How to Stop Corruption in Nigeria Journalism Industry

INTRODUCTION

Over the years, corruption has poised one of the major set backs in the development of our country Nigeria. It has eaten deeply like cancer every facet of our national life. It has become so endemic and complex that people no longer hide while demanding for gratification or receiving one in the course of discharging their legitimate duties .The most alarming aspect is that those who are charged with the responsibility of exposing corruption and guiding the society i.e. the press have also found themselves immersed in this insurmountable cankerworm .The question therefore remains, what can be done to remedy this situation which have indeed gone out of hand. It must be noted that corruption cannot be fully eradicated because it is often in human nature to be selfish-to mostly choose ones well being over the general well being. It is also human for one to look away when one sees some corrupt act being carried out by a friend or relative or somebody one respects or fear but sacrifices must be made for the general good of our society. This work therefore is aimed at discussing exhaustively concrete and practicable solutions to this problem which have defiled all known solutions. It proposes ways of tackling vigorously the issue of corruption in the journalism industry.

WAYS TO COMBAT CORRUPTION:

1. TEACHING MORALITY IN HOMES, SCHOOLS AND LARGER SOCIETY: This should be the first step in the larger sense to fighting corruption, the concept of right and wrong needs to be indoctrinated in our citizens' right from the cradle in our homes and schools. It is usually believed that what is learned especially during the formation stage of ones live normally leads one through life. Institutions such as traditional and religious institutions should also help by ensuring that people with dubious and questionable character are not honored with big titles or knighted in churches. Unfortunately there are some of these revered institutions that honor such people, this definitely runs contrary to the acceptable norms of the society and also reduces the values of such titles and when people (journalist inclusive) finds out that society no longer frowns at such things they have no other alternative than to be corrupt also so as to be so honored. Our general societal norms and mores should from time to time be emphasized on so as to serve as a reinforcement of earlier held belief of right and wrong.

2. PROFESSIONALISM IS THE KEY: It should be demanded that journalists who are not graduates of journalism or mass communication must at least have a diploma in journalism. This means Stopping clientelism, and "job for friends/supporters-only" policy in government. To work as a journalist, it has to be a career choice and should not be interrupted nor interfered by the political cyclus (i.e. changing presidents/parties) or media owners. The politicization of the editorial chair must never be allowed as this will lead to insecurity among editors who will now dance to the dictates of the proprietor to earn a living. The effect is the enthronement of mediocrity on the altar of political patronage. Implementing meritocracy in the journalism industry is a way to motivate professional journalist to do a good job in order to advance in their careers! When a journalist who performs creditably well is promoted and honored this will motivate his colleagues to work harder so as to be promoted and honored next time .Investing in improving the quality of schools of journalism would do no harm, in order to increase the potential of the future journalist.

3. TRANSPARENCY: where does each penny go to? What is done with public funding? How are decisions made? Is anyone living above his means? All this information should be collected and reported and should be available for outsiders and controlling agencies. Programs such as "tell on them without fear of losing your own job"-policies should be encouraged. If somebody is afraid that their job might be at risk after talking about corrupt activities of their superiors, or colleagues, they are not going to tell on them. An editor whose salary is not up to 2 million naira per annum should be able to explain how he got the money to build a 50 million naira mansion. Restructuring the media organizations is necessary so that there are more

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