Priscilla Akpanettot
It’s the official day to celebrate gentlemen (women inclusive) of the press. Like other annuals, this day comes once in a year and with it comes a lot of reflections for those practicing journalism. I often wonder whether to be excited or sad about this day because for me, it’s just like every other day. The reason is simple; it’s a day to work even more, despite the fact that it’s a day to celebrate and unwind. Yes, we will celebrate; yes, we will unwind and yes, we will still report the story of how our celebration and unwinding went (Lols). And for those who are “multipurpose” journalists as some of us “unfortunately” are, we will not only report the story but type and edit it alongside those of others (under pressure), cast headlines, blog and stay all through the production process until the published copy is out. Argh! I feel tired already! Dare go home or sleep off and you’ll be called like 50 times to confirm if the picture on the cover page is what was intended or if the cover page is grammatically in order or if so so person’s story has been included…oh my! It’s a never ending circle….the things we go through to inform, educate and entertain the public.
Journalists truly deserve to be celebrated. They bring events and happenings to limelight which would have remained unknown to the public. They hide you when the need arises and announce you when it is high time. This explains why they are often regarded as watchdogs of the society. A dog knows just when to bark, growl or be quiet and so does a journalist, in the interest of the society. Journalists are one of the most socially responsible people on earth (I’m not talking about media aides or handlers, except they are first journalists). A typical journalist knows where, when and how to “kill” with the “sword” but won’t do so. They know those who steal, pilfer and loot public funds but won’t tell you; and they know a truckload of secrets but won’t mention it, because giving out certain information will be far too detrimental than useful. We know because we see and hear first-hand. That’s the reason they are often dreaded by culprits.
Safe for people who think they are journalists because they’re loyal to some public figure who’ve blessed their hands with some gadgets, journalism would have been one of the most respected profession across the globe, for this is a profession where you genuinely seek the interest of others above yours. It is a risky profession which puts your life on the line and keeps demanding all of you. You put in your best to find out what, where, when, why and how a thing happened, and strive even more to explain your findings in unwatery Queen’s English. As a regular, you’re called to cover any event, anywhere and anytime. As a beat reporter, you’re limited to your beat but not immune from the insecurities therein. As an investigator, you or your family member (s) could be killed if your cover is blown yet, we work under one of the worse working conditions.
For all the risk and stress associated with the task of journalism, Journalists do not have a housing, health or life insurance scheme; no monetary allocation from anywhere, no access to loans from commercial banks (except for those in government employ) and no retirement benefit. Some journalists ‘work for God’ and many others work for those who ‘work for God’. You gerrit? No salary or some form of compensation to appreciate them for their tasking job. Sometimes, those who are paid ‘groundnut money’ by their media houses are placed on targets – 5 original stories per publication and you’ll be wondering what magic you’ll perform to submit 5 original stories from a take-home of N5-15,000. No be juju be dat? And then they go to an event and the organiser’s PR is also N5,000 or at most, N10,000 for an entire day of coverage. On a ‘good’ day, PR could even be the popular ‘urgent 2k’ or ‘please, I’ll get back to you’. And this could be an event one was not given the courtesy of water or any form of refreshment.
Need I mention that journalists have suffered humiliation and discrimination at events than the randy showboys? Typically, Journalists stand all through an event (morning till evening) without being given food or water and are often made to hang around after a long day’s event without being officially dismissed. I recall an occasion an interviewee and his team arrived hours behind the scheduled time for the interview and Journalists had to sit patiently in the mini conference room, in wait of the persona. He eventually arrived alongside a crowd of followers who could not all be accommodated in the mini conference hall. Almost immediately, a Commissioner who had been magnanimously offered a seat offensively remarked that it was the first time she was seeing journalists sit at an event while guests were standing. Others agreed and we had to get off the seats.
Again, on one of my recent assignments to join a monitoring team, I was asked to hop behind a Hilux van, being the only means of mobility available. I did, although grudgingly, because going back home wasn’t the best thing to do. So I adjusted my skirt and did the hopping. That one hop became the routine for the day as I had to disembark and embark at every stop the team made till they returned from the exercise. Meanwhile, the ride was one I won’t forget in a hurry. I returned sick from the dusty breeze which blew at me unapologetically.
At functions, Journalists are often harassed by bouncers, orderlies and security operatives and would readily be prevented from accessing newsmakers for confirmation of facts. So, you’ll see them bend, crawl, stoop, run or take any inconveniencing posture to have a voice recorded or take a photograph because they won’t get it standing conveniently with all the unnecessary distractions around public figures. The era of digital devices has made the task of journalism even more burdensome, no thanks to brothers and sisters who hover around public figures to record, do a video or take their pictures for personal reasons, rather than allow professionals the space to do their work for the general good.
Generally, Journalists are exempted from the scheme of things. They report all the good things happening in every ministry and sector but are hardly beneficiaries of any. You’ll hardly see a journalist among those getting the loan for farmers, scholarship or even benefiting from the newly initiated bulk purchase scheme. Sometime ago, the Governor of my State after rounding off his official speech at the grand opening ceremony of a commercial enterprise, pleaded that the press put his next conversation off-record. He made huge donations thereafter to passers-by (youths) who had stop by the event centre to watch the ongoings. Another lump sum went to female youths, the brass band and finally, the showboys. The press were circumspectly omitted.
As members of the 4th estate of the realm, Journalists are even denied access to certain places and basic information necessary for their work. Politicians especially would rather make use of their media handlers to give out one-sided press releases than subject themselves to the scrutiny of journalists. This is so they don’t support good journalism.
But all of these ill treatment has got to stop. Journalists too are humans. We deserve to be given sits at functions and everything others are entitled to. We deserve to be enrolled into the Federal and State Government’s welfare programmes. We deserve to be supported in creating a future for ourselves and our families because we’re equally humans.
A housing, health or life insurance scheme for us would not be a bad idea; neither will monthly allocation and retirement benefit. Government should be more intentional and committed to improving the lives of journalists who make it known, appreciated and supported by the people.
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