This study examined journalists’ perception and attitude to social media image use by Scannews and NewsRescue Online media outfits during the 2015 presidential election campaigns in Nigeria. The study objectives centered on the volume of digital image usage, forms, context, intended purpose as well as the implications of displayed images for professional photojournalism. The study is anchored on Consequentialism ethical theory, Kant Deontological ethical theory and Virtue ethical theory. Three research designs namely; Content analysis, Experimental design and Survey method were adopted as procedures that elicited information for the study. Thus, Coding Sheet and Questionnaire were used as instruments for data collection. A sample of 57 photographs and 395 journalists were used. The study found a competitive usage of digital images by NewsRescue (29 images - 51%) and Scannews (28 images, 49%). The study further found the forms of digital image techniques used by Scannews and NewsRescue to include; toning, flatting, changing costumes, cloning and retouching. In addition, images displayed were found to be triggered by corruption, security consciousness of the aspirants and on health ground. Other motivations were driven by experience and competence of the candidates. Findings also show that the contexts of digital image usage by Scannews and NewsResue impede professional virtues of objectivity, accuracy, truthfulness, fairness and balance (r = 842 > P = .000). On the denotation of displayed images, the study found that, images were symbolic of a guy (8.8%), fighter (12.3%), hooligan (17.5%) and of animal (24.6%). The study further found that images were used to infer that the candidate is a saint, competent, dependable, experienced, capable and dangerous. Findings also show that the intended purposes of digital image usage by Scannews and NewsResue impede professional virtues of objectivity, accuracy, truthfulness, fairness and balance. There was significant difference between the intended purpose of digital image displayed and professional journalism practice (t = -3.388 > P = .001; P < .01). This study also found several problems for the utilization of digital images by Scannews and NewsRescue. The study finally established several techniques that conform to journalism professional standards. The research reached a conclusion that, journalism is a profession and every profession has its norms for responsible practice which must be upheld at all times. The study thus, recommends among others that; journalism as a profession is anchored on five key principles of objectivity, accuracy, truthfulness, fairness and balance which must be upheld in all published news photograph; and that news photographers should employ journalism canons as yardstick for ethical decisions regarding the use of photographs
