| Abstract: |
The mass media has been accorded a powerful and respected position in human affairs. Throughout recorded history, it has served as the watchdog that ensures the accountability of public officers to the people. However, just as it is with all human conduct as regard public issues, the process of carrying out such responsibility is not without limitations. Apart from being hindered by the obligation to ensure the promotion and protection of moral values, laws have to be imposed to ensure certain restrictions on the exercise of that power. Among such restrictions is the issue of contempt of court or power which might compel a journalist to reveal his/her source(s) of information. While such legal pre-requisite might help in the dispensation of justice in certain instances, it is however, of serious concern to the practice of journalism; as question of breach of trust and the subsequent possibility of journalists running short of sources on issues vital to public interest are bound to surface. To adequately situate this argument, this paper anchored on the agenda setting theory to emphasise the role of the media in presenting issues for public analysis and debate devoid of possibility for contempt. The study also employed a focus group discussion with registered members of Nigerian Union of Journalists Benue State Chapter. A careful discussion of the issue with a seven-man group led to the conclusion among others, that the contention between contempt and protection of news sources be looked into with the view to making explicit provisions on issues where there could be absolute need for such disclosure and what warrants such imperative. That would, in a way help journalists to strike a bargain with their sources on what could be done should such eventuality arise. Such efforts would help secure the future of investigative journalism in Nigeria. |
