Abstract

Sensationalism epitomized by yellow journalism has been an issue of concern since the 20^th century. It was during this period that the call for a socially responsible media became intense because the press was seen to be perpetuating a culture of irresponsibility in the face of the freedom they enjoyed when the libertarian philosophy of the press held sway. Yet, a century later, the media is seen to be reverting back to the same unacceptable, unethical practices.  The in-thing is now is “market-driven journalism” – giving priority to trivial news items, certain kinds of layout, headline sizes, photo enhancements, flashy colours, irrelevant and lurid photos that attract mass audiences like entertainment while downplaying information. In the light of these, this paper situates this discourse within the media framing and constructivist theories and attempts to pry apart the connecting issues, the trajectories, the ethical dimensions, and the participants in the blame game of sensationalism. It also situates this in the context of Nigeria using some newspaper headlines and common practices. It however advocates that rather than having a media that ‘sells’, a media that is socially responsible is exigent in this age that ethics seems to have gone with the wind.

Key Words: Sensationalism, Nigeria, media, ethics, social responsibility.

^JCMRJournal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 5, No. 1, April 2013, 69 - 78  

©Delmas Communications Ltd.

About the author

*Dr. Sunny Emmanuel Udeze is a Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.

**Chikezie Emmanuel Uzuegbunam is a Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

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