Pledge Objectivity: Your Role As Campus Journalists In Nigerian Institutions

 

It will be mournful not to educate and illuminate the role of Campus journalists as everyone is now a writer, either skilfully or with AI. It's imperative for students to create a serene campus environment by being the eyes and ears of the University community. This article briefly expound the role of Campus journalists in higher institutions.

 

With the advancement, emerging, and increasing number of social media handling, it is hard to crack who disseminates information of their campus first_ before the real bearers of the eyes and ears of University communities, which drives to increasing number of student journalists lack the real knowledge of what the real journalism is all about, hence they struggle a great deal to fit into the real campus journalism and giddy-up to the end of the edge by writing Opinion articles, entertainment articles, and public relations' stories for their schools.

Campus Journalism should be a real adventure, free from intimidation and threats_ for student journalists to garner first-hand experience of what the real world of journalism entails. The importance of campus Journalism is not a play-acting or only a check and balance for administration, but also serving as a good training ground for future mainstream journalists.

The Campus Journalists have essential roles to play by representing the voice of the students, protecting the rights of the students, and informing the students of what is happening in and around their academic environments.

Although, a renowned British novelist, essayist, and journalist, George Orwell said “Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations.” 

But It is epochal to understand George Orwell's statement is a matter of opinion and interpretation. Some people believe that journalism should be focused on uncovering and reporting on information that powerful institutions or individuals would prefer to keep hidden, also others believe that journalism should be more balanced and inclusive of different perspectives. Ultimately, whether or not Orwell was right in this statement depends on one's personal beliefs about the role of journalism in society.

Moreso, it is noteworthy for campus journalists to know that journalism is also printing what should be in the public interest, what the public has to know, and not sensitive information about personal efforts and strives that has been proved abortive. If Journalism is truly printing what someone else does not want to be printed, it is pivotal to print what will make impacts, solutions, and bring development for the benefit of all persons.

To execute and discharge the responsibilities of printing what someone else does not want to be printed, campus journalists should possess the ability to smell, dig out misappropriation acts, inform the general public, and stand for the truth in holding their University authorities accountable, not only that, but also to hold the actors of any act accountable, be it non-student within the campus, just like the investigation published by The News Digest Press, about Inside Bad ‘Ghetto’ Pushing Students to Fear, Assault in UDUS, by Abdulganiyu Azeez; and also fellow students, non-academic staff, and academic staff_ to provide perfect campus environment for students to thrive.

Investigative journalism is a talent and another role that campus journalists should play to expose illicit acts that are happening within their campuses, that should be deployed, developed, and well-refined so that campus journalists will have the access and knowledge to maintain a conducive campus environment, and the society at large.

Basic Roles Of Campus Reporters 

Similarly, campus journalists play a vital role in informing students about events and occurrences on campus, exposing wrongdoings, holding leadership accountable, and informing the larger community about relevant information on their campuses, such as an article published at Nigerian Tribune, by Ismaila Biliaminu Manne, about the 'Bittersweet Innovation' of the UDUS Students' Union, and students fault hostel water tap installed by the Students Union Government.

Also, speaking with a young renowned Campus Journalists, Abdulrasheed Akere, expressed that "campus journalists also play the role to promote justice on campus and enhance the reputation of the university community," which illuminated in line with his article, published at the Campus Reporter website, about waste disposal that threatens the health of students within Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

Nevertheless, Campus Journalists amplify any upcoming events that are scheduled to be held within their campuses for the awareness of the general public on the campus environment. This draws many students to fully participate and engage in the events without being left out of any occasion on their campus, such as the reported article by Khadijat Sewedo at the Nigerian Tribune Newspaper, that the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, organizes 13.2km marathon for students. This report not only amplifies and draws the attention of students but also the attention of several Nigerian students and Citizens.

To this end, Campus Journalists have a crucial role to play in order to strike a balance and enhance the awareness, livability, and maintenance of campus life in every part of Nigerian Campuses.

By Ismaila Biliaminu Manne.

Biliaminu Manne is a final-year student of Public Administration and the immediate past Online Editor and Social Media Manager of the Gamji Press, UDUS. He is also a Freelance Campus Journalist of International and National Media outlets, and the current Assistant General Secretary of the NACJ, UDUS. He can be reached via email; biliaminuismaila2020@gmail.com