ETHICAL CHALLENGES IN INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM PRACTICE AMONG BROADCAST JOURNALISTS IN OSUN STATE
Abstract
This study investigates the ethical challenges faced by broadcast investigative journalists in Osun State, Nigeria. Investigative journalism plays a critical role in democratic societies by exposing corruption, holding power to account, and informing the public. However, its practice is often constrained by ethical dilemmas, especially in politically sensitive and resource-limited environments. Anchored on the Social Responsibility Theory and Utilitarianism, the study adopts a descriptive survey design and draws on data from 108 validly returned questionnaires distributed among broadcast journalists in state-owned and private media houses. Findings reveal that ethical challenges are widespread, with editorial interference (82.4%), inadequate resources (69.4%), and personal safety threats (65.7%) being the most common. A significant number of journalists reported abandoning stories due to ethical or safety concerns, while media ownership influence was found to heavily impact ethical decision-making. Despite most respondents having received formal ethics training, ongoing institutional support and the enforcement of codes of conduct were insufficient. The study concludes that although broadcast journalists in Osun State demonstrate ethical awareness, systemic and organizational pressures frequently undermine ethical investigative reporting. It recommends enhanced editorial independence, institutional support, and continuous ethics training to strengthen ethical resilience in investigative journalism.
Keywords: Investigative Journalism, Journalism Ethics, Broadcast Media, Editorial Interference, Social Responsibility Theory
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