NEWS COMMERCIALISATION AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN JOURNALISM PRACTICE: IMPLICATIONS FOR NATION BUILDING

Abstract

This paper examined the relationship between news commercialisation and social responsibility in journalism and the implications of such relationship for nation building. This is against the backdrop of the fact that news commercialisation has been an issue ofethical concern in journalism practice. Anchored on the social responsibility theory of the media, the paper extensively reviewed available empirical and conceptual literature on the contendingpositions on the issue. Findings revealed that while some insist that commercialisation or commodification of news should be allowed to have a place in the operations of the media, a counter position is that allowing such to prevail would affect the foundations upon which journalism is built and the growth of Nigerian nation as a consequence. Proponents of commodification see it as a necessity for the survival of media outfits while the opponents are of the conviction that it diminishes media trust, contributes to class domination by the rich and derails national integration which is needed for nation-building. The paper recommended, amongst others, that there should be enabling law clearly delineating between what constitutes commercial messages that should be fully paid for and what constitutes issues of overriding public interest which should go into public domain without attracting any form of payment. Such delineation and its enforcement will promote social responsibility, ensure media survival in the wake of harsh economic condition and ultimately contribute to nation-building.