Every True Journalist Is Not A Pontius Pilate

What has true journalism got to do with an ancient Roman Emperor? Just follow.

I read with keen interest an article online and I felt that whatever the writer poured out was not unusual. It is normal for every human being to be justifiably offended or otherwise.

Criticisms abound in every facet of life. Life will be boring without them. They keep one in shape at all levels of life, constructive or destructive. When it happens on the professional terrain of journalism, it is no news.

In fact, criticisms and critics do not live in space, they are right amongst us. The interesting part of the issue is, whether the criticisms or the critics among us are constructive or otherwise, the onus lies on the victim to feel bad about it.

There is an English proverb I learnt some years ago, “hard words break no bone”. Again, there is also a borborbor song that says, “eya me wo nane ke o, nuti la kue kpefu”

Let’s see what Pontius Pilate had to do with this. This was a Roman Emperor who tried the Lord Jesus Christ. He found nothing wrong with Jesus Christ but since he wanted to please the Pharisees and the Sadducees he took a neutral ground.

Neutrality, objectivity, precision, balance, fairness and accuracy are principles of journalism. However, none of the above should be swept under the carpet for wrong to prevail.

Every true journalist will never be neutral in the face of wrong doing. Neutrality in the face of wrong and the ills of society is equal to supporting the wrong doing.

No journalist must behave like Pontius Pilate who washed his hands and did not have the courage to stand for what was right. Take a stand.

Writer’s email and blog address: kw.ameblege@hotmail.com

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