Journalist Professionalism in Radio Broadcasting: Integrating Ethical Reporting, Accuracy, and Editorial Commitment

Sulistian Damayanti; Miladiyah; Nur Abnisah; Khadijah; Susanti Hasibuan

doi:10.61987/jemr.v5i4.2570

Authors

Sulistian Damayanti Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri Mandailing Natal
Miladiyah Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri Mandailing Natal
Nur Abnisah Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri Mandailing Natal
Khadijah Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri Mandailing Natal
Susanti Hasibuan Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri Mandailing Natal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61987/jemr.v5i4.2570

Keywords:

Journalist Professionalism, Journalistic Ethics, Reporting Accuracy

Abstract

This study aims to analyze journalist professionalism in maintaining ethical reporting and accuracy in radio broadcasting. The research employed a qualitative approach using a descriptive method. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with key informants, including the editor-in-chief, journalists, and radio management. The study focused on the implementation of journalistic ethics, reporting accuracy as an indicator of professionalism, and the factors that support and hinder professional journalistic practices. The findings reveal that journalistic ethics are implemented through the principles of independence, balance, separation of facts from opinions, respect for sources, and compliance with professional ethical and broadcasting standards. In terms of accuracy, journalists apply systematic verification procedures, source confirmation, and structured news script preparation based on the 5W+1H framework. Although journalists face challenges such as time constraints, limited human resources, and the rapid flow of digital information, ethical standards and accuracy remain higher priorities than broadcasting speed. The study implies that journalist professionalism is shaped not only by individual competence but also by an effective editorial system and strong institutional commitment to ethical standards and verification practices. These factors play a crucial role in maintaining media credibility and public trust.

References

Azizeh Mukarromah, & Umar Manshur, A. H. A. R. (2025). Digital Transformation in Islamic Religious Education: Trend or Necessity in the Post-Pandemic Era. Indonesian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 4(1), 85–99.

Bastian, M., Helberger, N., & Makhortykh, M. (2021). Safeguarding the Journalistic DNA: Attitudes Towards the Role of Professional Values in Algorithmic News Recommender Designs. Digital Journalism, 9(6), 835–863. https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2021.1912622

Bôtošová, Ľ., Brník, A., Levak, T., & Kupec, V. (2023). Ethical and Legislative Standards in the Environment of Radio Broadcasters and Their Application into Practice. Studies in Media and Communication, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.11114/smc.v11i1.5743

Bouncken, R., Czakon, W., & Schmitt, F. (2025). Purposeful Sampling and Saturation in Qualitative Research Methodologies: Recommendations and Review. Review of Managerial Science, 20, 579–615. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-025-00881-2

Cools, H., & Diakopoulos, N. (2024). Uses of Generative AI in the Newsroom: Mapping Journalists’ Perceptions of Perils and Possibilities. Journalism Practice, 20, 878–896. https://doi.org/10.1080/17512786.2024.2394558

Gollmitzer, M. (2021). Journalism Ethics with Foucault: Casually Employed Journalists’ Constructions of Professional Integrity. Journalism, 24(5), 1015–1033. https://doi.org/10.1177/14648849211036301

Gutiérrez-Caneda, B., Lindén, C.-G., & Vázquez-Herrero, J. (2024). Ethics and Journalistic Challenges in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Talking with Professionals and Experts. Frontiers in Communication, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2024.1465178

Hall, S., & Liebenberg, L. (2024). Qualitative Description as an Introductory Method to Qualitative Research for Master’s-Level Students and Research Trainees. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 23. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069241242264

Himma-Kadakas, M., & Ojamets, I. (2022). Debunking False Information: Investigating Journalists’ Fact-Checking Skills. Digital Journalism, 10(5), 866–887. https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2022.2043173

Hussen, B. T., & Onia, S. I. (2024). Enhancing the Quality of Education Through Effective Governance in Higher Education. Indonesian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 3(2), 73–85.

