Broadcaster Is Not a Journalist: The Ibadan Media Confusion, By Olabode Makinwa

I have watched, with deep concern, how the lines between journalism and broadcasting are being carelessly blurred in Ibadan.

As someone who has devoted years to the practice of investigative journalism, I cannot stay silent while many On-Air Personalities (OAPs) parade themselves as journalists simply because they hold a microphone or sit in a studio.

Let me state it plainly: a journalist is trained to gather, verify, analyse, and report facts. My work as a journalist begins long before I speak into a microphone. It takes research, interviews, documents, and a constant weighing of truth against falsehood. That is what journalism is – service to the public through truth.

A broadcaster, on the other hand, is a presenter. He or she may read news, play music, anchor programs, or entertain listeners. Broadcasting is about delivery. Journalism is about content. Both are important, but they are not the same.

The problem in Ibadan today is that many presenters who specialise in banter, slang, and social media virality now call themselves “journalists.” They are not. I say this with all sense of responsibility: if you have not gone through the rigours of news gathering, fact-checking, and ethical reporting, then you are not a journalist. You are a broadcaster, and there is dignity in that role.

What worries me most is the damage this confusion causes. When broadcasters misrepresent themselves as journalists, the public begins to doubt the credibility of real journalism. Sensationalism takes the place of facts. Noise replaces truth. And the noble profession I belong to is dragged into ridicule.

I am not against broadcasters. I work with them daily, and I respect their craft. But they must respect mine too. A journalist digs out the story; a broadcaster delivers it. Neither should wear the other’s title without merit.

If Ibadan wants to retain its reputation as Nigeria’s media hub, it must correct this error. Broadcasters should embrace their role proudly, and those who desire to be journalists must get the training and discipline the profession demands.

I owe it to my profession – and to the public that depends on it – to keep saying this: a broadcaster is not automatically a journalist. The earlier Ibadan’s media practitioners accept this truth, the better for us all.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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