Abstract:
Research has shown that many mass communication graduates have been produced
every year in Nigeria. However, only a few of them venture into journalism as a career.
Using a quantitative approach, the researcher examined the attitude of undergraduate
mass communication students of Bingham University, Nigeria, towards journalism as a
career. The population of the study consists of 300 registered 100 to 400 level students
in the Department of Mass Communication. Census method was adopted to sample the
perception of the respondents towards journalism as a career. Online questionnaire via
Google form was employed for data collection and analysis. The data were analyzed and
presented in tables and bar chart. Hinged on the Perception Theory, findings revealed
that majority (61.2%) of the participants have positive attitude towards journalism as a
career. However, further finding shows that the risky and hazardous nature of
journalism profession in Nigeria; such as killing, kidnapping, assault and discrimination
against journalists, poor remuneration among others, immensely influenced the decision
of some students to venture into other professions or careers rather than journalism after
graduation. Based on the findings, the study recommended that media organizations
and the Nigerian government should ensure adequate security for journalists on the line
of duty, provide attractive working conditions such as appropriate salaries and
allowances as well as job security and protection of the life of journalists so as to make
journalism profession more attractive to the teeming young graduates of mass
communication in Nigeria.
