For years, journalism has battled an unfortunate stereotype, that reporters are underpaid, desperate and surviving on handouts.
Many parents discouraged their children from pursuing the profession, convinced it offered little dignity or financial stability.
While the media landscape has evolved in the 21st century, one troubling reality remains: the treatment of journalists, particularly field reporters, often reflects the same outdated mindset.
Studies on newsroom economics and shrinking media resources show how the profession has faced increasing pressure globally.¹
As a practising journalist, I have witnessed the good, the bad, and the deeply troubling. One recurring issue is the treatment of reporters during event coverage.
Organisations frequently send invitations to media houses, sometimes paying substantial fees for coverage. Yet, when reporters and cameramen arrive, they are often met with confusion, resistance, or outright hostility from event planners and coordinators.
Global press-freedom advocates have repeatedly emphasised the importance of dignified working conditions for journalists.
It is not uncommon to hear phrases like: “We didn’t know the media would be here.” “No arrangements were made for you.” “You may have to stay outside.”
This raises an obvious question: How is a reporter expected to produce a meaningful story without access?
Despite the payments made to media organisations, reporters are often left to improvise, standing for hours, observing from afar, and struggling to gather enough information to file a report before deadlines. While some organisations quickly intervene when issues are escalated, many journalists must simply endure the situation and “make magic” out of very little.
Research into global media labour conditions confirms that journalists increasingly face poor field support and declining professional recognition.
Even more troubling is the perception of what journalists do. Many coordinators believe reporters should remain standing throughout events, constantly filming as glorified content creators, and never sitting. Requests for basic access are sometimes interpreted as unprofessional or unreasonable.
In some cases, journalists are asked to wear media tags and T-shirts for easy recognition so they can be denied refreshments because they are working and therefore not entitled to basic hospitality.
Press-freedom organisations note that professional marginalisation is an often overlooked threat facing journalists worldwide.
Yes, there are events where journalists are treated with dignity and respect, but too often, the negative experiences outweigh the positive ones.
Seasoned professionals across print, radio, and television have shared stories of being ridiculed or dismissed while simply trying to do their jobs. The growing confusion between professional journalists and social-media content creators has also been widely documented in media-industry research.
I once believed that professionalism and composure would shield me from such experiences. That belief was challenged at a recent high-profile event in Lagos.
The host was gracious and appreciative of the media’s presence. However, the event coordinators insisted they were unaware that journalists had been invited. Reporters were asked to remain outside the venue and stand throughout the evening. Access was restricted despite visible media tags and prior invitations.
Naturally, questions followed from me: Why invite the press if they are not expected? How can coverage happen without access? Why create media tags if no arrangements were made? After escalating the issue to my workplace, a new narrative emerged: I was allegedly trying to create a scene. That accusation was deeply unsettling. For the first time in my career, I felt genuinely shaken.
Journalists are not gatecrashers. We are professionals invited to document and amplify stories. We are partners in shaping public perception. Yet too often, we are treated as an afterthought. Global press-freedom rankings continue to highlight the importance of protecting the working environment of journalists everywhere.⁶
This experience highlights an urgent need for change. Organisations, event planners, and coordinators must be properly educated on how to engage with the media they invite.
Respect for journalists is not optional; it is essential. Reporters and cameramen are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for basic dignity, access, and professionalism. Because at the end of the day, we are simply doing our jobs. And we deserve better.
Journalism is not charity work. It is not an inconvenience. It is not an afterthought. It is a profession and it deserves dignity.
Footnotes
1. Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. Journalism, Media, and Technology Trends and Predictions. University of Oxford.
2. UNESCO. World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development. UNESCO Publishing.
3. International Federation of Journalists. Global Report on the State of Journalism.
4. Committee to Protect Journalists. Attacks on the Press / Annual Reports.
5. World Economic Forum. The Future of Media and Entertainment.
6. Reporters Without Borders. World Press Freedom Index.
