JOURNALISTIC VALUES AND DEMOCRATIC REGRESSION IN NIGERIA'S DIGITAL JOURNALISM LANDSCAPE

This study examined the relationship between journalistic values and democratic regression in Nigeria's digitaljournalism landscape. The study was anchored on the democratic theory of the press and the political economy of themedia theory. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population comprised 1,200 professionaljournalists, digital media content producers, and social media editors in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as reported by theNigerian Union of Journalists (Rivers State Chapter, 2025). A sample size of 300 respondents was determined usingthe Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sample size table, while a stratified random sampling technique was employed toensure proportional representation across print, broadcast, and digital media organisations. Data were collectedthrough a structured questionnaire that measured respondents' perceptions of journalistic values, digital journalismpractices, and democratic outcomes. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies,percentages, and mean scores, alongside correlation and regression analyses to examine relationships among thevariables. The findings revealed that core journalistic values, particularly accuracy, balance, independence, and ethicalresponsibility, are moderately upheld within Nigeria's digital journalism environment. However, inconsistencies inadherence to these professional standards across digital news platforms continue to undermine media credibility andweaken journalism's democratic role. The study concluded that strengthening professional ethics and editorialstandards is essential for sustaining public trust and promoting democratic accountability. The study recommendedthat media regulatory agencies and professional bodies should intensify ethics training, strengthen monitoringmechanisms, and promote strict compliance with professional standards to enhance responsible digital journalism andsupport democratic governance in Nigeria.