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

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