The Effect of News Commerzialization on News Credibility in the Broadcast Media

This study investigates the effect of news commercialization on news credibility in the broadcast media with special reference to Rave F. M. osogbo. The main objective is to find out how the audience in Osun State view broadcast news contents, to ascertain the views of the audience on the credibility of broadcast news contents, the research question is how does the audience in Osun State view broadcast news contents? what are the views of the audience in Osun State on the credibility of broadcast news contents? Agenda setting theory and social responsibility theory. The quantitative survey design was used. The population comprised of Journalists in Rave F. M. osogbo which are about 150. The researchers employed sample size of 150 Journalists which formed the sample frame. Questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. The questionnaires were administered among 150 Journalists in Rave F. M. osogbo registered under NUJ who were purposively selected on the basis of on-the-job experience. All the 150 questionnaires distributed were duly filled and retrieved by the researchers. Data gathered were presented using tables while frequency counts and simple percentages were used for analysis and interpretation. Findings revealed News commercialization affects objectivity and balance in reporting. The study further revealed that poor remuneration, personal greed and corruption are some of the reasons why news commercialization strives. Some of the recommendations proffered for reversing this trend are: Media professional bodies should be serious in maintaining ethics in the media industry by sanctioning defaulting journalists to ensure that journalism practitioners adhere to laid down codes of practice, sound education and professional training of journalists should be provided this will serve as a good antidote for solving the problem of news commercialization.