LONG LIVE THE SPIRIT OF JOURNALISM

 As a journalism student in training at a university level, it doesn’t sit well with me to hear what we study might not be relevant in the near future. The current changes within the journalism profession has threatened and closed potential media houses in recent years and continues without fail. Journalism is a profession that acts as a watchdog in our societies and shape the course of life through educating and informing the societies of the world around them. What will become of our societies if this profession is let to decay?

An improvement in an error of time shouldn’t be so disastrous by deliberately sweeping the existence of the only profession whose moral obligation is to serve society with the utmost profound purpose. The clear message even from the authorities is the strife and unjust laws imposed to journalism which seeks to limit its work and freedom. The recent turn of events by which journalism has taken is already reflecting badly in our society. Who will tell the stories of devastation and bring to light the suffering of children and deteriorating living conditions in our communities? We are living in the error of corruption, the period of unethical politics and disregard of rights of innocent people whose lives depend on the voice of our journalism. What will become of them, the innocent and the vulnerable citizens? This hostility imposed on media doesn’t only affect the professionals who do the work, but disturbs at all the live-hood of those whom journalism help to shed light and hope in their lives. Technology has always evolved and journalism survived through the ages, but the agenda machinery which seeks to render journalism less effective and powerless in the eyes of the public, is not only doing injustice to our freedom and democracy but slowly seizing power from the people.

Who stands to gain when journalism is no longer able to execute its duties of fighting for truth, justice and equality? The truth is, the cabal behind the extinction of journalism is the same exploiters of our societies, whose agenda is to protect their private interest. The polarizing effect imposed on journalism through social media platforms and sneering falsehoods is the ammunition to intercept and neutralize its influence, in the hope to collapse public trust. This is the age where journalism unprecedentedly caught up with the filth of the ages, and has made certain communities uncomfortable with its advances and precision to uncover dirt. This community of exploiters come out the loudest to intimidate journalists and media away from digging and exposing them for what they are. The plight of journalism is not only the intimidations by those with dirt to hide, but also having to operate within shrinked thinning lines of the law. The arrival of the new technology has been used as the root cause of the problem, where several media workers lost their jobs, media houses closing down, journalists attacked while performing their duties. Does this mean the beginning of the end of journalism? What shape will the country take without the support of strong and effective journalists? The society needs journalism for its well-being and mediation. The forces behind the extinction are cunning fearful lot of oppressors whose wealthy and power has won their souls and conscience. The conditions of living in our societies deteriorate every day. The work of the media is to ensure accountability within the ranks of the state, and ensure freedom and democracy is maintained at its best and people benefit from it. What will happen to the needy, who can’t fight their battles against injustice? As society of good people, we can join together as one and ensure journalism is protected at all costs. The bad must be exposed and people must continue to live and enjoy freedom and democracy which doesn’t look at people’s societal status but at human beings in their entirety. Let justice triumph over injustice, discrimination and the bad ass rulers of our time. When good people get together for a good cause, no amount of evil can prosper, long live the spirit of journalism

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