Meaning And Application of Professionalism In Nigerias Media Practice-Issues and Challenges.

Nigerian Journalism today, is in deep crisis of credibility. As a result of individual, organizational, environmental and societal challenges, most of the cherished norms and values of the profession have been abused, violated and debased. A return to the traditional values of truthfulness, neutrality and impartiality may return the lost glory… According to Adaja, (2012) citing Zandberg and Neiger (2005) citing a survey done among Israeli Journalists in 2003 by Tsfaty and Libio, (2003), “almost 90 percent of them (journalists) declared that verification of the truth is the most important value of the profession alongside the values of neutrality and of objectivity”. To earn respect, recognition, and credibility for the Nigerian Journalism profession, truthfulness must be held sacred, while neutrality and objectivity should become sacrosanct. As a profession, the code of conduct should be revisited and reworked to state clearly the prerequisite qualifications necessary or required of a profession especially as it relates to the contemporary demands of the profession. Although, there exist in Nigeria, today, a number of institutes, colleges/schools, polytechnics and universities offering Journalism or Mass Communication. These schools should do more than just teach journalism, and do critical analysis.