Adherence of the community press practitioners to the Journalist's Code of Ethics : an evaluation / Rommel B. Jimenez. 6

Thesis (M.A.) -- Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, 2007.;A thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate School of Arts, Sciences and Education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Communication Management. 56

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ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the adherence of the community press practitioners to the Journalist's Code of Ethics. Specifically, this study sought answers to the following problems: (1) What is the profile of the community press practitioners in Southern Metro Manila?; (2) What is the extent of the adherence of the community press practitioners to the Journalist's Code of Ethics as perceived by the practitioners and the readers?; (3) Is there a significant correlation between the profile of the community press practitioners and their adherence to the Journalist's Code of Ethics? This descriptive and analytical study used survey-questionnaires to evaluate the level of adherence of the community press practitioners to the Journalist's Code of Ethics. Taken as samples were the 16 press practitioners from the Alppa Times and the News Flash newspapers, and the 100 readers who came from heterogeneous sections in Muntinlupa. The data were collected and statistically analyzed and interpreted using the following statistical treatments: Percentage, Weighted Mean and Yates' Chi-Square Test. This study found out that among the practitioner-respondents, majority were middle-aged with no one below 30 years old. As all respondents were bereft of formal journalistic practice. Majority received salaries way below the standard minimum wage. High percentages of practitioner-respondents were also delegated with other functions aside from their primary positions/functions. This study also found that there is a difference in the perception between the Community Press Practitioners and the Readers with regards to the former's adherence to the Journalist's Code of Ethics. While the practitioners perceived themselves as highly adherent to the ethical standards in journalism, the readers perceived their adherence being just average. Among the varied profile of the community press practitioners, their position in the newspaper and their journalistic experience have registered the most number of significant correlations to their adherence to the Journalist's Code of Ethics, particularly in their observance of Accuracy, Balance, Integrity and Social Responsibility. In light of the findings of the study, the community newspaper owners must develop sustainable programs for continuing education on ethical standards and practices in journalism for the press practitioners, raise standards in the hiring / recruitment of potential practitioners, and upgrade the compensation and benefits package to attract qualified and potential practitioners to the local journalistic practice. Academic administrators, media organizations, government and non-government agencies must promote and secure the professional advancement of the community press practitioners.

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