Need for improved curriculum in Nigerian journalism education and ethical reorientation of journalists.

Abstract

This study is an examination of the curriculum of the journalism education programme of tertiary institutions in Nigeria and an assessment of their impact on adherence to journalism ethics by the beneficiaries of the training programmes. Three tertiary institutions’ course contents were examined. These represent the conventional universities, the specialised universities and the polytechnics. The study's theoretical framework is based on the principle of reflective practice. The theory enunciates that the student goes beyond the classroom teachings and engages in critical self-reflections that empower him to navigate the dilemmas he will encounter in the professional practice process. The research method is a descriptive survey. Data sources are secondary from departmental students' handbooks and websites of the institutions under study. The Study, in examining the curriculum of the training programmes, found out that it is difficult for the students to develop the critical self-reflection needed to navigate the ethical dilemmas in the journalism profession as most of the training institutions do not expose the students to the ethics of the profession early enough before exposing them to practice. The study, therefore, urgently recommends a review of the curriculum to strategically place the study of ethics in the course of study for meaningful impact. It also recommends unbundling the omnibus course, Law and Ethics, for in-depth research for meaningful critical reflection for effective, ethical decision-making in practice.