By Davida Spaine-Solomon– Reporter, Truth Media
Freetown, 6th January 2025- It has been four months since I joined Truth Media, and in that short period, my relationship with journalism has been redefined.
Before Truth Media, I had spent three years working in the media space. Those years were filled with learning opportunities, newsroom pressure, deadlines, and the constant demand to tell stories that matter. Yet, beneath the experience and exposure, fatigue had begun to settle in.
By the time August approached, I found myself questioning not just my place in journalism, but whether I still belonged in the profession at all. If anyone had asked me then whether I still wanted to be a journalist, my answer would have been a quiet but firm no.
What I did not realize at the time was that this moment of doubt was not an ending, but a pause one that God would use to realign my purpose.
Truth Media became that place of renewal.
In these four months, I have grown significantly, particularly in how I identify, develop, and pitch story ideas. I no longer see stories only as events to be reported, but as human experiences that require sensitivity, depth, and responsibility. I have learned to interrogate my ideas more critically asking why a story matters, who it serves, and how it can be told ethically and truthfully. Pitching stories has also become a discipline: structuring my thoughts clearly, defending my angles with confidence, and trusting that my voice has value in the newsroom.
As a Gen-Z journalist, what sets me apart is not rigidity or a desire to disrupt for the sake of disruption, but an inquisitive spirit. I am willing to sit back, observe, and learn. I listen attentively, ask relevant questions, and remain open to correction. These qualities have shaped my approach to journalism and continue to strengthen my craft.
One of the most profound lessons I have learned during this period is the value of patience. Journalism is not always immediate; some conversations require waiting, sometimes for days or even weeks because timing and context matter. I have come to understand that discernment is just as important as urgency. Knowing when to speak is as critical as knowing what to say.
This season has also challenged my understanding of professionalism as a Gen-Z journalist. While many young people prefer things done their own way, the reality is that the world and the newsroom does not always operate on our terms. Accepting this truth has been essential to my growth. It has taught me collaboration, respect for process, and the importance of shared vision.
Truth Media has provided a space where this growth is possible. It is an environment that is genuinely Gen-Z friendly, one that welcomes fresh ideas while grounding young journalists in discipline, accountability, and ethical reporting. It is a newsroom where learning is encouraged and where growth is nurtured, not rushed.
Above all, this journey has been sustained by faith. There were moments when I felt unsure, but I have learned to trust that God orders our steps, even when the path feels unclear. Journalism, I now understand, is not just a career it is a calling that requires grace, humility, and courage. And in this season, I have found all three.
Four months in, I am still learning. Still growing. Still becoming. But I am certain again certain of my voice, certain of my purpose, and certain that journalism is where I am meant to be.
