It is often said that ‘once a journalist, always a journalist’.
This is not an empty statement. Rather, it is a testament that the tenets of journalism last forever in anyone that has had the privilege to practice journalism at whatever level, even when they move into other stations of life.
Journalists – current and former – regale in this and many indeed live this truism. You can tell this by looking at how they behave, their attitudes towards public issues, etc.
For example, retired – and even tired – journalists hardly lose interest in news and things happening around them. They follow events with the keenness of a reporter even when they have no platform to report because they know that knowing what is happening puts one ahead of those that live in information oblivion.
Journalists also tend to retain that sixth sense that triggers skepticism. Good journalists – practicing or not – do not take anything at its face value. They leave that element of doubt; the one that triggers questions, tests the facts, draws parallels, etc.
In journalism schools of old, this was usually put bluntly: ‘If your mother says she loves you, check it out!’ Do her actions show love or not?
The tenets of balance and the right of reply teach journalists a lifelong lesson about the multiplicity of perspectives and the necessity of moderation. That is, every story has two or more sides to it. Every view has a contrary view. There are many perspectives to every issue. And there are many angles to a single picture.
‘Journalists forever’ therefore do not jump to conclusions at the drop of a hat, and do not lock themselves to a position without hearing the other side of the story. They also understand that the angle one is standing at in relation to the object determines what they will see and what they may not see.
Then there is the news or information frames. Lifelong journalists know that every piece of information or news that is put out to the public comes in frames that are designed to emphasise the part one wants you to see. While the image in the frame may be exact, it is not the whole picture. Often what is outside the frame may be the bigger picture so again an element of caution and inquiry is a most prudent approach to issues.
Journalists may, in the course of their careers, jump over dead bodies or the most grisly circumstances to bring the story to the public. But they are not like soldiers to whom the end justifies the means.
Journalists are trained to be fair, to minimise harm, to promote harmony, not conflict, to step back when necessary because no story is worth a life – of the journalists or the subjects.
A journalist for life will, therefore, continue to behave as such whether they are in an active newsroom, in retirement of in another role. It means they can always be trusted to do the right things, to say the right things or not to say and do the wrong things.
That said, the ‘once a journalist, always a journalist’ tag also carries another perception that is often used against journalists. They are seen as people whose instinct to spread news exceeds their oath of secrecy, allegiance, etc.
Former journalists working outside media establishments are, therefore, usually suspected – rightly or wrongly – to be the source of information leaks. As a result, they are sometimes bypassed or excluded from important conversations.
Some journalists try to counter this distrust by completely shedding off the journalism skin to fit in their new stations, which undermines the reputation of the trade.
Still, there are not many true journalists that will cover up bad things around them. One way or the other, journalism instinct will overwhelm collegiality and they speak out or get someone else to do so.
Anyhow, suffice to say that what we have said about journalists can be said about nearly all other professions. A teacher will always be a teacher, seizing every opportunity to teach something. A doctor, nurse, medic, etc will always remain one, which is why in an airplane flying above 30,000 feet, a medic shall emerge to perform emergency surgery, etc.