Shame on Nigerians journalists !
Journalism, Brown envelope and poverty
By Wale Ojo- Lanre
The journalism profession got it wrong from the beginning. That is why many of the early faithful and most ethical practitioners died in penury and poverty. That is also why most newspaper houses died as quickly as they were set up. Journalism and newspaper publishing were often run as social organizations rather than business enterprises. Journalists were seen as comrades toiling for the betterment of society, while society was not working for them. They were expected to cover both public and private assignments pro bono. As a result, the companies could not afford to pay them well or run successfully.
The sector should have separated public assignments from commercial and personal assignments. There should have been clear rules and regulations. If an entity wants its information published, it should pay the media organization a set fee, and the journalist should also be compensated accordingly. It is only in journalism that a person opening a hotel, for example, would expect the media to cover the story for free. Can you go to a private clinic and obtain the service for free? Can you hire a lawyer for free?
The early newspapers died because they were run as public companies without adequate subvention from the public. They were private companies that should have been operating on commercial rates. Even the public media houses were the first to commercialize the news when they could not meet up despite being given subventions by the government.
However, blogging and social media have addressed the issue of the “brown envelope” to some extent. If you want to run your blogging service free for the people, you may have to deal with hunger and poverty at home. For me, I have my blogs and networks, and if you want me to cover your program or event, you must pay. It is not a compulsory service.
The key points are the need for proper commercialization, separation of public and private assignments, and the establishment of rules and regulations in the journalism industry to ensure its sustainability and the fair compensation of journalists.
……a response to a post on ‘brown envelope’
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Wale Ojo-Lanre Esq was the Chairman,Oyo State Nigeria Union of Journalists ,2004- 2009.
Ex- Secretary Tribune NUJ
Two Terms Chairman,Tribune NUJ Associate Editor ,Tourism , Nigerian Tribune ( on a Leave of Absence)
President Guilds of Tourism Journalists in Nigeria
….at present Director General Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development.