Sorry, I’m not sorry

Sorry, I’m not sorry

BY MUSYOKA NGUI

I often am encountered with situations that don’t need a middle ground. Situations that prompt a “may be”. Others are just okay with a “no comment please”. Situations which aren’t either black or white. Not bright nor blurred. Neither yes nor no.

NEITHER YES NOR NO

But a simple yes and/or no answer can prompt arguments, controversies, and theories and if unchecked, lies.

As a journalist, having studied sources and answers they give, it’s important to prod further and not read too much into the details. It’s often said that journalists are the most lied to persons in any profession, except the oldest, prostitution (pun intended).

So being a journalist requires a practitioner to be untrusting and doubtful. When you’re told the wall has a wet paint, touch it to feel if it’s wet and if not prod the answer given.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Sources give a cover story. This is the story they want you to run. It might not be the true story but they want you to run it anyway. This is where research comes in handy. Do your homework before, during and after interviewing sources. Compare information. Give sources who aren’t broadcast an opportunity to tell their story.

Running fake news destroys one’s credibility. Once an audience stops trusting you, they never will. It’s like losing virginity. You lose it once and can’t be regained even if you have surgery to reset the system.

Check with your peers who cover the same story you do. Share notes. Compare. Contrast.

Journalists should develop a thick skin to avoid being hurt by mean and jealous sources. Fact is, not everyone loves you. The feeling might be mutual even. So it could be good riddance for either parties involved. Do not be afraid to say, sorry, I’m not sorry. Neither should you be apologetic about your professional conduct to sources that want to twist the story in their favour. Be fair.

NO THANK YOU

Have guts to know your worth and drop a no thank you if the deal doesn’t have your interests at heart.

Sometimes we are hated for what is perceived as an egotistical attitude. Much as you know your worth, trade it well and cede grounds to agree on the negotiations at the table. Have your irreducible minimums that cannot be crossed and if they are crossed back off.

We are trusted a lot. Do not make a source lose that trust in you. Sources confide classified information to you. Don’t quote unauthorised sources to prevent consequences for this on their part or on your part. You can rot in jail or the source gets economic sanctions for a news story that you run. Double check the story and remove all bad things then run.