 |
| JOHN IDUMANGE: SSA ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND RESEARCH |
CODE OF ETHICS:
Introduction
Social
media and blogs are important components of journalism. In fact it is a
phenomenon that has assumed the momentum of a revolution in Journalism.
They narrow the distance between journalists and the public. They
encourage lively, immediate and spirited discussion. They can be vital
news-gathering and news-delivery tools. It is assumed that most actors
and bloggers are journalists who should uphold the same professional and
ethical standards of fairness, accuracy, truthfulness, transparency and
independence when using social media. Practitioners must always
remember that social media postings live on as online archives. Correct
and clarify mistakes, whether they are factual mistakes or mistakes of
omission.
A media revolution on the social media sphere is
transforming, fundamentally and irrevocably, the nature of journalism
and its ethics. The implies to publish is now in the hands of citizens,
while the internet encourages new forms of journalism that are
interactive and immediate. Our media ecology is a chaotic landscape
evolving at a furious pace. Professional journalists share the
journalistic sphere with tweeters, bloggers, citizen journalists, and
social media users.
CODES AND PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL MEDIA PRACTICE
(1) OBJECTIVITY:
The Social Media Constitutes a very dynamic aspect of the mass media
.One the features of journalism Practice is objectivity-that is to
report an event, or story based on facts and without bias. Objectivity
means report the event or story as it is without fear or favour. Social
Media Practitioner must be objective to avoid libel and its attendant
legal challenges.
(2) STATEGY:
The
Social Media is a dynamic enterprise that requires investigation,
clarity, strategy. Every Social Media Practitioner should be trained to
acquire investigation capabilities, research skills, technology of the
media and a fairly good knowledge of how governmental institution work.
Social Media actors should be able to define the purpose of posting a
story or a report, or publishing news/opinion. Therefore defining the
purpose is very critical to social media practice.
(3) Ethical considerations:
Journalism at all levels and in all climes must take account of some
ethical issues. Ethical commitment is necessary for all well-crafted and
well-researched and responsible journalism. This is why Social Media
Practitioners should avoid the use of vulgar languages; the
dissemination of obscenity such as pornographic materials on face book,
MySpace, YouTube. Google plus, and any other Social media Practitioner
should not post or published pictures of people with sexually
provocative dresses; nude pictures or sex related videos. Similarly,
Social Media Practitioners are expected to be careful when culturally
contemptuous issues and religiously sensitive matters are being
reported. Recognizing the sensitive nature of religious, and culture,
such matters should be reported with utmost caution. There are laws in
the Nigeria Constitution that control and outlaw obscenity in order to
uphold and maintain public morality. There is also a huge range of laws
in media law and ethics that prevent snooping divulging of office
secrets and pornography. Social Media Practitioners should also get
themselves acquainted with literature on media law and ethics,
plagiarism is also an offence. Bloggers should at all times cite
authorities of such works/write-up and ideas are not original.
(4) GENUINESS:
Communication
is like pouring out ones inner intentions. Social Media Practitioners
and bloggers always speak their mind outline in matters of
socio-economic and political importance. Some comments are usually made
without verification, as some verses are borne out of political
idiosyncrasies. This has become a huge challenge because there are no
standard guidelines for bloggers and practitioners .Therefore if the
intention of a social Media actor is not genuine soon; it degenerates
into monumental errors not consistent with the principals of accuracy,
verifiability and transparency.
(5) RUMOURS & UNCONFIRMED REPORTS:
At
no platform does rumour and unconfirmed reports spread like wild fire
as in the Social Media. On the social media platform, spread puts
pressure on bloggers to publish their stories, most often with half
truths, and outright falsehood. False reports circulate the main media
with incredible speed via Twitter, YouTube, Face book, blogs and cell
phones. Even major news organizations too often pick up rumours online
and spread their with amazing speed. Distorted reports and rumours
causes panic, accidents and ultimately chaos. This is why Social Media
actors to be meticulous, circumspect and very careful in reporting
“live” events such as sports, accidents, braking stories and riots. We
should ask question around a particular subject that is reported by a
person who is anonymous. We must guard against the use of social media.
Again rumours are more attractive because of the rapid decline in the
leadership of mainstream media, as the newsroom has continued to shrink.
Those who engage in entrepreneurial journalism tend to peddle rumours
to score political points.
(6) ETHICS OF IMAGES:
With
sophisticated technology such as Photoshop, some bloggers manipulate
images such as photographs, video clips via wireless technology .Social
media actors and bloggers in the cyber space should be weary of
capturing, manipulating or transmitting such materials. There are
traditional principles of photojournalism that forbids the
indiscriminate use of photos, images and videos. The deliberate
manipulation of image or with a view to causing mischief, or to tarnish a
person’s image or course disaffection or bring a person to disrepute is
a crime and actionable in a court of law. This should be avoided.
