The digital age has transformed journalism, making it more accessible yet far more precarious. While online platforms have democratised information, they have also shattered the traditional economic models that once supported the profession. In Nigeria and across Africa, a quiet but significant shift is occurring: the rise of moonlighting among journalists. What was once a hushed breach of professional ethics is now a widespread survival tactic for many.
The Economic Reality: When Pay Can't Take You Home
The financial foundation of newsrooms is crumbling globally. The collapse of print circulation, dwindling traditional advertising revenue, and fierce competition from digital giants have created an era of instability. Journalists in Nigeria and Zimbabwe are experiencing this crisis acutely, with many lamenting that their "take-home pay can hardly take them home." This stark phrase captures the desperation driving professionals to seek secondary employment.
The promise of the digital revolution has given way to the reality of the gig economy within newsrooms. Journalism is increasingly a portfolio career, not a stable vocation. For countless media professionals, moonlighting is no longer a choice but an essential means of survival in a field that no longer guarantees financial stability.
Blurred Lines: Flexibility at an Ethical Cost
The rise of remote work and digital platforms has made juggling multiple jobs more feasible than ever. Journalists can now engage in freelance writing, public relations, content creation, or corporate communications from the same desk. This flexibility, however, comes with significant professional risks.
The core ethical tension is clear: journalistic credibility rests on perceived independence and neutrality. When a reporter takes on secondary work in PR or corporate communications, it creates unavoidable conflicts of interest. Professional codes of conduct traditionally discourage such practices, yet economic necessity forces a painful compromise. The gap between ethical ideals and the practical need to pay bills lies at the heart of this dilemma.
The Human and Professional Toll
The consequences of this trend are profound and multifaceted. In Nigeria's Southwest, where newsroom budgets are shrinking, the push towards moonlighting leads to journalist burnout, ethical compromises, and a noticeable decline in reporting quality. The situation is even more severe in Zimbabwe, where a broader economic crisis pushes journalists to illicitly incorporate extra paid work.
Globally, the digital era has normalised the portfolio career, but the universal outcome is an erosion of trust. Audiences begin to question the independence of journalists whose incomes are diversified across potentially conflicting fields. The human cost is immense, with mental fatigue, burnout, and the transformation of a passionate vocation into a mere struggle for survival.
Ultimately, moonlighting in digital journalism is a symptom of a broken media economy and a strategy of resilience. It challenges the profession to redefine itself while safeguarding its core integrity. The future of journalism in Nigeria and beyond depends on resolving the fundamental contradiction between economic survival and ethical credibility. As noted by Professor Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, Africa’s first Professor of Cybersecurity and Information Technology Management, this issue demands urgent attention from media organisations, policymakers, and society to ensure that the pursuit of truth is not sacrificed for basic survival.
