A segment of the Nigerian Press and news organizations, hit a new low in the past couple of days, as they engaged in poor taste journalism or as they engaged in the most inappropriate trade of rumor mongering!

The Times of Nigeria was leading the pack in ignominy, as it announced “the passing” of Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Governor Umar Musa Yar’Adua

The Times of Nigeria was later, to issue a quasi retraction and contrition, saying that it “exaggerated” the “death” of the PDP presidential candidate. I thought that The Times of Nigeria committed and egregious error! It failed to verify and cross-check facts regarding news of such enormous nature and importance, as it rushed to judgment in pronouncing a man, dead, while the man is still living! Should the Nigerian press not have covered the news regarding the ill-health of Governor Yar’Adua with some sense of responsibility?

Does the presidential candidature of Governor Yar’Adua not require some circumspection, some reserve and some sensibility on the part of news reporters, who chose to spread the rumor of his “death”? Governor Yar’Adua candidature confers a status, and stature, a character of national importance and high magnitude, why would any “journalist” rush to repeat and spread speculations and rumors of his “death” so “authoritatively“, but falsely?

Some Nigerian journalists have just added impetus to “don’t believe what you read in newspapers!

It is beginning to appear as if, in these electioneering campaign season, all is fair in war? But what happened to ethics? What does an ethical publisher and his editor think is fit to print? I just happen to live in New York, where my hometown newspaper prides itself with a mantra, “All the news that is fit, to print”

Can anyone pretend that the momentous gaffes and goof-offs, by Nigerian journalists regarding Governor Yar’Adua were reasonable or ethical practice of journalism? Why would any person announce the death of another without a knowing certainty of actual death of such person? Why did Times of Nigeria and others rush to announce the passing of Governor Yar’Adua, who is not just an average individual, but a presidential candidate of a political party in Nigeria in an election that is a little over a month away?

Let us assume that the publishers and editors of those news organizations, which engaged in these death wishes, were all members of Action Congress, even so, it is still expected, that real journalists, would object and kick against such filthy and fetid journalistic style of maliciously announcing the death of political opponents!

We know that journalism is for the most part, an agenda-driven, as it is said, where you stand depends on where you are sitting; so that a social conservative may not in her newpapers, necessarily espouse socially liberal views. But what we have witnessed in Nigeria is brazen! A complete breach of rules, ethics, common sense and whatever is left of our collective conscience and sensibilities.

Why would anyone consider the announcements of death of political opponent a strategy? Why would an political party consider death wishes, as malicious and as wicked, as was demonstrated by some in Nigeria, a campaign strategy?

Why can’t these politicians, political parties and the publisher and editors that are beholden to them, stick to publishing and emphasizing the “manifestoes” if, these political parties without core issues and agendas, actually intend to make any headway with the Nigerian electorate?

If I were an athlete, say a boxer, what does it benefit me, to announce the death of my opponent, instead of actually training and preparing to meet my opponent in the ring, with trained savvy punches? I proceed to maliciously announce my opponent’s death? How does that enhance my jabbing and uppercuts? What if my opponent does not die by the date of the scheduled tournament, and he is ready with trained deadly punches?

I must confess that so much, even too much, has been made of Governor Yar’Adua’s physical health. It true that Nigeria is a big tough country and Nigerians need a healthy and physically fit person to vigorously pursue our national issues, our national interests and all our concerns. I am not Governor Yar’Adua’s personal physician, and neither are his critics!

Let us be clear on this matter of physical health and good governance! Let us compare Nigeria with America and Israel. America had a very popular President Roosevelt, he was the champion of a long lasting legacy of good public policies. President Roosevelt was responsible for massive public works programs that ensured the constructions of highways and bridges across the 50 states of America. He pursued successfully, what is euphemistically referred to as the New Deal and the benefits are still present for all Americans and immigrants like me to see! President Roosevelt, was a physically disabled person and he was wheel-chair bound during his presidency! But good presidency nonetheless!

President Kennedy was one of the most popular president that America ever had, and by all accounts and all measures, President Kennedy’s presidency was hugely successful, even though the duration was short, his short-lived presidency arose from his assassination of course, but, he had physical disability as well during his presidency, he had a debilitating lower back pain, which is well documented.

