Dr. Julius Spencer, a seasoned journalist and ex-Minister of Information, has called on young journalists to resist the tendency towards subjectivity and personalization of news reporting in the media, which he believes will lead to the erosion of public confidence in the profession.
Under the theme “The Use of Subjective Language in Journalism,” Dr. Spencer delivered a lecture to the students of the Faculty of Communication, Media and Information Studies at Fourah Bay College. The lecture reached a wide range of people in the university as well as media people in the county and got coverage from SLBC, SLIK TV, Expo Salone, and Salone Messenger.
In a presentation informed by his own experience in both journalist work and public service, Dr. Spencer warned of a “disintegration of news culture” in Sierra Leone due to a spillage of opinion, political affiliation, or emotions into news reporting. As a result,when journalists combine facts with opinion, they necessarily lead society to lack confidence in information disseminated by journalists.
“The first task of the journalist is a simple but tough one: Tell it like it is and let the audience decide,” he emphasized. The lecturer reminded the students that no matter how pressures come from politicians, employers, or businessmen, fact, objectivity, and balance have to be maintained in news writing.
Dr. Spencer also advised young journalists to resist the lure of short-term financial gains and immediate rewards in their publishing pursuits. They should set up their long-term career tracks to sustain testing scrutiny based on global standards, allowing them to gain global recognition, he said.
There was also a reflective part of the lecture where he talked about his experience while he was the Information Minister. He talked about the task ofShielding the media from government interference. He told the audience that he had urged the British High Commissioner to make it clear that the international community would withhold their assistance to the media sector if the government did not make sure that Radio Democracy was truly an independent radio. He explained that he had to create the IMC while he was in government.
The last session ended on an enlightening note. In his address to the students, Dr. Spencer explained that journalism is not an armchair profession but an occupation that requires an individual to be brave, committed, and honest.
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“If you are passionate about practicing journalism,” he told them, “you are entering a field where passion is highly needed. Do what is right. Do not let yourself be bought.” In fact, for many of the students who were present, this lecture could mean not only an academic venture but also an important lesson that comes along with the use of a pen, a microphone, and a camera.
