Sound Journalism Lives on Truthful Framing and Ethics in Practice

In journalism, framing matters. What makes a journalist supposedly more sound and respected when they publish news is because they’re guided by ethics, integrity, and public-interest outcomes in a more rigorous manner than everyday content creators, vloggers, bloggers, podcasters, and influencers.

When I saw the Channels TV News headline “Many Fear Dead as Bomb Blast Rocks Maiduguri on Christmas Eve,” it felt like it fed into a US narrative justifying intervention in Nigeria through its Department of War. While the headline highlighted the tragedy on an important Christian eve, adding “Mosque” would shift the focus to “Lives of All Nigerians Matter.”

A better headline could be: “Many Fear Dead as Bomb Blast Rocks Mosque in Maiduguri on Christmas Eve.” This framing brings both sides of the conversation into focus.

The reality is that while Christians in places like Kaduna have been deliberately targeted, attacks in Northern Nigeria are often indiscriminate. Northern leaders have treated bandits as “pets,” and the violence is driven by power, money, natural resources, and other hidden motives.

In the heat of a breaking story, a reporter’s compass is the code of ethics that steadies the ship. Truth and accuracy are the first bearings: before the world reads that “the governor announced a new dam,” the journalist must verify the press release, cross‑check with official documents, and, if needed, call the ministry directly. A classic slip‑up occurred in 2018 when a Nigerian newspaper mistakenly reported the death of a prominent politician; the error was corrected within hours, but the damage to credibility lingered, underscoring the cost of unchecked facts.

Independence is the next anchor. Journalists cannot be swayed by political patrons or corporate sponsors. In 2020, the Premium Times faced intense pressure when it exposed a multi‑million‑naira fraud involving a ruling‑party official. Despite threats of legal action and offers of “settlement,” the newsroom held firm, publishing the investigation and reinforcing the public’s trust in unbiased reporting.

Accountability and transparency demand openness about methods and sources. When BBC Africa reported on the 2022 oil spill in the Niger Delta, it attached a “data‑note” explaining how satellite imagery and eyewitness videos were corroborated, allowing readers to trace the evidence trail. This practice mirrors the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics, which urges journalists to “explain the story’s context and methodology.”

Minimizing harm is a delicate balance. During the #EndSARS protests of 2020, many outlets chose to blur the faces of minors caught in the chaos, respecting their privacy while still documenting police violence. Conversely, the 2019 The Guardian piece on Boko Haram’s abductions sparked debate: while the graphic details highlighted the atrocity, critics argued it risked retraumatizing victims. Ethical reporting weighs both public interest and individual dignity.

Impartiality and balance require separating news from opinion. Nigeria’s The Punch runs a clear “Opinion” section, labeling editorials distinctly from straight news. In contrast, a 2021 article in a regional tabloid blended factual reporting with partisan commentary, leading readers to mistake opinion for fact—a breach of the Nigerian Press Council’s guidelines on clear labeling.

Respect for dignity means avoiding stereotypes. When covering the 2023 Lagos floods, Channels TV refrained from sensationalist language like “backward communities” and instead highlighted community resilience, echoing UNESCO’s call for non‑discriminatory reporting.

Editorial integrity forbids gifts or favors that could compromise judgment. In 2024, a Nigerian investigative team returned a “donation” from a telecommunications firm after discovering the company was a subject of an upcoming exposé on data privacy breaches. The act aligned with the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) anti‑corruption stance for media practitioners.

Legal compliance is non‑negotiable. The 2015 Cybercrimes Act has been weaponized to silence critics, but journalists who understand the law’s limits—such as the right to report on matters of public interest—continue to push boundaries. For instance, Sahara Reporters successfully defended a defamation suit in 2022 by proving the veracity of its claims about a government official’s offshore accounts.

Digital security safeguards sources. During the 2021 “Leak of Government Contracts” scandal, a whistleblower used encrypted Signal messages and ProtonMail to share documents with The Guardian Nigeria. The newsroom employed end‑to‑end encryption and secure file‑transfer protocols, protecting both the source and the story.

Finally, social responsibility drives journalists to empower the public. In 2023, The Cable launched a weekly “Media Literacy” segment, teaching citizens how to spot deepfakes and verify viral videos—a direct response to the surge of misinformation during election cycles.

These real‑world examples illustrate how Nigerian journalists, despite daunting pressures, uphold the ethical pillars that keep the profession trustworthy and vital. By anchoring every story in truth, independence, accountability, and respect, they not only inform the public but also fortify democracy itself.