Integrity and Protection: Journalism’s Twin Pillars

Day two of the conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria(ACSPN), didn’t just hand out lectures, it held up a mirror to the media. And what stared back was a reminder many of us already know but sometimes forget: journalism lives or dies on two things integrity and protection.

Yes, there were sessions on research design, sampling, and data collection the nuts and bolts of communication studies. But when the conversation shifted to investigative journalism and corruption, the atmosphere felt different. The words hit harder.

Speakers drew a line between corruption and its two ugly companions — fraud and dishonesty. Their point was clear: how can journalists expose corruption if they themselves lack character, discipline, and contentment? In a profession built on truth, integrity isn’t optional, it’s survival.

But here’s the catch: integrity alone doesn’t shield a journalist from intimidation, harassment, or even worse. Without real protection and institutional support, the brave voices exposing wrongdoing are left vulnerable. And until society funds and supports the media the way it does politics and big business, journalists will continue to fight uphill battles with bare hands.

The challenge is simple, yet heavy: journalists must know their audience, resist the urge to be “blabber mouths,” and hold themselves to high standards through ethical practice and self-regulation. At the same time, institutions must step up to protect those who dare to tell the truth.

Because if we silence integrity with fear, what’s left of the watchdog role we claim to play?