Accuracy, responsibility and discipline must remain the pillars of every journalist’s work, Programme Director of Daily Trust Foundation, Dr Theophilus Abbah, said on Monday.
He stated this at the commencement of a three-day workshop for broadcast and digital media professionals in Abuja aimed at improving reporting, production and ethical standards in the industry.
In his opening remarks, Dr Abbah said the foundation remained committed to raising the quality of journalism in Nigeria.
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He said the workshop was designed to help participants navigate the challenges of fast-pace broadcast journalism.
The chairman, Board of Trustees of Daily Trust Foundation, Malam Bilya Bala, who delivered the keynote address, urged participants to take discipline seriously, warning that brilliance without self-control could ruin a journalist’s career.
“You may be the smartest producer or newscaster, but without discipline, you’re a liability,” he said.
He explained that in live broadcasting, there is no room for error, noting that a careless mistake could damage not just individual reputations but that of entire organisations.
“Once you speak on air, it’s out. You can’t take it back. That’s why a journalist must think before talking, especially on live platforms,” he added.
Bala also stressed the importance of preparation, especially for newscasters. He cited examples of on-air blunders caused by poor pronunciation of names, saying these could easily be avoided with basic rehearsal.
He said, “Some reporters stumble on names while reading the news because they didn’t prepare. That’s inexcusable. You must do your homework before going live.”
He noted that producers must also take responsibility for ensuring that what goes on air meets professional standards. “You can’t create a script and abandon it halfway. The producer must guide the entire process,” he said.
Sharing a personal story from his days in school, Bala recalled how a British teacher helped him pronounce the word ‘vouchsafe’ during a school play. He said moments like that underline the value of learning and asking questions.
“I had the luxury of a prompt on stage. You won’t have that on live TV,” he added.
He urged participants to see every assignment as a reflection of their values and professionalism.
“Every job is a portrait of the person who did it. Stamp it with excellence,” he said.
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