Why journalists shouldn’t seek to be politically correct, by Etorobong Inyang

 Contd from Tuesday edition

Political journalists have always been known to be politically correct because of the views they hold for and on behalf of the governments or organizations that appointed them, such cases of politically appointed journalists, include, Reuben Abati, Segun Adeniyi, Udeme Nana, Labran Maku, Parchi Umoh, Usoro Usoro and Femi Adesina. They conducted themselves in a manner to mean to they were appointed principally to lie for their principals, they even went to the extent of alienating themselves from their constituency, forgetting that what gave them the appointment in the first place was their reputation and integrity as journalists.
So, what would happen if practicing journalists start running for public offices, and addressing political rallies? Clearly, the “ideal” of objectivity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence would be jeopardized, rather than allow the actions of politically biased journalists mar the reputation and integrity of media houses, would it be pragmatic to allow journalists to exercise their democratic right to seek public office, in order to avoid a conflict of interest?  After all, the politically appointed journalist would always remember he came from a media house, and in most cases, would want to appreciate his employer by way of adverts, whether he would return to the media house after the tenure of his appointment or not, in most cases they don’t return.

The ownership structure the media has also made journalists to be scapegoats of some kind, while it be permissible for a journalist in the employ of a government owned media house to be a “praise singer or “sycophant” of government, it is entirely a different ball game if he is “seen” by the government to be “critical”. You are a development oriented journalist so long as you see nothing wrong with government policies. Unfortunately, the few privately owned media organizations probably due to patronage have been perceived by the society to be politically polarized. For, example Channels television station is widely perceived to be pro-APC, while AIT television is believed to be pro-PDP.
   But, within the context of journalism profession how would “objectivity”, “impartiality” and “independence” be measured as practical or achievable standards?  For instance, on the social media, Essein Ndueso, would be mostly referred to as ‘PDP’ journalist, while, Thomas Thomas, and Solomon Johnny, could easily be addressed as ‘APC’ journalists based on their reports and commentaries.
In some countries, a large number of politicians have backgrounds in the journalism profession.  Some journalists had to move into politics, while some natural politicians used journalism as a stepping stone to political limelight.
The modern idea of describing the media as the so called the “Fourth Estate” after  government, courts, and the clergy has made the media acting as a balance and an advocate for ordinary citizens against possible abuses from the power and authority of the other three estates.
Considering the conditions under which journalists practice their profession in some countries, would journalists conscientiously strive to serve the public with honesty?  In a situation where most media houses do not have conditions of service or in a few cases where existing conditions of service seem to impoverish practicing journalists, if even when journalists are seen to be courageous and fearless in gathering information, would they be seen to be fair in their reporting and presentation?
Journalists are expected to remain free of associations and activities that may tend to compromise their integrity or damage their credibility. But, wait a minute in a society where anything goes, does it matter for journalists to maintain their integrity or guard their credibility? And that brings the question of association, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, which is the umbrella union of professional journalists, is both a professional and industrial union, and in a situation where no line is drawn between professionalism and entrepreneurship, anything can happen.
Ethically, practicing journalists are expected not to accept gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and they are also expected to shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity nor accept donations that appear to be in conflict with public interest.  So, when a state council subjects its members to tour government projects sponsored by the government in power, then the outcome such a tour could only be imagined.
Unfortunately, the Fourth Estates do not receive subventions like the other estates do, the Union is run as a nonprofit making entity, and neither is it a governmental organization, they rely mostly on donations from patrons, individuals, corporate bodies, and in some cases the government.
Year in, year out, budgetary allocations for the information subsector in both the federal and state government budgets have remained sources of concern. Even the meager allocations are not usually released, and most state councils of the Union are not accountable, and do not make public sources of donations.
How come more than 20 years after its creation, the Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation, AKBC, was still operating from a rented office building, with no editing suite, largely manual and mechanical in operations, low staff morale, contract staffers and inclement working conditions?  
So, much is expected of journalists; integrity, credibility, agenda setting and ethical conducts. The public is entitled to as much credible information from reliable sources as possible, and critical and central to their jobs, they must hold those in power accountable, and they must also be accountable to their audiences and to themselves, and abide by the same high standards to which they hold others. Journalists are seen to be far above all other professions as far as public service is concerned.  Journalists should be seen to defend the interest of the common people.
All that journalists require of themselves is the discipline to bear the burden of professionalism, and voluntarily surrender their freedom to serving the public, for to be politically correct today, might make them legally liable and morally bankrupt tomorrow.