Professionalism in Journalism & Broadcasting

ENHANCING PROFESSIONALISM IN JOURNALISM AND BROADCASTING


Journalism is the job of collecting, writing and publishing news in newspapers and magazines, and on television and radio, while broadcasting is the act of sending out information by radio waves, so that it can be heard on the radio or seen on television. In other words, the former is the bedrock of the latter.

Both professions are interwoven, and had been existing for over the years. From my point of view, there’re certain issues that should be taken more seriously by the concerned professionals.

I shall begin with the issue of independence. Every practising journalist should emulate the habit of being independent; try to be yourself and don’t work to make a particular person(s) happy. Your paramount interest should be the joy of your audience or fans. Don’t work for money, rather let the reverse be the case.

On the other hand, each time you write or gather your report, try and listen to yourself. Ask yourself these questions: Is it the truth; and, will it be fair to all concerned? As you try to answer the question, promise to tell yourself nothing but the truth. Thus, you have to be sincere to your soul and mind. That’s where conscience comes in.

Confidence is another basic tool we must not forget. As a journalist, you must be courageous. Don’t be intimidated by mere threats, or don’t be scared of being threatened. Strictness should always be applied in your line of practice. And, while gathering your press report, don’t be shattered or deterred by people’s countenance. Be defensive at all times.

Most importantly, as a professional, you must abstain from gossip/propaganda. You shouldn’t take meaning from what the men of the underworlds or the laymen say, even if he happens to be your closest friend. But you can give a listening ear. Your focus/aim should be to give your audience what they need, and not what they want.

Though, sometimes their wants might correspond with their need, but you still need to depend on investigative reporting. Whatever information you receive, you still have to go an extra mile to find out the fact(s) behind the message. This’s a very great caution needed to uphold the recently approved Freedom of Information (FOI) law in Nigeria and such similar laws existing in other countries. We must say no to upheaval as we discharge our journalistic/writing prowess.

The editors are not left out. They also need to play a very vital role while applying their editorial skills or guidance. Bribery should be seen as a sadist or terror towards actualizing journalistic excellence. They must also be extremely independent. I must commend most of them; they’re really doing the job.

Please my fellow writers, let’s always apply diligence and caution in our respective endeavours; that is, in anything we write, do or say. If we see this as a priority, I bet you, the sky would always be our stepping stone; and we shall live to be honoured by all and sundry.

On the side of broadcasting which’s the product of journalism; the broadcasting firms should be independent in terms of power supply, most especially during news time. Even if there’s power supply from the national source, during the news time, they should switch over to their power generating sets. If possible, the power generators should be on as long as the station is open or available. This would drastically reduce the rate at which the broadcasters discharge apologies while in the life (transmission) studio. The above measure/approach is often required in a country where steady power supply is a mirage.

The culture of airing local news before the international ones should also be adhered to. Some of the broadcasting stations in most of the countries in the world are used to the reverse, and personally, I don’t think it’s fair to all concerned. We must learn to start from home before considering abroad.

The use of telecommunication gadgets, such as the mobile phones, in the transmission studios should be totally abolished because such act is an aberration. Most times, when news and other matters are being aired, a cell phone would be heard blaring at the background of the transmission studio (room) in use. This’s quite appalling! Even if a phone is eventually taken to such arena by the broadcaster, it should be switched off. One fateful day, I was listening to a very talented and educative programme over the radio, and along the line, a phone rang at the background. Immediately, I got disgusted and quit my interest. I believe most other people may also have such listening attitude.

The use of apology should not be undermined in event of lateness, mistake, or mispronunciation of words. ‘I beg your pardon’ might seem small or insignificant, but the truth is that, it makes a great sense (meaning) to the ears of your audience.

Airing of radio/television commercial jingles with respect to their languages ought to also be considered. A radio or television jingle built with a certain language ought to be aired when a programme of such language is on air or taking place. For instance, a jingle recorded with Igbo language should go on air when a programme of Igbo language is taking place, and not in the midst of a programme of English/Hausa language, or as the case may be.

Inter alia, both professionals (journalists/broadcasters) need to acknowledge the importance of punctuality. A gentleman of the press should arrive at the venue of an event before the stipulated time of the occasion; a second late could create a big loophole (lapse) in his/her reportage. In the same vein, a broadcaster whom was assigned or is supposed to air a particular news/programme ought to be at the studio at least thirty minutes prior to the news/programme time; he/she must take time to rehearse the news bulletin to ensure that accuracy becomes the case at the end of the day. This would also give the person in question more confidence/courage while on the microphone. More so, we shouldn’t keep our audience waiting; the news time should not be demeaned, therefore ought to be taken seriously by anyone involved. Commencing the airing of news a second after the news time could be dangerous. So, we must adhere to discipline to the core. The potential journalists/broadcasters should also take note of  all these facts.

Above all, every journalist or television broadcaster should cultivate the habit of good/decent dressing pattern. Let’s dress well to an event if we’re assigned to cover the event. On the other hand, if you have a programme to present or you need to broadcast news on the television, your dressing culture should be strictly considered. The radio broadcasters/presenters may be exempted in this case, but we all must be conscious of how we dress because millions of people out there are looking up to us. Your countenance counts!

Honestly, I must commend the practising journalists and broadcasters in most developing nations; most of them are really putting in their best in spite of the low salary syndrome faced by all. I think, this’s where the government comes in. The concerned governments should not turn their back on the people that maintain peace, unity and progress in any society where they are found. Either as an individual or as a group, if you’re not informed, you would definitely be deformed. And, journalists and broadcasters are the only answer to this, information dissemination. So, such set of people/workers ought to be honoured with tremendous working incentives such as wardrobe or transport/mobility allowance. Even those at the private sector should not be ignored; their employers should be supported by their respective governments from time to time.

For our society to be, or remain great, we must endeavour to attain perfection; though no one is or would be perfect. Think about it!

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FDN NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com