Journalists Perception of Brown Envelope Syndrome in Calabar Metropolis

ABSTRACT

The study investigated the public’s perception of brown envelope syndrome amongst journalists with a specific focus on the Nigerian Chronicle newspaper. Its major objectives were to examine what the public perceives as reasons responsible for the acceptance of brown envelope by journalists, to ascertain the problems created by brown envelope for Journalism practice, and to identify ways of curbing the menace of brown envelope syndrome, particularly, in the Nigerian Chronicle. To achieve the aforementioned objectives, research questions were formulated to direct the study. Related literatures were also reviewed and the individual differences theory was employed as the theoretical framework. The study employed the survey method with the questionnaire as research instrument. Through Taro Yamane Formula and Multistage sampling approach, 399 respondents were selected from Calabar Metropolis and administered with the questionnaire. The findings indicated among other things, that indiscipline, greed and selfishness as well as poor remuneration are the causes of the acceptance of brown envelope by journalists. The study also found out that the issue of brown envelope in journalism has led to loss of confidence on the Press by the populace, hence, the need for the media professional bodies to address the issue through awareness and sensitization programmes that warns against such unprofessional practice. In the light of the findings, the study recommended that the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other media professional bodies should ensure that there is real unionism in the profession by ensuring that journalists’ rights are not trampled upon. These bodies should also put in place a mechanism for the negotiation of a better pay package for journalists. The study also recommended sound education and professional training of journalists in order to serve as a good antidote for solving the problem of brown envelope.