INFLUENCE OF NEWS COMMERCIALIZATION ON THE NEWS CREDIBILITY IN BROADCAST MEDIA.

Abstract
This study investigates the news commercialization and media credibility with special reference to Journalists in Minna Metropolis. The quantitative survey design was used. The population comprised of Journalists in Minna Metropolis. The researchers employed Taro Yame’s formula to sample size out 384 respondents which formed the sample frame. Questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. The questionnaires were administered among 384 people in Minna Metropolis who were purposively selected on the basis of on-the-job experience. All the questionnaires distributed were duly filled and retrieved by the researchers. Data gathered were presented using tables while frequency counts and simple percentages were used for analysis and interpretation. Findings revealed News commercialization affects objectivity and balance in reporting. The study further revealed that poor remuneration, personal greed and corruption are some of the reasons why news commercialization strives. Some of the recommendations proffered for reversing this trend are: Media professional bodies should be serious in maintaining ethics in the media industry by sanctioning defaulting journalists to ensure that journalism practitioners adhere to laid down codes of practice, sound education and professional training of journalists should be provided this will serve as a good antidote for solving the problem of news commercialization.