Rufai Oseni: Who Is A Journalist? A Case Study in Political Communication
The recent on-air standoff on Arise News pulled Nigerians back into an old, worthy argument: what truly makes a journalist—a certificate or years of dedicated practice?
y Chudi Okologbu Uwandu,
INTRODUCTION:
The recent on-air standoff on Arise News pulled Nigerians back into an old, worthy argument: what truly makes a journalist—a certificate or years of dedicated practice?
In an era dominated by social media algorithms, the line between a true journalist and a content creator has dangerously blurred. Anyone with a smartphone can disseminate data, but social media content is not journalism.
True journalism relies on strict institutional filters: verification, gatekeeping, and public accountability. It is an active commitment to context and intellectual honesty—a firewall built specifically to protect the public from propaganda and unverified hysteria.
From Nigeria's historic newsrooms to global giants like the BBC and Reuters, history shows that exceptional journalism has never had a single locked gate. A certificate can open the newsroom door, but it cannot, by itself, make the journalist who walks through it.
What makes one is verification, fairness, courage under pressure, and the willingness to keep learning.
Below, is my full commentary on professional conduct, media credentials, and the true mandate of the fourth estate.
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