SOCIETAL IMPACT OF CORRUPTION IN JOURNALISM PRACTICES AMONG JOURNALISTS IN OSUN STATE

This study examines the societal impact of corruption in journalism practices among journalists in Osun State, Nigeria. The research was guided by four key objectives: to identify prevalent forms of corruption in journalism, determine the underlying causes, assess the effects on public trust and democratic development, and evaluate the effectiveness of existing regulatory mechanisms. Using a survey design, structured questionnaires were distributed to 150 journalists across various media sectors in Osun State, with 142 valid responses analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings reveal that corruption is widespread in journalism practice, manifesting in forms such as brown envelope syndrome, ownership-driven bias, story suppression, and slanted reportage. The primary causes of these unethical practices include poor remuneration, job insecurity, political patronage, lack of ethics training, and weak institutional regulation. These corrupt practices were found to significantly erode public trust, promote misinformation, undermine democratic governance, and distort journalistic responsibility in society. The study also reveals a lack of confidence in professional bodies such as the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to effectively enforce ethical standards. Respondents overwhelmingly endorsed structural reforms, ethics training, improved welfare, and independent oversight as necessary interventions. The research is anchored in Gatekeeping Theory and Social Responsibility Theory, both of which highlight the role of journalistic integrity in maintaining democratic order. The study concludes that systemic corruption in journalism threatens the foundational role of the media and calls for a multi-faceted strategy to restore ethical standards and societal trust.