I grew up, reading news about a late Israeli leader, Mr. Moshe Dayan, who is world renowned for his accomplishments and his conquering powers, and yet, he is one-eyed!

Moshe Dayan was famous for his black leather patch over one eye!

America is at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, when soldiers are killed, the American Press is required to embargo announcement in the media, until the next of kin of such soldiers are contacted and informed by the American military, the average American soldier is accorded such respect, by the American Press! Imagine if it were an American presidential candidate?

Only recently, I had argued the same thing, regarding “truth and objectivity” as I criticized CNN reporting on our Niger Delta, MEND and kidnappings. It bears repeating here, that America did not allow the world press to report footage of body parts and gory details of the World Trade Center attacks! Were it in Nigeria or Africa? Nigerian press would show blood, gory details in the most insensitive manner, all in the name of “truth and objectivity”! We are in the era of poor journalism in Nigeria!

In the Governor Yar’Adua’s case, it has become even worse, in its new development! It is, as if you do not like your political opponent, wish him dead, or better yet, announce his death? How reckless? How insensitive? How egregious?

Why are some Nigerians not focused on manifestoes of the political parties, but instead on who might die and who might not before April? And by the way, who is privy to the medical conditions and physical fitness of the other presidential candidates of other political parties?

Are some just focusing on Governor Yar’Adua for some other reasons?

Has journalism and morality reached such new lows in Nigeria?

Robot  Villager

# 1 A segment of the Nigerian Press and news organizations, hit a new low in the past couple of days,...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 09.03.2007 04:49

pappilo  Villager

# 2 This man writes rubbish. why shouldnt the papers report what they have heard from 'sources' if the PDP chose to keep a tight lip on the situation. As i write the BBC is reporting a case and it quotes unconfirmed sources, this is normal practise in journalism. As for your comparisms i have two words: absolute rubbish, being wheel chair bound, having lower back pain or one eye doesnt afect you ability to carry out presidential duties but having a frequently failing heart or is it kidney does. As per showing limbs and bodies, all new organisations do it. CNN showed people jumping out of the WTC on sept 11 and dead bodies in Iraq, so please think b4 you do your PR job for this useless govt. Posted by pappilo| 09.03.2007 07:36

GASHI  Villager

# 3 Posted by GASHI| 09.03.2007 08:39

ELAWALO  Villager

# 4 Paulo I trust ..... you must have your angle to it through your coloured lens !! You refered to Kennedy, Moshe Dayan & F.D. Roosevelt in your hollow rant. Well this Yar Adua of a man does NOT rank any close ..Period !!. These icons of history endeared their electorate. Yar Adua does not, in the least sense They (Kennedy, Moshe Dayan & F.D. Roosevelt) never required German hospitals, and in times of crisis they stood ebulliently to be counted. No Nigerian took pride in his (Yar Adua's) speculated death, however the confusion that ensued was as a result of hopelessness of an imminent tragedy. ... real, anticipated or imagined!. Dont fault the journalists they rendered our concerns as a populace. Contrary to you myopic opinion it is from where we stand as a people, that they(Journalists) chose to sit ! Only you sound as if you are in concert with OBJ.. and support his chosen hypchondriac candidate. Nigeria in its present state needs a fit and healthy man, not a man who would need to German specialists treatment when he is short of breath ... I expected to read was that you had played 12 sets of squash with this man.... I am not suprised with the flawed logic yo come up with most times ... Needless to say you were definitely off the mark !! Paul, while you have the right to air your jaundiced views...think out of the People Decieving People (PDP) box. Habba !!! End Of Story (EOS) Posted by ELAWALO| 09.03.2007 09:50

GASHI  Villager

# 5 May I apologise to dear Villagers for the language of my post above. I think the only way I can avoid a reoccurence in future is to either stop reading Bar. Paul, or never again dignify his writings with a comment, or both. Please, Admin, you can delete the two posts (the former and the currnt). Posted by GASHI| 09.03.2007 10:16

