Investigating the Impact of News Commercialization on Journalistic Ethics and Audience Trust
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Date
2024
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African Journal of Social and Behavioural Sciences (AJSBS)
Abstract
The media plays a crucial role in disseminating information and shaping public
opinion. The rise of news commercialization, however, has had a significant impact on
journalistic integrity, news content, and audiences. This paper aims to explore the impact of
news commercialization on journalistic ethics and audience trust. Through an analysis of
various scholarly sources, this paper examines the influence of commercialization on
journalistic integrity, news content, and audience trust. The paper is based on the press's social
responsibility theory, which motivates media organisations to make positive contributions to
their society. The study concludes that the commercialization of news can lead to conflicts
between profit-driven journalism and ethical practices, and news organisations may prioritise
sensationalism, clickbait, and attention-grabbing headlines over balanced, fact-based reporting,
resulting in a decline in news coverage and a loss of public trust. The paper recommends that
the promotion of ethical rules should be a top priority for news organisations, ensuring the
adoption and strict adherence to these guidelines in order to protect the integrity of journalism.