Peace-be still

CENSORED!

Journalists gets censored in many different ways. Sometimes I wonder what has happened to the spirit of Ubuntu, especially if you are in Africa? People have this feeling that they can't help other people except there is something they stand to benefit from their gestures. But is this really 'helping?' I mean if it comes with strings attached? I personally dont think so.

I just got denied access to a story because I could not answer the question: "whats in it for us?" I was asked this question by a manager of an NGO. I could not be angry with her. I just felt sorry for journalists who have to grapple with issues like these. And I pitty you if as a journalist you will be brought as low as to accepting a 'bribe' of any sorts for the sake of having a story. Don't feel condemned just because your sources tell you "you journalists are the same, you make promises and you don't keep them". No! we never made them out of our own wills. We were coerced into making them. We are not even supposed to promise you anything. Don't ask for it. Don't make us make empty promises just because we want a story, because you will be blamed for that.

To you journalists out there...stop it! Don't pretend to be "The Messiahs" if its not in your power to. Just do your job and get the heck out of trouble. You are costing the credibility of our industry if this is how you are going to represent us.

Get me right. If you can help, please with all sicerity do, and do it because you want to, not out of obligation.. Prove yourself credible..let our generation of journalists be a force to be reckonned with.

posted by PT @ 7:30 AM