By Esther Oseyiomon
Management and staff of The Whistler have called for a sustainable balance between profitability and public trust at the organisation’s 2026 annual retreat held in Abuja.
The two-day retreat brought together editors, business managers and industry stakeholders to reflect on the future of journalism amid shrinking revenues and shifting audience behaviour.
General Manager of The Whistler, Young Ozogwu, said the media industry must rethink its model beyond the traditional click-driven economy and find ways to survive without compromising integrity.
According to him, although media organisations are profit-oriented, they also serve the public interest and must not sacrifice truth and credibility on the altar of financial pressure.
Chief Operating Officer, Christian Chukwu, described journalism as a responsibility before it becomes a business, stressing that holding power accountable remains the primary duty of the press.
Chukwu said The Whistler has structured its operations to separate revenue-generating ventures from editorial decision-making in order to safeguard independence.
Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of The Cable, Simon Kolawole, urged media organisations to embrace innovation and diversified revenue streams while maintaining ethical standards.
Kolawole noted that partnerships, publishing ventures and structured funding arrangements can support sustainability, provided they do not interfere with editorial judgment.
Participants agreed that as technology reshapes news consumption across print and digital platforms, media houses must adapt strategically while remaining firmly committed to professionalism and the pursuit of truth.