By Alex Abutu
In today’s fast-paced digital era, where information is disseminated within seconds, the phrase “Breaking News” carries immense significance. It is meant to convey urgency, importance, and a sense of immediacy. However, in Nigeria’s vibrant online news landscape, this once-revered term has been diluted, abused, and reduced to a mere clickbait tool. Bloggers and online news sites, driven by the race for website traffic and social media engagement, have compromised journalistic ethics, undermining the public’s trust and distorting the concept of genuine breaking news.
Nigeria has witnessed a meteoric rise in the number of bloggers and online news sites, making it a hub for digital journalism. While this democratization of news has allowed for greater diversity of voices, it has also led to a decline in quality and credibility. The proliferation of online platforms, often operating with minimal regulation, has given rise to a culture where sensationalism and exaggeration are rewarded.
The Clickbait Culture:
To stay ahead of the competition, many Nigerian bloggers and online news sites have succumbed to the allure of clickbait. Sensationalized headlines, often adorned with the phrase “Breaking News,” are strategically crafted to pique curiosity and generate traffic. The quest for views and ad revenue has eroded the boundary between factual reporting and sensationalized storytelling. Consequently, genuine breaking news stories are overshadowed by trivial, non-urgent, or even fabricated content.
Last week, Former President Buhari handed over the baton of governance to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a televised ceremony in Abuja. Buhari’s departure from the Eagle Square, venue of the ceremony was visible for all to see but minutes later, online news site reported it as breaking news.
The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal step down the presentation of evidence by one of the parties for 10 minutes and the next thing, online news sites carried it as breaking news. By the time readers were rushing to read the news, the case has resumed.
The abuse of the phrase breaking news is countless and, on the increase, daily. President Tinubu opened the dance floor for the Presidential dinner with his wife, it is breaking news, CBN governor visits President Tinubu it is breaking news, EFFC boos visit President Tinubu another breaking news, Fuel pump prices now N540, breaking news, Peter Obi laugh at the election tribunal seating, breaking news, Peter Obi failed to show up at the tribunal, breaking news. HABA.
The Impact on Public Perception:
The abuse of the phrase “Breaking News” has far-reaching consequences for the public’s trust in online news sources. Constant exposure to exaggerated or false breaking news has desensitized audiences, leading to skepticism and apathy. The erosion of trust has severe implications for society, as citizens become less informed and more susceptible to misinformation, manipulation, and propaganda.
Ethical Responsibility and Accountability:
Bloggers and online news sites have a moral and professional obligation to uphold the principles of journalism. Ethical standards demand accurate reporting, fact-checking, and responsible use of the “Breaking News” label. Sadly, these standards are frequently ignored or sacrificed in the pursuit of online popularity. The lack of editorial oversight and self-regulation within the industry exacerbates the problem, allowing unverified or sensationalized content to spread like wildfire.
Rebuilding Trust and Restoring Integrity:
Addressing the abuse of the phrase “Breaking News” requires a multi-pronged approach. First and foremost, bloggers and online news platforms must prioritize accuracy, accountability, and responsible reporting. Implementing stringent editorial policies, fact-checking procedures, and investing in professional training are essential steps towards regaining credibility.
Additionally, media organizations and regulatory bodies must play a more active role in monitoring and penalizing deceptive practices. Collaboration between stakeholders, including journalists, educators, and policymakers, is crucial to develop guidelines and enforce ethical standards in the digital news landscape.
Conclusion:
The abuse of the phrase “Breaking News” by Nigerian bloggers and online news sites highlights the ethical crisis within the country’s digital journalism ecosystem. This distortion undermines the credibility of news outlets, erodes public trust, and hampers the public’s ability to distinguish between reliable information and sensationalized content. By refocusing on accuracy, responsibility, and transparency, Nigerian media professionals can restore the integrity of the industry and ensure that the phrase “Breaking News” regains its rightful meaning—a beacon of urgent, factual reporting that serves the public interest.