are engineer of public opinions and the public depend on them for information affecting their lives. This therefore makes it imperative for journalists to perform their functions in such a way that the public would trust and place confidence on them. In Akwa Ibom State, political environment has further given journalists additional tasks to carry out their functions in line with article seven of the code of ethics for Nigerian journalists. This study examined compliance with article 7 (reward and gratification) of the NUJ code of ethics by practicing journalist in Akwa Ibom State. It discussed with some selected journalists in the state using focus group discussion and personal interviews to reach the conclusion that poverty (economic recession) and poor remunerations are the major causes of non-compliance with the above article. The paper also established the fact that this ignoble practice influences journalism practice negatively as some important issues are downplayed while unimportant ones are exaggerated in a bid to satisfy the givers of these gratifications. The paper concludes that giving and/or accepting of gratification in any form is a corrupt and unprofessional conduct that must be punished and stopped. It therefore, recommends that media professional bodies in Akwa Ibom State be serious in maintaining ethics in the media industry by sanctioning defaulting journalists and by so doing, ensure highest professional conduct of members in all situations. |
| Keywords: | Journalism, Nigeria Union of Journalists-NUJ, Ethics, Journalism Code of ethics, Article 7 of NUJ co |
