Ethical implications of brown envelope: perspectives of journalists and public relations officers in Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This research shows perception of journalists and public relations officers towards the brown envelope phenomenon in Tanzania. The study also shows the brown envelope practices and its impact in the day to day journalism practice in Tanzania. This study was guided by three central questions: To what extent is the brown envelope phenomenon prevalent among journalists in Tanzania; (b) how do journalists and PROs perceive brown envelope phenomenon; (c) why do PROs feel compelled to give brown envelopes to journalists and why do journalists accept/solicit such brown envelopes? Information was collected using close-ended with a few open-ended questions for extracting more information on how both journalists and public relations officers perceive brown envelope phenomenon. The findings shows that although “brown envelope” is termed unethical and the Media Council of Tanzania code of conduct contains provisions against it, it is perceived to have neither influence in news nor effect on objectivity. The study concludes that journalists perceive brown envelope journalism as a good thing because it helps to facilitate their work in the environment where most of them are lowly paid. Furthermore, the study has established that the brown envelope phenomenon is a common practice among journalists who justify it as long as they do not demand for it. The researcher recommends that media houses should provide frequent training to journalists on the impact of brown envelope journalism to create an awareness of the possible impact in the editorial independence of the media. Media houses should also improve work conditions of their journalists.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class Mark (THS EAF PN4756.T34M69)
Keywords
Journalism, Journalistic ethics, Tanzania
Citation
Mnyanyika, V (2013) Ethical implications of brown envelope: perspectives of journalists and public relations officers in Tanzania, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam