A Journalist Is Not Owned

A true journalist does not bow, nor do they take sides. At their core, they remain independent, grounded in objectivity and guided by responsibility to the truth. Even when personal beliefs exist, they are held with discretion, never allowed to interfere with the integrity of their work. A journalist may vote, but their choices remain private, as their public voice must remain impartial.

The ability to podcast or post photos, videos, or photography is not, in itself, journalism. These are tools, not the craft.

Journalism is built on skill, discipline, and responsibility. Every true journalist must know how to write with clarity, edit with precision, and report with accuracy. They must be able to gather, verify, and present information across multiple formats, from print to audio to visual, without compromising truth.

To work in multimedia is not simply to create, but to produce with purpose. It requires structure, context, and ethical grounding.

There is nothing wrong with visibility as a journalist. In fact, there is value in showing your process, your life, and moments behind the scenes. It humanizes the work and connects you to your audience. But credibility is compromised when visibility becomes the goal at the expense of integrity, when one begins to publicly support individuals or politicians, take contracts that influence coverage, or bow to those in power for access or recognition.

A true journalist does not publicly support individuals or groups, and they are not owned by anyone. Their independence is their credibility. Their loyalty is to truth, not allegiance.

Let me take a page from Muhammadu Buhari: “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” This is the posture. This is the standard.

But I also acknowledge this: I wholeheartedly support the Federal Government of Nigeria in its mandate to serve the people and advance the nation. Support, however, must never replace scrutiny. Respect must never silence truth. And support does not mean I sell myself in the name of journalism.

What we have today, in many cases, are content creators, not journalists. Many do not understand or uphold the weight of media law and ethics that govern the profession.

Content can be made by anyone. Journalism, however, must be earned through rigor, training, and an unwavering commitment to standards that go beyond visibility.

A journalist does not chase attention. They build trust.

Fatima D Dangogo

Comments

Returning to Alignment

Loving the Divine means loving all of the Divine’s creations. It is impossible to truly declare devotion while dishonoring the souls that walk this earth each on their own sacred journey. The Divine is woven through everything: in every person, every living being, every moment of grace. To love the Divine is also to love yourself. Self-love is not selfish; it is sacred. It means honoring your soul, living by your values, and aligning your life with who you truly are. This alignment is the bridge between your inner world and the Divine’s truth. My own path has been one of constant learning and unlearning of resetting myself from the inside out. Along this journey, so much has been illuminated that I can no longer ignore. I see now how often I gave my light away to those who did not honor it those whose values did not reflect mine. Those who prioritized their desires on this physical realm over my soul. I offered my spirit where there was only manipulation and deceit. I did all that in t...

True Fellowship: Choosing Souls That Guard Yours

True fellowship is found in those who guard your soul like it’s their own, choosing your eternal growth over temporary gain. In a world that often values transactions over transformation, it’s easy to find ourselves surrounded by people who are more interested in what we can offer than in who we are becoming . We live in an era of fast friendships, performative connections, and surface-level support . But real fellowship, the kind that nourishes your spirit and aligns with your eternal destiny , is deeper than that. It’s about being in community with people who prioritize your spiritual well-being . People who will tell you the truth even when it’s uncomfortable. People who will pray with you, challenge you, and walk with you through the quiet, uncertain places, not for clout, not for control, but because they care about your soul. These are the people who celebrate your growth even when it means you outgrow them. They don’t compete with your calling . They don’t manipulate y...

Rahma — A Blessing in Every Way

A blessing is all that my mother has ever been to me, to our family, and to everyone who’s had the honor of knowing her. She is a woman whose presence feels sacred, whose values are stitched into her daily life, whose essence carries the kind of love that leaves you better than it found you. Growing up, I was surrounded by pure, intentional love. The kind that holds you, shapes you, and teaches you without ever needing to shout. My mother raised us in a home full of warmth, but also full of values. She gave us everything she could, her time, her wisdom, her laughter, her prayers and always, her unwavering belief in who we were becoming. I grew up in a household where "I love you" was said freely, without hesitation. Where hugs and kisses were constant, not reserved for special occasions. It didn’t matter how many times she saw you in a day, whether it was once or ten times, you’d still get a hug. A kiss on the forehead. A gentle “I love you” whispered like a prayer. That kin...

The Change the Conversation Journal

Search This Blog