ETHICAL DILEMMAS OF NEWSPAPER ORGANISATIONS AND THE USAGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR JOURNALISTS IN LAGOS STATE

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20414/jurkom.v17i1.12837

Keywords:

Newspaper, Ethic, Journalism, Social Media, Information

Abstract

This study examines the ethical dilemmas and the use of social media as a source of information owned by journalists. The research used mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative). The study involved 81 journalists and 3 editors from three selected newspaper organizations in Lagos State. Using questionnaires and interview guides, data were collected and analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Results show that specific dilemmas include verification of credibility, privacy concerns, unbalanced information, balancing transparency, and maintaining individual privacy rights. Verifying information from credible social media accounts helps to increase actual and accurate reporting. Using images and videos can corroborate information, as well as using fact verification tools and plugins.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aborisade, R. Investigative journalism and the fight against corruption in Nigeria: A case study of Sahara Reporters. International Journal for Communication and Media Studies, (2018). 36-53.

Adamkolo, M. The impact of the internet on journalism practice in the context of newsgathering, processing, and dissemination in Kano State, Nigeria. Journalism of Art and Humanities. (2021).

Aidan, R. Ethics and journalism in a digital age. An international Journal, (2013). 123-135.

Ainakhuagbor, T. &. Data Journalism and Its Changing Role in News Gathering and Writing in the 21st Century. Journal of communication. 3(1), (2023 ). 12-26.

Akinfeleye, R. Challenges and Opportunities of Social Media for Journalism Practice in Nigeria. Lagos Journal of Library and Information Science, 4(1), (2019). 1-13.

Bahareh, E. Twitter journalism in Ireland: Sourcing and trust in the age of social media. Journalism studies, 3(6), (2016). 3-19

Brandtzæg, P. Emerging journalistic verification practices concerning social media. Journal of communication and media studies. (2017).

Brandtzæg, P. B. Emerging Journalistic Verification Practices Concerning Social Media. Journalism Practice, (2015). 323–342.

Brennen, J. S. Digitalization and the news: What is newsworthy on Twitter? Journalism Studies, 17(7), (2016). 850-871.

Brown, M. &. The Role of Social Media in Journalism Ethics. Journal of journalism. (2015).

Bruns, A. Blogs, Twitter, and breaking news: The produsage of citizen journalism. Journalism Practice, 6(3), (2012). 1-17.

Deo-Silas, E. Newsroom journalist’s use of social media in Ghana. Journalism Practice. (2013).

Dominick, J. R. The Dynamics of Mass Communication, 11th ed. McGraw Hill. (2010).

Dunn, T. J.-B. Investigative Journalism in the Digital Age: Opportunities and Challenges. Journalism Practice. Journal of Communication, (2018). 1163-1178.

Flower, R. Survey Researh Methods, Sage publication, (2014).

Garcia, S. &. Ethical Challenges of Social Media Journalism. Communication and media studies. (2017).

Harrower, B. &. Twitter journalism in Ireland: sourcing and trust in the age of social media, Journal of Routledge. (2016).

Hermida, A. Twittering the news: The emergence of ambient journalism. Journalism Practice, 4(3), (2010). 297-308.

Hermida, A. Ambient Journalism: The Changing Landscape of Journalism in the 21st century. Journalism practice. (2019).

Johnson, P. The challenges of authenticating information in social media journalism. Journal of art, humanities and social sciences. (2014).

Logan, D. Journalists' use of Twitter: Impact on perceptions of journalistic professionalism. Journalism of art and humanities. 4(2), (2014). 146-189.

Martin, D. Information verification in the age of digital journalism. Journalism Practice. 3(12). (2014).

Maurice, T. Journalists perceived online source credibility and verification behavior. Journal of Journalism Practice. 3(2), (2018). 13-31.

McBride, K. Ethics in the age of social media. Media Ethics Magazine. 7(3), (2014).

Mutsvairo. Social media and journalism in Africa: The case of Zimbabwean journalist. Journalism Practice, (2017). 72-90.

Neuman, W. L. Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. (2014).

Nielsen, R. K., & Selva, M. Five things to know about the future of journalism. Journalism Practice. 12(1), (2019). 13-27.

Olorunnisola, A. Social media and investigative journalism practice in Nigeria. Journal of Journalism Practice, 5(3), (2016). 88-107.

Okunoye, A., & Akinlade, O. Digital Journalism in Nigeria: A Study of the Role of Social Media. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 12(1), (2020). 73-89.

Oso, L. Media, Journalism, and Society in Nigeria: Issues and Perspectives. Handbook of Research on Media Literacy in Higher Education Environments, (2017). 1-17.

Powers, M. Journalism ethics amidst structural change: The digital challenge. The Routledge Handbook of Media and Communication Studies, (2014). 352-366.

Reich. Journalism in the age of social media: Reconsidering journalistic professionalism. Journalism studies, (2019). 1927-1944.

Reich, Z. &. Social media as a platform for journalistic practice: Perspectives of social media editors. Journal of Digital Journalism, 2(3), (2014). 368-383.

Smith, K. &. The Role of Journalistic Ethics in Social Media News Reporting. Jounalism and media studies, (2021).

Stephen, M. Journalism ethics as a discipline of practice. Journalism Practice, (2013). 343-354.

Sulastri, Leni, et al. “Millennial Da’wah Innovation of Pemuda Hijrah Lombok in Digital Disruption Era”. KOMUNIKE: Jurnal Komunikasi Penyiaran Islam, vol. 15, no. 1, July 2023, pp. 73-92, doi:10.20414/jurkom.v15i1.7604.

Thompson, Sarah. Fake News Satire: The Structure of Broadcast News Parody. Journalism Studies, 19(12), (2018). 1818-1836.

Ugo, A. &. Ethical issues in internet-based journalism practice in Nigeria. Journalism practice. Journal of Communication and media studies. 4(7), (2023). 15-27.

Viola, G. Fake news in the age of social media. Peter Lang Publishing. (2018). 123-135.

Wilson, M. The Changing Landscape of Journalism: Challenges and Strategies for Social Media Integration. (2014). 2-14.

Downloads

Published

25-06-2025