The Sad Reality of Once A Noble Profession
I often feel sorry for employees of media houses any time a new person is poached to join the existing team, mainly due to their social popularity and inconsequential consideration of their competence to function.
Taking into account the financial implications involved in this move, it is pathetic how staff, especially those behind the scenes, are staving off their meagre salaries or benefits.
An era where huge sums and benefits are given to these people not to suggest that they do not deserve it but observing the misery, sacrifices, and toils of those unseen who are not before the cameras or console, is just tormenting.
An era where popular faces are given gigs and benefits whether they are experienced or not.
An era where students graduate from specialised institutions of communication are without jobs just because a popular face or influencer commanding social media numbers has been poached by a media house.
The strife is real and makes one wonders if it’s worth it.
Today, we whine about the fallen standard of journalism, which used to be a specialized and respected profession, but is now a loose term paraded by anyone holding a phone or tripod and can fan controversy.
Even some so-called senior journalists are causing more harm to the fraternity. From their open political affiliation to dancing to the tunes of their paymasters.
It has become a weapon of oppression, even against our own. Turning against each other to establish relevance away from the glaring truth and salvaging society from its carnivalism in nature. Fueling the claims and giving precedence to inaccuracy.
Today, journalists crave fame and popularity even more than newsmakers. Why? Because it has become lucrative.
We undoubtedly moved from an era where stories could be delayed for confirmation and response to an era of fast food” reporting.
From an era where reporters took an interest in specific fields of reporting to an era where everyone wants to be the jack of all trades.
From an era where Journalists had personal interests in social stories to a money-driven era
From an era where news reflects society to an era where disinformation is considered a headline.
Not forgetting the conspiracies and schemes from within to undermine the efforts of others.
How safe is the future if we all prefer the fast-food kind of reporting?
With our pot belly slowing down our walking and our system having been used to the junk we consumed,
Who is to blame?
The sad reality is that the few experienced ones with practical apprenticeships from seasoned practitioners at the time are equally fading away.
They owned the stories, which was distinctively evident in their choice of words, unique gradients, and the clarity they gave to every story.
After all, recent demands have caused this craving for a fast-food approach to information.
We can only talk about them, but I doubt if things could ever go back to how they used to be.
I can’t keep quiet.
Source: Samuel Awuni (Mr Awuni)
