Journalists’ Collective Self-Esteem: Different Strokes For Different Folks -By Isaac Asabor

For the sake of clarity, it is germane to begin the expression of this view by saying that the American Psychological Association (APA) defined Collective Self-Esteem as “Individuals’ subjective assessment of that portion of their self-concept that is based on their membership in social groups, such as families, teams, or schools, as well as on categories that have psychological significance for them, such as race, ethnicity, or nationality”. However, in this context, the definition in the same vein applies to that of Journalists that are affiliated to the same profession; Journalism.

It is not an exaggeration to say that gone are the days when Journalists were held in high esteem, particularly in this part of the world. Against the foregoing backdrop, it won’t be out of place to say that not few Nigerians contemptuously look down on Journalists in the course of carrying out their duties. Without doubt Journalism in Nigeria has unarguably been experiencing petty progress, especially when juxtaposed with present realities alongside what obtained some decades ago. The profession has had moderate advancement as, at least, the practitioners have been able to assert their ‘professional statuses to a large extent. But how is the profession perceived? What comes to mind when you tell people you practice Journalism? What thought does the term ‘Journalism’ trigger when mentioned? The profession, as it is today, suffers critical misperceptions. It is the height of irony to see a profession that is mutually allied to the PR profession been denigrated this much.

There is no denying the fact that the collective image problem which journalists are by each passing day battling with has extremely become inexplicable that even their former colleagues that moved to the non-media sector of the economy to become corporate communication or public relations staff are wont to invite them for events; such as press conference, product or service launch or any event that need to be editorially publicized only to treat them as mendicants that primarily honored the event to eat “chin-chin”, munch “swallow” or “Jollof Rice”, and in some rare cases hand “brown-envelopes” to them.

Some one-time Journalists that serendipitously find themselves in the non-media sector as corporate communication staff and Special Advisers and Assistants to political bigwigs are wont to forward press releases to their former colleagues without being courteous enough to call the recipient on phone or through other medium to talk about the press release with him or her. Without resorting to speciousness, it is an aspect of arrogances that Journalists are humiliated with ostensibly on account of the beggarly trajectory the profession has taken since digital journalism began to threaten traditional journalism practice, and which in turn is telling on their financial wellbeing.

Against the backdrop of brown envelope journalism, it is somewhat paradoxical that entrepreneurs in the media sector of the economy who ethically preach with one side of their mouth vicariously push their staff to be engaged in unethical practices as they are wont to deny them of their legitimate salaries for up to 18 months, and tacitly defending the inhuman action by erroneously thinking that what Journalists” unethically get in the course of newsgathering would be sustainable enough for them to eke out a living. One of the publishers in the country is reputed to ask his staff “Why not make use of your ID Card?” instead of grumbling over unpaid salaries. Without mincing words, Journalism is unarguably the only profession where a Journalist is owed up to 18 month salary arears, and still looked up to by his employer to be hardworking and committed.

Without any scintilla of hyperbole, the journalist in his neighborhood is suspiciously related to by those that know him to be one. For instance, if any dark spot within the community was at any time raided by Security operatives, he is usually fingered, albeit in hush manner, to be responsible for the whistle blowing that led to the raid.

Opinions as to why the Journalist is suspiciously fingered by the people cannot be farfetched as he is seen as an “Amebo” (A slang used to refer to a person who likes to gossip or likes to spread gossip and blow whistles about any issue that needs to be made known).

Journalism, being a different strokes for different folks, has being in a thorn in the flesh of governments in this part of the world so much that political leaders and politicians always take combative position to address any issue that brings them to a collision course with Journalists whereas in other climes, such as, USA, it has never been that way.

You may have asked, “Why is America always given favorable mention when the issue of free press is brought forward for discussion?” The answer to the foregoing cannot be farfetched as from the dawn of the country with the creation of the three branches of the government, journalists have played the role of informing the people and holding political leaders accountable, unlike in this part of the world.

For instance, the past few decades have seen ever growing attacks on Nigerian journalists. These attacks are seemingly coming to a crescendo under the ongoing administration been led by President Muhammadu Buhari which has consistently been seeing information as unreliable.

A retrospection to America of yesteryears in this context will reveal that free press has been sacrosanct in the country, and the virtue has over the years being sustained.

For instance, in January 1787 Thomas Jefferson, while serving as minister to France in Paris as other Founding Fathers worked to create a new Constitution for the United States of America, wrote an acquaintance back home a letter in which he expressed his thoughts about journalism in a democracy: “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” One hundred and seventy-five years later, President John F. Kennedy was asked by NBC, during a December 1962 interview, whether he was as avid a news reader as he had been before entering the White House. Kennedy replied, “Even though we never like it, and even though we wish they didn’t write it, and even though we disapprove, there isn’t any doubt that we could not do the job at all in a free society without a very, very active press.” Neither Jefferson nor Kennedy were immune to press criticism in their respective eras. Both men had experience, however, fighting against countries where questioning those in power could lead to dire consequences. As their quotations suggest, each understood the importance of having a public voice to speak truth to power.

It is expedient to recall in this context that the term, “Fourth Estate”, often attributed to 18th-century British statesman Edmund Burke, who praised the mission of the press gallery during a parliamentary debate, refers to the press serving as the fourth branch of democratic government, keeping citizens informed and observing the political process as an additional check on government. This role as the watchdog of power is enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

In as much as Journalism remains different strokes for different folks, one salient fact that is inherent in the quote credited to Walter Cronkite is its indispensability in a democratic government. The quote says, “Journalism is what we need to make democracy work”. No matter the depth of mischievousness been exhibited by everyone that is opposed to Journalism as a profession, the fact remains that it will continue to play its role particularly as it continues to resonate the voice of the people.