from Yemi Farounbi

Introduction: The Noble Calling and Its Hidden Cost:
Journalism in Nigeria is more than a profession—it is a calling. A calling to speak truth to power, to amplify the voices of the unheard, and to defend the fragile pillars of democracy. Yet, beyond the headlines we write and the stories we break lies a quieter, often ignored reality: the cost of doing this work. These are not always the dangers we signed up for. They are the unintended hazards—the risks that creep in quietly, shaping our lives, our safety, and even our sanity.

(Journalism practice in Nigeria) demands courage—not just to report the truth, but to live with its consequences.

The Hazard of Physical Danger:
We have seen colleagues brutalised while covering protests such as the End SARS protests. We have seen reporters caught in the crossfire of insurgency, particularly in areas affected by Boko Haram. The simple act of holding a microphone or a camera has, in many instances, become an act of courage.
The Hazard of Silence Through Fear:
There is a growing, unspoken danger in our profession— not just violence, but fear.

When journalists begin to self-censor, democracy itself begins to suffocate—not loudly, but quietly.
(Journalism practice in Nigeria) demands courage—not just to report the truth, but to live with its consequences.

Fear of arrest.
Fear of lawsuits.
Fear of losing one’s job.
When journalists begin to self-censor, democracy itself begins to suffocate—not loudly, but quietly.
The Hazard of Economic Vulnerability:
Let us speak honestly.
Many journalists in Nigeria operate under harsh economic realities:
Poor remuneration
Irregular salaries
Lack of insurance and welfare
This creates a dangerous environment where integrity is constantly under pressure, and survival sometimes competes with ethics.
The Hazard of Psychological Burden:
We report tragedies, but we rarely process them. We tell the stories of victims of violence, disasters, and loss—but who tells the story of the journalist? Behind the bylines are human beings carrying invisible wounds:
Trauma
Anxiety
Emotional exhaustion
The newsroom does not always provide space for healing.
The Hazard of Digital Exposure:
In today’s digital age, the battlefield has expanded. Journalists are now targets of:
Online harassment
Cyberbullying
Misinformation attacks
Surveillance
A single report can unleash a storm that follows a journalist beyond the newsroom and into their personal lives.
The Hazard of Ethical Crossroads:
Every journalist, at some point, stands at a crossroads:
Truth or convenience?
Integrity or compromise?
Public interest or personal safety? These decisions shape not only our profession but our legacy.
A Call to Reflection
Ladies and gentlemen,
If journalism is the watchdog of society, then who watches over the watchdog?
If we are defenders of democracy, then who defends us?
The Way Forward:
A Collective Responsibility:
To address these unintended hazards, we must act— collectively and decisively.
Strengthen Institutional Protection:
Media organizations must prioritize the safety and welfare of their staff.
Advocate for Press Freedom:
We must continue to demand laws and policies that protect, not persecute, journalists.
Invest in Journalist’s Welfare:
Insurance, mental health support, and fair wages are not luxuries—they are necessities.
Uphold Ethical Standards:
Even in the face of hardship, integrity must remain our compass.
Build Solidarity Within the Profession:
An injury to one journalist must be treated as an injury to all.
Closing:
The Courage to Continue:
Let me conclude with this:
Journalism in Nigeria is not for the faint-hearted. It demands courage—not just to report the truth, but to live with its consequences.
Yet, despite the hazards, we continue.
We write.
We speak.
We expose.
We endure.
Because somewhere in this country, a citizen depends on the truth we tell. And that truth—no matter how dangerous—is worth defending.
Final Charge:
Let us leave here today not discouraged, but resolved:
To protect one another
To strengthen our institutions
To preserve the dignity of our profession
And above all, to continue telling the Nigerian story—truthfully, courageously, and responsibly.
Thank you.
Ambassador Farounbi, OON, iconic media administrator and former ambassador to the Philippines and Cambodia, gave this keynote address in Ibadan on Monday April 13, 2026, at the 70th post-humous birthday of Tunde Idowu, an ace broadcaster who died during the eerie days of military dictatorship, when fuel scarcity compounded the public angst against the annulment of the June 12 presidential election in Nigeria.