Precision Journalism And Sensationalism

The broad objective of this study is to critically assess precision journalism and sensationalism using Daily Sun and Daily Independent newspapers as case study. The researcher employed the survey research design, employing both quantitative and qualitative approach. Daily sun and daily independent newspapers were the selected newspapers and with the aid of convenient sampling two hundred and eighty (280) participant were selected for the study using convenience sampling method. Self-constructed questionnaire was issued to the participant of which two hundred and sixty-one (261) was validated for the study. Data was analyzed using simple percentage and content analysis presented in frequencies and tables. Findings of the study reveals that elements of sensationalism in both newspapers includes scary headlines, misleading headlines, infusion of opinion, exaggeration and bias, dramatic appeal and lavish use of photos. Furthermore that the main motive for media sensation is hinged on the quest of gaining audience"s attention, to gain more readership, to attain high audience rating and to make more sales. The study therefor conclude that precision journalism is necessary for modern days journalism rather than sensationalism because it appeal to a sophisticated audience, it helps media use appropriate methods to quantify and to show the public the magnitude of social problems and it keep the readers focused on the relevant without unnecessary drama. The study recommends that journalists should avoid sensationalism by abiding strictly to the rules of straight news reporting. Headlines should be cast in ways consistent with the profession"s ethics. Adherence to media code of ethics, choosing words carefully to present news such that it is not skewed, avoidance of bias in reporting and above all presenting reports within appropriate contexts as defined by statutes, legality, evidence, obligation and responsibility.

1.1 Introduction

The idea of precision journalism grew out of the need for effective gathering, processing and dissemination of information, revealing its exactness and precision. Philip Meyer (2002); establishes that precision journalism covers a new and ongoing trend the use by reporters of social science research techniques to increases the depth and accuracy of major stories. Supporting the view, Adenze (2005); remarks that precision journalism seeks to show measures, so dynamic of using new technology to analyze data and provide more precise information in easier-to-understand forms.

However, Udobong (2002); remarks that the idea of precision journalism and conformed to the issue of precision journalism is often sensationalism. It is a manner of over-hyping events, being deliberately controversial, loud, self-centered or acting to obtain attention. It is also a form of theatre in the mass media.

Supporting the view, Nnama (1988) in Uwakwe (2005) say that sensationalism is commonly used reference to the mass media critics, of media bias and of all political stripes often to propel patronage and preference. In this sense, media outlets often choose to report heavily on stories with shock value or attention grabbing names or events, rather than reporting on more pressing issues to the general public.

Patnes smith (1998:112) says:

In the extreme case, the media would report the news of it makes a good story, without much regard for the factual accuracy or social release. Thus, a press release inducing radiations and false pseudo scientific claims issued by a controversial group is guaranteed a lot of media coverage.

The centenaries added that such stories are often prepared rightfully or mistakenly as partisan or based due to the sensational nature in which they are reported. A media organization may report on a political figure in a based way or present one side of an issue while neglecting another or neutrally. It may simply include sensational aspects such as zealots, doomsayers and or/Junk science.

Adinze (2000); says that complex subjects and affairs are often subject to sensationalism. Exciting and emotionally charged aspects can be drawn out without providing elements such as pertinent background, investigative or contextual information needed for the viewers to form his or her opinion.

Ababa (2005); also adds that the subject mainstream media may choose a comedy site as of news source and then proceed to display its content without any factual checks. Emphasizing on the goals of sensationalism in precision journalism, Wak Dicks (1988:112) says that:

One presumed goals of sensational reporting is increase for sustained readership or viewership which can be sold to advertisers. The result is a lesser focus on proper journalism and a greater focus on the "juicy" aspects of a story that pull in a large share of audience.

Be it as it may, precision journalism seeks to reveal. The exactness in reporting and significant imperatives involved. However, sensationalism is often blamed for the "entertainment style" of many of the news programs broadcast over radio and television, yet the news has always been enjoyed for as long as it has been exchanged.

(Stephens, 2006:15) remarks that the rebate of sensationalism used in the mass medium is based on a misunderstanding of its audience especially the television audience. Furthermore, while the newspaper is often seen as a more credible source than television news because of televisions use of footage over spoken information, they are both sensationalized to the same extent.

Marcus (1992); also comments that television news in restricted to showing the sense of crimes rather than the crime itself, whereas newspapers writers can always recall what they did not witness "no act of violence is beyond the reach of the still formidable magic of words") Stephens 2006:280.

Therefore, in assessing the infiltration of sensationalism in precision journalism in the Daily Sun and Daily Independent newspapers, the extreme of concern is on the level of patronage and preference.

1.2 Background of the Study

This study on precision journalism and sensationalism examines comparatively two outstanding Nigerian Newspapers in published by the sun publishing limited. The sun publishing limited was incorporated on March 29, 2001 to undertake the business of printing to publishing. The company"s the sun title joined the swelling ranks of the ever-vibrant Nigerian press on Saturday, January 18 2003 as a weekly and June 16, 2003 as a daily paper. It targets the young adults.

The daily sun newspaper is owned by Chief Orji Uzor Kalu. This presupposes that the paper"s choice of news stories and editorials must always be in affirmation and dictated of the owner and chief financier. It is predominantly published to treat the course of the south east people in Nigeria. It"s operational and corporate headquarters is at Lagos.

The daily independent newspaper is also a privately owned newspaper whose choice of news stories and direction of editorials is privately determined. It has its corporate headquarters at Lagos state with the managerial structure seeking to portray a typical newspaper outfit. Therefore, this research studies both the daily sun and daily independent newspapers respectively.

