The value of maritime journalists in a multi-trillion dollar industry 

Maritime journalists report on *trillions of naira* in government revenues and taxes generated by agencies, port procurements, project costs, ship traffic, vessel calls, and trade analyses in oil & gas – both import and export, etc.

They cover *piracy attacks on ships*, the *geopolitics and power plays in the Gulf of Guinea*, legislative oversight, policy undercuts, regulatory malpractices, shipping and terminals extortions and exploitations, professional mid placements, associations advocacies, and every critical development that shapes the sector, etc

This clearly implies that maritime journalists operate within a *multi-trillion dollar industry and environment*.

So why then should they be reduced to mere cheap PRs or “brown envelope” journalism?

They work tirelessly to investigate, report, and give visibility to the maritime industry. Yet when they fall sick, get injured, or die in the line of duty, little or no recourse is made available to them.

It must be stated clearly: *Maritime journalists are critical stakeholders in the maritime industry supply chain*. Their work drives transparency, accountability, policy reform, and investor confidence.

*This is the import of this modest intervention.*
It is a call for the industry, government, and stakeholders to recognize, protect, and institutionalize welfare structures for maritime journalists. The pen that guards a multi-trillion naira industry deserves dignity, safety, and support.

Let’s change the narrative. We can 🙏🏼

Fwdr Eugene Nweke Rff.