Journalists and their information
The cardinal function of a journalist, they say, is firstly to inform, but the emphasis here is on accuracy. The journalist has the sacred responsibility to inform the public accurately, giving due regard to ‘facts’ as obtained from ‘a reliable source’. This is the first social function of a journalist. (Photo: Adeyemi Paul, author, and CEO Sierra Express Media)
The second function is to educate. It is usually said that for one to educate others one has to be educated. This means in essence that before a journalist broadcasts or publishes anything he or she should know what he or she is saying. If a journalist does not know or understand the subject matter, he or she should cease to publish or broadcast. In other words, if you are not grounded in your subject matter, then stay put, so to speak.
For instance, if a journalist does not understand the meaning or the spelling of a particular word or expression, or how to pronounce a particular word, as it has happened in several instances, the journalist must endeavour to check the dictionary or consult others rather than assume and do the wrong thing.
Apparently, a good journalist endeavors to get a bit of education or knowledge of the things he or she wants others to know. As a journalist, don’t say or write things you yourself don’t understand, otherwise you will be misinforming others.
The third social responsibility of a journalist is, of course, to entertain or amuse others, but the entertainment must be one that adds value to the enjoyment of others. The entertainer must not attempt to abuse the sensibility of others, either culturally or socially in the name of entertainment. Some of the things we read in newspapers or watch on TV or listen to on radio are most often alien to our culture but ignorance sometimes allows us to appreciate them.
I have taken pains to reference the above in the light of what I hear on radio or what I read in newspapers. The journalist, they say, is an opinion maker from whom people make informed judgment about issues that affect their lives. Imagine a situation whereby a journalist broadcasts or publishes the wrong information about people or events.
As journalists, we must always draw a line between fact and propaganda. Propaganda news is to a large extent deliberately tailored or tainted to suit a purpose, but facts are sacred and are generally intended for the good of society.
Earlier this week, I read in one newspaper that in the matter between Charles Margai and the state, the court granted the accused bail in the sum of Le50 million, whilst in another newspaper, it was Le100 million. After reading the two newspapers I wondered which one of them was saying the correct thing. I was not in court to get the correct information, but I am sure the two reporters from the two newspapers were there.
During the same week, I read in another newspaper that Rtd. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio would replace the late Alice Mamie Foyah in Constituency 1 in the Kailahun District, following the sudden demise of the former SLPP parliamentarian. That story appeared on the front page of the said newspaper. If it had appeared in its gossip column, my take would have been otherwise, but being published on the front page means the reporter was passing on to the reading public what would appear as a ‘scoop’.
But after reading the story, I only got confused, just as any BECE student will quickly dismiss it as ‘bullshit’. How was it possible for Maada Bio from Bonthe District to contest a parliamentary seat in the Kailahun district?
One thing could be the case here: lack of basic understanding of the electoral arrangement relating to elections in this country or probably the writer does not understand the position of Maada Bio in the opposition SLPP. How could a presidential candidate suddenly change roles to contest a parliamentary seat in a constituency he does not hail from? The writer probably did not know what he or she wanted to report on.
These are some of the pitfalls in the media profession. Journalists want to inform or educate people on issues they themselves have no fair knowledge on. This is bad for the profession. My advice therefore is for journalists to get their facts together or be knowledgeable in the things they want to share with the rest of society.
Don’t inform if you are not properly informed. Don’t try to educate if you are not adequately educated in those things you want to educate others on. Don’t rely on rumours, rely on the facts.
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