Assessing the Functions of African Cultural Values in Journalism Practice: A Case for Ethical Journalism in Africa

This study investigated the functional role of African cultural values in the practice of ethical journalism in Nigeria, using Ananmbra State as a case study. The objectives centred on determining the functions and use of African cultural values in ensuring ethical journalism practice in Nigeria. The survey of 162 journalists working with different media and information organizations in Anambra State used questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions to obtain data. Findings revealed that the journalists studied perceived African cultural values as having a useful role in the practice of journalism in Nigeria. This role covers a broad range of issues which centre on encouraging: ethical practice, dedication to duty, hard work, and development-inclined journalism. It was recommended that the training and re-training of journalists to equip them with knowledge of African cultural values and inculcate in them the orientation of resorting to the values in their day-to-day journalistic activities is imperative.    Key words: African cultural values, ethical challenges, ethical journalism, functions, journalism practice, perception

Do New Media Make the Practice of Journalism More or Less a Profession?

This review examines the role of new media in the ongoing debate about journalism being a profession or not. The paper gives an overview of professionalism, contending issues in the journalistic profession debate, the new media, and the influence of new media in the debate. Drawing from a huge body of literature on new media usage, journalism, professionalism and practical examples, the paper contends that the new media contribute for and against journalistic professionalism. In terms of contributing for journalistic professionalism, it is observed among other things that the new media provide tools that improve journalism practices, making journalism significantly socially responsible to society. This is a core criterion of professionalism. In terms of contributing against journalistic professionalism, the paper contends inter alia that the extreme freedom associated with the new media render many people, without any formal journalistic training, journalists. With this, very many cases of unethical practices are the case. Similarly, the nature of new media makes it extremely difficult to regulate its usage. All these are in opposition to a number of general criteria of professionalism. With these overwhelming evidences, the position of the paper is that, at present, the new media work against journalistic professionalism than for it. Key words: Debate, journalism, new media, non-profession, profession.

Community Radio and Nigeria’s National Security Exigencies: Fears and Promises

The community radio project is an emerging form of broadcasting that is gaining popularity and acceptability more than the other forms of broadcasting (state, public, commercial, private, and institutional). Its popularity is largely due to its potential to democratize and provide a horizontal form of communication, thus, contributing more meaningfully to development efforts than the other forms of broadcasting. Nigeria’s national security at the moment is facing serious challenges to the point that the country’s corporate existence as a united entity is threatened. This calls for serious measures to address the challenges. Community radio offers a veritable communication channel to facilitate peace building mechanisms and national integration. This paper argues that community radio project in Nigeria, when established, would have daunting challenges as well as promises in managing security issues. The daunting challenges centre on the activities of the ruling class and elites who would want to manipulate the project for their selfish motives. The promises are in the democratic, people-driven, and development-based features of community broadcasting. To ensure that community radio project facilitates national security, the paper recommends, among other things, political will, involvement of the people, media literacy education, and the involvement of civil societies to assist curtail cases of excesses in the operation of the community radio project Key words: Community radio, national security, fears, promises, Nigeria