Joshua Olufemi, a media strategist and advocate for journalistic reform, argues that it is time to move beyond the outdated idea that only formally trained individuals deserve to be called journalists. In his article, he insists that the objective measure of journalism lies not in academic degrees or institutional titles but in the quality, truthfulness, and impact of one’s work.
He reflects on his experience launching the NextGen Journalism programme nearly a decade ago, which revealed a glaring disconnect between what mass communication students were taught in school and what the profession demands.
His team collaborated with university lecturers and employed hands-on training to bridge the gap, introducing data journalism, fact-checking, and investigative reporting to students and faculty alike. These sessions exposed the lack of practical skills in the classroom and eventually led to updates in the national curriculum.
Olufemi believes that the definition of a journalist should not be boxed into certification. Instead, it should include anyone, whether a nurse, farmer, lawyer, or everyday citizen, who commits to informing the public with truth, accountability, and structure. He challenges the argument that one must attend journalism school to qualify, saying such thinking misses the essence of journalism as a behavioural and narrative discipline, not a rigid technical one like medicine or law.
Citing real-world examples, he points to Aproko Doctor, a medical professional who utilises media to educate people about health and has built a health tech platform using journalism-inspired methods.
He also references Henry Jenkins’ concept of “Convergence Culture,” which explains how journalism now thrives in a participatory space where audience members are also content creators, often bringing fresh insight and perspective to news reporting.
Throughout the article, Olufemi argues that journalism must be inclusive and adaptable, integrating professionals from diverse fields and embracing modern tools such as artificial intelligence and data analysis.
He believes that as long as core journalistic values are upheld — truth-telling, public service, and accountability — anyone can practice journalism, regardless of their title or training.
In closing, he warns that the actual threat to journalism is not bloggers or self-made content creators but rather a stubborn commitment to outdated methods, poor teaching, and a failure to evolve. For journalism to thrive, he says, we must stop fixating on who qualifies and start focusing on who is doing meaningful, ethical work that serves the public good.
Leave feedback about this