The watchdog

The principal role of a journalist is to watch over the interest of the people and to speak out when those interests are threatened. A journalist is indeed the crusader for social justice, public morality, civil liberties and human progress.

The watchdog function of a journalist advances knowledge and spiritual enlightenment of the public, defeating ignorance and enabling them to achieve closer understanding and to play an informed and responsible role in community development.

However, people should all be concerned with the role of journalists in our society, considering their immense contributions to peace, health socio-political and economic development.

The fact that journalists manufacture the news does not mean they are entirely responsible for shaping public opinions. The public also has the sense of truth and always responds to it when it manifests.

Unfortunately, some irresponsible journalists have diverted the people’s attention from problems created by politicians, thereby aiding the politicians in their practices of corruption and injustice.
Journalism could be used as a vehicle of thought and means of bringing the various ethnic groups or tribes closer to one another.

Great ideas rather than beautiful words and phrases make a better journalist because people are worried with the complexities and insecurity in their domain and the contemporary world. Therefore, it’s pertinent for journalists to always call for action not dreams and they should lift the mirror up for our people to see their morale.

Mubarak Shuaybu Shelleng,
Yola, Adamawa state

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