1.3 Statement of Problem

Every aspect of journalism is traditionally billed to be objective, precise and thorough. This presupposes that an ideal journalism is an investigative, interpretative and objective reporting of events for the audience members.

Perhaps, significant disregard to the importance of effective journalism, demand precision journalism under the new precision journalism, a journalist is expected to employ all the basic elements of social science to present news stories such stories must reveal exactness, objectify and clarity.

But over the years, sensationalism has equally been introduced into the drive. This primarily seeks to over-hype the basis of news stories, presenting such with increasing emotional desires. It is therefore uncertain whether the introduction of sensationalism allows for increasing patronage. If it does, what are the kind marks of sensationalism in precision journalism? of what importance is sensational reporting in new precision journalism?

1.4 Objectives of the Study

This study seeked to:

Assess the elements of sensationalism in news reporting of daily sun and daily independent newspapers.

Find out the role of sensationalism in new journalism in the two newspapers studied.

Assess the various methods of precision journalism employed by the two newspapers.

Assess the importance of precision in modern journalism.

Assess whether sensational reporting ignites newspaper readership in the two newspapers.

1.5 Research Questions

This study raises the following questions.

What are the elements of sensationalism in news reporting of daily sun and daily independent newspapers.

What are the roles of sensationalism in new journalism in the two newspapers?

What are the various methods of precision journalism employed by the two newspapers?

What are the importance of precision in modern journalism?

Does sensational reporting ignite readership in the two newspapers?

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is expected to be of tremendous usefulness to the practice of journalism. There is no significant relationship between sensationalism and modern precision journalist. This is imperative because it will revel the dynamics of new precision there is no significant relationship between sensationalism and modern precision journalism and sensational journalism.

Moreover, the findings of this study is also expected to introduce new parlance and methods of effective precision journalism. By so doing, journalist, practitioners in the media and students of journalism will gladly appreciate the importance of sensationalism and precision in modern day journalism.

Above all, this study will instigate researches on related discipline by serving as a measure of secondary data collection.

1.7 Scope of the Study

There are many issues in modern day journalism, but this study is limited to only precision journalism and sensationalism. By precision journalism, it looks at the exactness and precision attached to news coverage. Sensationalism on the other hand looks at the over gratification of news stories to achieved the desire results.

Summary Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1 Summary

The broad objective of this study is to critically assess precision journalism and sensationalism using Daily Sun and Daily Independent newspapers as case study. The study assessed the elements of sensationalism in news reporting of daily sun and daily independent newspapers, explained the role of sensationalism in new journalism in the two newspapers studied, examined the various methods of precision journalism employed by the two newspapers, investigated the importance of precision in modern journalism and ascertained whether sensational reporting ignites newspaper readership in the two newspapers.

The researcher employed the survey research design, employing both quantitative and qualitative approach. Daily sun and daily independent newspapers were the selected newspapers and with the aid of convenient sampling two hundred and eighty (280) participant were selected for the study using convenience sampling method. Self-constructed questionnaire was issued to the participant of which two hundred and sixty-one (261) was validated for the study. Data was analyzed using simple percentage and content analysis presented in frequencies and tables.

5.2 Conclusion

The issue of sensationalism in the media is both an ethical and a theoretical one. How does one explain the practice whereby the media in devoting attention to "serious" areas like politics, economics, and society sensationalise the news reports in much the same way it frames reports on diversions like sports, scandal, and popular entertainment, thepersonal and private lives of people, both celebrities and ordinary people? It all boils down to the media framing theory of communication.No matter the reasons for sensationalizing news, no matter who takes the blame in the blame game, the issue of sensationalism cannot be discussed without taking into account the views currently gathering momentum that news is a construction; a frame, packaged by news producers and journalists to advance one kind of interest and another or one ideology or the other.

Findings of the study reveals that elements of sensationalism in both newspapers includes scary headlines, misleading headlines,infusion of opinion, exaggeration and bias, dramatic appeal and lavish use of photos. Furthermore that the main motive for media sensation is hinged on the quest of gaining audience"s attention,to gain more readership, to attain high audience rating and to make more sales.

The study therefor conclude that precision journalism is necessary for modern days journalism rather than sensationalism because it appeal to a sophisticated audience, it enables the media to provide more and better attention to important issues, it helps media use appropriate methods to quantify and to show the public the magnitude of social problems and it keep the readers focused on the relevant without unnecessary drama.

5.3 Recommendation

Base on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made:

Journalists should avoid sensationalizing news stories. Though they are gate-keepers, whatever they select to put out should be objectivity based which is against sensationalism. They should abide by the strict rules of straight news reporting which requires them to present the facts as they are without colouration and or injecting their own opinions or judgement into such news stories. They owe the readers the ethical obligation of presenting the news as it happened. Though news is a recreation of what happened, it should be done based strictly on what happened and the way it did happen.

Journalists should remember that they have a responsibility for keeping society together. As a result where sources use certain words or statements, the journalists should endeavour to use their moderating influence in toning down such statements or words in line with the ethics of their profession. Once this is adhered to the issue of sensationalism would be reduced thereby promoting objectivity in reporting.

Journalists should cast headlines such that they agree with the body of the news story both in context and content as defined by evidence, obligation and responsibility. A situation where a word is used in casting a headline and such a word has no bearing with the story should be avoided as was seen in the research. The content of the headline should be a part of the story itself instead of their being incongruous.

• Mass Communication Project Topics and Materials