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Journalism is not merely a profession; it is a calling, a responsibility and, sometimes, a dangerous journey where the practitioner walks between applause and condemnation, love and hatred, recognition and rejection.
Some will love you for telling the truth. Some will hate you for exposing what they desperately want to hide.
Others may even attempt to silence or eliminate you simply because your pen, microphone or camera has become too powerful for their comfort.
As Bob Marley famously said, “Who the cap fit, let them wear it.” In journalism, this expression carries a special meaning.
A journalist does not manufacture the truth; rather, he or she observes, investigates, verifies and presents facts to the public, allowing those concerned to examine themselves.
Journalism is a profession in which all eyes are constantly on you. The public watches. Governments watch. Politicians watch. Institutions watch. Powerful individuals watch. Even your colleagues watch.
Many are waiting for your next story, your next report, your next headline—and, sometimes, your next mistake.
It is a profession where a single careless word, an unverified figure, a misplaced name or an inaccurate statement can change the entire meaning of a story.
In football, a player can receive a yellow card as a warning before a red card sends him out of the game. But journalism can be far less forgiving.
Sometimes there is no yellow card. A slip of the pen can immediately become a red card.
The comparison with football is therefore compelling. I remember the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, when Nigerian midfielder Sani Kaita received a red card against Greece.
In a moment, his participation in that particular match was over, and the consequences were felt by the entire team.
Journalism can be similar. A journalist may spend years building credibility, earning public trust and establishing professional relationships, only for one serious professional error to put that reputation under immense pressure.
That is why journalism demands discipline.
A journalist must learn to verify before publishing, investigate before concluding, listen before judging and think before writing.
The pen may be small, but its consequences can be enormous.
Yet, despite all its dangers, journalism remains one of the noblest professions in society.
The journalist gives voice to the voiceless. He asks questions when others are afraid to ask. He brings hidden issues into public consciousness. He documents history as it happens. He informs citizens, scrutinises institutions and helps society distinguish between fact and falsehood.
From the newsroom to the field, from the press conference to the community, journalists often work under difficult conditions.
They travel long distances, work late hours, face hostile environments and sometimes put their personal safety at risk simply to bring information to the public.
A good journalist does not seek trouble, but neither should he run away from the truth.
There is also a beautiful side to the profession. Journalism creates friendships, opens doors, connects people and gives practitioners the privilege of meeting remarkable personalities from all walks of life.
Through journalism, one can witness history, record achievements and celebrate the contributions of ordinary people who would otherwise remain unknown.
The profession can make people love you because you tell their stories. It can make others hate you because you expose their actions. It can make some admire your courage while others question your motives.
But that is the burden and the beauty of journalism.
The journalist must therefore remain guided by truth, fairness, accuracy, courage, responsibility and professional ethics.
The greatest reward is not necessarily money or recognition. It is the knowledge that your work mattered that your report informed somebody, corrected an injustice, preserved an important moment, encouraged a good cause or gave someone a voice.
Journalism may be semi-dangerous, but society cannot afford to live without it.
A society without responsible journalism risks becoming a society where rumours become facts, propaganda becomes truth and powerful voices drown out the weak.
Therefore, we must continue to respect and protect journalists who perform their duties responsibly, while journalists themselves must understand the enormous power entrusted to them.
The microphone is powerful. The camera is powerful. The pen is even more powerful.
Use them wisely.
For every journalist, every assignment is another match, every report is another performance, and every published story is another opportunity to either strengthen or weaken the trust placed in the profession.
In journalism, there may be no yellow card for a serious mistake. So, before you write, verify. Before you publish, reflect. And before you accuse, establish the facts.
That is the responsibility of the journalist. That is the honour of the profession. And that is why, despite its risks, journalism remains one of the most courageous and indispensable professions in the world.
Kabiru Haruna Mudi Spikin, AD Press