INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF NEWS COMMERCIALIZATION ON JOURNALISTIC ETHICS AND AUDIENCE TRUST

Authors

  • Oloyede Oyinloye Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
  • Riliwan Akinlabi Akinola Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
  • Enoch Abimbola Opaleke Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
  • Sunday James Okunade Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Influence, News Commercialization, Media, Practice

Abstract

The media plays a crucial role in disseminating information and shaping public opinion. The rise of news commercialization, however, has had a significant impact on journalistic integrity, news content, and audiences. This paper aims to explore the impact of news commercialization on journalistic ethics and audience trust. Through an  analysis of various scholarly sources, this paper examines the influence of commercialization on journalistic integrity, news content, and audience trust. The paper is based on the press's social responsibility theory, which motivates media organisations to make positive contributions to their society. The study concludes that the commercialization of news can lead to conflicts between profit-driven journalism and ethical practices, and news organisations may prioritise sensationalism, clickbait, and attention-grabbing headlines over balanced, fact-based reporting, resulting in a decline in news coverage and a loss of public trust. The paper recommends that the promotion of ethical rules should be a top priority for news organisations, ensuring the adoption and strict adherence to these guidelines in order to protect the integrity of journalism.

Author Biographies

Oloyede Oyinloye, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria

Department of Mass Communication

Riliwan Akinlabi Akinola, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria

Department of Mass Communication

Enoch Abimbola Opaleke, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria

Department of Mass Communication

Sunday James Okunade, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria

Department of Mass Communication

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Published

2024-05-26

How to Cite

Oyinloye, O., Akinola, R. A., Opaleke, E. A., & Okunade, S. J. (2024). INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF NEWS COMMERCIALIZATION ON JOURNALISTIC ETHICS AND AUDIENCE TRUST. African Journal of Social and Behavioural Sciences, 14(2). Retrieved from https://journals.aphriapub.com/index.php/AJSBS/article/view/2593

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