EVALUATION OF ADHERENCE OF JOURNALISTS TO THE CODES OF JOURNALISM PRACTICE IN ENUGU STATE

Abstract

This work critically evaluated the adherence of journalists to the codes ofjournalism practice in Enugu State. This study asked among other questions; to what extent do the practice of Enugu based journalists corresponds with the Nigerian code for professional journalism practice. Social responsibility and socialization theories served as the theoretical framework of the study. The researchers adopted survey method using questionnaires as instrument for data collection. Considering that the registered journalists with the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Enugu Chapel were 210, a census of 210 registeredjournalists in Enugu State was studied. The findings of the study revealed that 54.8% of the journalists were awareness of the codes of the profession. It was also revealed that the knowledge level of journalists about the codes of the profession was not above average of 50%. Further findings showed that all of the Nigerian codes for professional journalism practice were adhered to except the code for Discrimination. It was recommended that journalists should consider discrimination (balance and fairness) as one of the key codes forjournalism profession and adhere to it.