By Fredrick Nadulli,

Since time immemorial,journalism is a powerful tool that connects masses to events and stories that define daily lives.It is a link,the bridge between what takes place and the intended recipients on the ground.Credible journalism therefore dictates that reports must be accurate,informative,objective and most important non-partisan.These in sum are the ethics that define a respectable fourth estate.

ROTTEN APPLES

Like in any society that strives to maintain high morals and principles,a few rotten apples must exist,if only to complete the equation.Kenya sports journalism is no exception.

These are the scribes who take sides and without as much as bat an eyelid,sing to the tune of the master.Whoever coined the adage ‘who pays the piper calls the tune’ must have had this incorrigible lot in mind.

It is not uncommon to see them work vigorously at the behest of their paymasters,singing their praises and hoisting them to cloud nine,only to go mischievously quiet whenever they goof.

They are surprisingly very swift in painting rosy pictures of any small feats but equally notorious to give a wide berth anything that threatens to dent the reputation of their funders.Basically they are loud cheerleaders and loaded guns for hire,all rolled into one,working as circumstances demand.

To them,anything that negatively touches on their powerful subjects is not newsworthy.A potentially damaging report will see heads buried in the proverbial sand.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

Any journalist worth his salt must be beyond reproach,akin to the biblical Caesar’s wife.Any iota of compromise is enough to put careers that have taken ages to build in serious jeopardy and respect eroded.

The power of the pen is incredible,so much so that the public take whatever they read at near face valueThe masses need to be informed,educated,cautioned and entertained.
These are the hallmarks of proper journalism.