Before
you use a video or a photograph, you may pose questions like: What is
the source of the video or photograph? Who wrote the comment and what
was the motivation for posting it?. Does the source have the legal right
to the material posted? Did that person take the photograph or capture
the video? Has the photograph or video been manipulated? Have we checked
to see if the metadata attached to the image reveals that it has been
altered?
(7)
. Anonymity:
Anonymity
is accepted more readily online than in mainstream news media.
Newspapers usually require the writers of letters to the editor to
identify themselves. Codes of mainstream media ethics caution
journalists to use anonymous sources sparingly and only if certain rules
are followed. The codes warn journalists that people may use anonymity
to take unfair or untrue “photo shots” at other people, for
self-interest reasons. Online, many commentary and “chat” areas do not
require anonymity. Online users resist demands from web site and blogs
to register and identify them. Anonymity is praised as allowing freedom
of speech and sometimes helping to expose wrong doing. Critics say it
encourages irresponsible and harmful comments. Mainstream media
contradict themselves when they allow anonymity online but refuse
anonymity in their newspapers and broadcast programs.
8. TRUTH AND FAIRNESS:
Social
media comments essays and postings should meet the same standards of
fairness, accuracy and attribution that you apply to your on-air or
digital platforms. Information gleaned online should be confirmed just
as you must confirm scanner traffic or phone tips before reporting them.
If you cannot independently confirm critical information, reveal your
sources; tell the public how you know what you know and what you cannot
confirm. Don’t stop there. Keep seeking confirmation. This guideline is
the same for covering breaking news on station websites as on the air.
You should not leave the public “hanging.” Lead the public to
completeness and understanding of whatever you are trying to butress.
9. ACCOUNTABILITY & TRANSPARENCY:
We should not write anonymously or use an avatar or username that
cloaks your real identity on newsroom or personal websites. You are
responsible for everything you say. Commenting or blogging anonymously
compromises this core principle. Actors and practitioners are advised to
be careful careful when you are writing, Tweeting or blogging about a
topic that you or your newsroom covers. Editorializing about a topic or
person can reveal your personal feelings. It therefore follows that
Biased comments could be used in a court of law to demonstrate a
predisposition, or even malicious intent, in a libel action against the
news organization, even for an unrelated story. We need to be careful
when registering for social network sites. Pay attention to how the
public may interpret Facebook information that describes your
relationship status, age, sexual preference and political or religious
views.
Also keep in mind that when you join an online group, the
public may perceive that you support that group. Be prepared to justify
your membership. We should avoid posting photos or any other content on
any website, blog, social network or ideo/photo sharing website that
might embarrass you or undermine your journalistic credibility. Bloggers
and journalists who use social media often engage readers in a lively
give-and-take of ideas. Never insult or disparage readers. Try to create
a respectful, informed dialogue while avoiding personal attacks.
THE
CODE OF ETHICS WILL BE ELABORATED AND PRINTED IN THE FORM OF A PAMPHLET
TO SERVE AS A GUIDE TO SOCIAL MEDIA ACTORS & PRACTITIONERS IN
BAYELSA STATE
Idumange John
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Bayelsa State on Research & Social Media
References
Ess Charles. Digital Media Ethics. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2009.
Friend, Cecilia and Jane Singer (2007) Online Journalism Ethics: Traditions and Transitions. Armonk, N.Y.: M. E. Sharpe,
Henry Omoregie ( 2012) Discussions on May 2, 2012 at the Inauguration of Social Media Actors” Port Harcourt (Unpublished)
Ward, Stephen J. A. “Ethics for the New Mainstream.” In The New Journalist: Roles, Skills, and Critical Thinking, eds. Paul Benedetti, Tim Currie and Kim Kierans, pp. 313-326. Toronto: Emond Montgomery Publications, 2010.
Ward, Stephen J. A. “Ethics for the New Investigative Newsroom
 |
| HENRY OMOREGIE DELIVERING A TALK AT THE EVENT |
 |
| SAINT MIENPAMO ONITSHA RECEIVING HIS AWARD FROM THE SSA |
 |
| Nworisara & John at the same event in Port Harcourt |
 |
| PRINCE CRISPUS RECEIVING HIS AWARD FROM THE SSA |
 |
| CERTIFICATE OF MERIT FOR SOCIAL MEDIA PRACTITIONERS IN BYS |