Inayat, S., & Younas, A. (2025). Choosing an Analytical Approach in Qualitative Descriptive Studies. Creative Nursing, 31(4), 438–439. https://doi.org/10.1177/10784535251390542

Jones, B., Jones, R., & Luger, E. (2022). AI ‘Everywhere and Nowhere’: Addressing the AI Intelligibility Problem in Public Service Journalism. Digital Journalism, 10(10), 1731–1755. https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2022.2145328

Lopez, M. G., Porlezza, C., Cooper, G., Makri, S., MacFarlane, A., & Missaoui, S. (2022). A Question of Design: Strategies for Embedding AI-Driven Tools into Journalistic Work Routines. Digital Journalism, 11(3), 484–503. https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2022.2043759

Mellado, C., Blanchett, N., Stępińska, A., Mothes, C., Lecheler, S., Blanco-Herrero, D., Chen, Y.-N. K., Cohen, A., Davydov, S., De Maio, M., Dingerkus, F., Elhamy, H., Garcés-Prettel, M., Gousset, C., Hallin, D., Humanes, M., Himma-Kadakas, M., Kozman, C., Lee, M., ... Zhao, X. (2023). Does News Platform Matter? Comparing Online Journalistic Role Performance to Newspaper, Radio, and Television. Digital Journalism, 12(3), 376–399. https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2023.2191332

Mellado, C., & Hermida, A. (2021). A Conceptual Framework for Journalistic Identity on Social Media: How the Personal and Professional Contribute to Power and Profit. Digital Journalism, 10(2), 284–299. https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2021.1907203

Muslichuddin, M., Khoirun, F., Aminudin, A., & Hasanah, N. (2025). The Influence of Al-Quran Reading Fluency and Self-Confidence on the Reading Mastery of Islamic Boarding School. Indonesian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 4(2), 258–269.

Opdahl, A. L., Tessem, B., Dang-Nguyen, D.-T., Motta, E., Setty, V., Throndsen, E., Tverberg, A., & Trattner, C. (2023). Trustworthy Journalism Through AI. Data & Knowledge Engineering, 146, Article 102182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.datak.2023.102182

Paik, S. (2023). Journalism Ethics for the Algorithmic Era. Digital Journalism, 13(4), 696–722. https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2023.2200195

Perreault, M., & Perreault, G. (2021). Journalists on COVID-19 Journalism: Communication Ecology of Pandemic Reporting. American Behavioral Scientist, 65(7), 976–991. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764221992813

Schmidt, T. (2023). Challenging Journalistic Objectivity: How Journalists of Color Call for a Reckoning. Journalism, 25(3), 547–564. https://doi.org/10.1177/14648849231160997

Shah, S., Ginossar, T., & Ittefaq, M. (2021). “We Always Report Under Pressure”: Professionalism and Journalistic Identity Among Regional Journalists in a Conflict Zone. Journalism, 24(4), 709–728. https://doi.org/10.1177/14648849211050442

Shi, Y., & Sun, L. (2024). How Generative AI Is Transforming Journalism: Development, Application and Ethics. Journalism and Media, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia5020039

Sonni, A. F., Hafied, H., Irwanto, I., & Latuheru, R. (2024). Digital Newsroom Transformation: A Systematic Review of the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Journalistic Practices, News Narratives, and Ethical Challenges. Journalism and Media, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia5040097

Spurk, C., & Katunzi, A. (2023). The Quality of Radio Journalism in Tanzania: Empowering Citizens or at a Crossroads? Journalism, 25(9), 1977–1998. https://doi.org/10.1177/14648849231214051

Van Dalen, A. (2024). Revisiting the Algorithms Behind the Headlines: How Journalists Respond to Professional Competition of Generative AI. Journalism Practice, 20, 897–914. https://doi.org/10.1080/17512786.2024.2389209

Watson, A. (2024). Reporting on Europe’s Migration ‘Crisis’ for BBC Radio 4: Journalists and the Geopolitics of Storytelling. Geopolitics, 30(2), 465–497. https://doi.org/10.1080/14650045.2024.2379314

Weyant, E. (2022). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (5th ed.). Journal of Electronic Resources in Medical Libraries, 19(1–2), 54–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/15424065.2022.2046231

Younas, A., & Inayat, S. (2024). Choosing an Analytical Approach in Case Study Research. Creative Nursing, 31(1), 90–92. https://doi.org/10.1177/10784535241306773