AVOIDING THE LEXICON OF SEXIST EXPRESSIONS IN MEDIA PRACTICE: A BANE OR BOON IN NIGERIAN MEDIA INDUSTRY

Abstract

This paper titled “Avoiding the Lexicon of Sexist Expressions in Media Practice: A bane or boon in Nigerian Media Industry" is aimed to identify sexist-based language or sexist expressions in journalistic contents of Nigerian mass media which have continuously stereotyped or placed value on one gender against the opposite as against the canons of journalism and media ethics. This media style has become a source of worry to many media critics and scholars hence the paper finds relevance in social responsibility theory of the press and structural-functionalism theory as its theoretical foundation. This paper adopted descriptive and desk research methods using four National Dailies in Nigeria and five radio stations within the months of May, June and July, 2023. The paper revealed that Nigerian media are preoccupied with sexist expressions such as: gunmen, men of the underworld, unknown gunmen, pressmen, presidential spokesman, cameraman, policeman, newsmen, barman, airhostess, workmen, salesgirl, gentleman’s agreement, gentlemen of the press, foremen, businessman, fireman, mailman, manmade, mankind, etc., which are clear manifestations of sexist language. The paper therefore, advocates for alternative expressions devoid of sexist language or sexism to eliminate gender stereotyping, media driven gender-based violence, disparaging, maligning, labeling and stigmatizing of one sex in favour of the opposite in journalistic content by members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm in the vineyard of media industry. The paper also advocates for avoidance of idiolects with elements of sexism in news production and- reportage. Media houses should also avoid the use of sexist expressions in their stylebooks and editorial policies to promote objectivity, ethicality, professionalism and patriotism in media practice. Journalistic content developers should also avoid using ‘he’ for both sex when ‘he or she’ or ‘they’ as a singular bisexual pronoun is more accurate.