Auspicious  Villager

# 6 Update at 1307 EST: Comments directed at Gashi retracted after his apologies. Paul Adujie actually has a valid point in that piece he wrote. And Gashi didn't have to open his gash of festering sore like he did, neither has Papilo made any solid point that gives him the ammunition to excoriate or insult the author the way he did. If only they can dissociate their comments from Mr. Adujie's past, and simply judge the latest article from him on the merit it holds - objectively. I remember thinking to myself, on seeing the screaming headlines from those so-called news websites that only publish a story whenever it is sensational enough for them (and remain in hibernation until the next malicious story comes out), that they may come back to eat their words. And that is exactly what has happened. I am sure many Villagers here will bear me witness that this is not the first time that Sunny Ofili and the Times of Nigeria website will publish absolute false stories for public consumption. And if people like Papino and Gashi have any modicum of humble objectivity in them, they would at least acknowledge that fact. While the responsible section of the Nigerian press reasonably held back from screaming out that Yar'Adua was dead, some others recklessly went to town with the news that "Yar'Adua is Dead!", then later added in the body of the report the phrase "uncomfirmed sources". How irresponsible! Whatever happened to "Yar'Adua reported Dead!" or at least "Is Yar'Adua Alive?" While Times of Nigeria.com has humbly apologized for its stupid error and the businessday.com has done the same, we have two people here - Papino and Gashi - trying to 'feel among' by lambasting Paul Adujie, who up till now has being the recipient of many Villagers' (including myself) harshest words for his unwavering and unyielding praise of a government that has literarily failed us all. But that is a different case entirely, as Mr. Adujie has a valid point this time. There are too many Nigerians out there gallivanting around as "journalists" while they show very little regard for the worthy ethics of that profession. It is those journalists who splash photos of caked-out bodies from fire accidents on their front pages; it is those journalists who publish photos of mangled bodies from road misharps or airline crash sites on their news sites. It is those journalists who publish uncomfirmed stories and rumors as news - screaming factual headlines and all! While Nigerian journalists sat on their butts and shelled-out rumours as facts, while they simply went ahead and published falsehood, the British Broadcasting Company simply used the resources at their disposal - the same resources at the disposal of their Nigerian counterparts - by placing a simple phonecall to Germany and spoke to the man Yar'Adua. It wasn't until they confirmed his status that they published their story with absolute conviction: "Nigerian front-runner 'will stand'". Before that was "Rumors about Nigerian front-runner health" or something like that. Like I said, Mr. Adujie has excellent points in his argument all the way. His reference to the examples of ailing leaders who held public offices in history goes some way in making his case - unlike his two 'critics' up there, who had little points to justify their excoriation of Mr. Adujie. Apart from Papino's mention of PDP's hoarding of news about Yar'Adua's health and whereabouts, he had little else to say. Ok, it is true that hoarding news feeds rumors, but the press should know it has to be responsible in practising its profession. It may be ok for people on the street to say what they want but journalists need to be professional at alll times! One cannot however ignore how the powers that be continue to be cavalier with detailed information about Mr. Yar'Adua's health - or their habit of being cavalier with news generally. Press Conferences! Press Conferences!! Press Conferences!!! You can't go wrong with that at all, as keeping mute feeds the thirst for misinformation and rumors! The Third Term palaver was a good example, as we speculated and speculated till the whole country was on the edge - and Baba and Co. were content to keep mute about it. Speaking only after it was shot-down by those who could stand up to them. Well, it pays to speculate afterall, for our fears were eventually confirmed back then, as our fears are being confirmed right now about Yar'Adua's health. Or tell me, which kind of healthy man jets out of the country in the middle of a campaign - at the peak of the campaign and a month to the election! - for a week-long medical check-up? Yet they insist he is as healthy as a Squash Shampion'! As Shina Peters said to Sunny Ade while the latter was seriously ill some years back, I wish Mr. Yar'Adua a "quick recover"! I wish him long life and better health. I hope he has what it takes to run this country IF he wins in a free and fair election. Auspicious. Posted by Auspicious| 09.03.2007 10:21

jojo  Villager

# 7 ''quick recover'' grammar no be my language lol lol lol Posted by jojo| 09.03.2007 10:44

Free Publius  Villager

# 8 Ausp, Your point is well made. While Adujie may have made some valid points in this article, his heretofore record of absurdity, furthered by the hypocrisy in this article, does not make it easy to separate his past from present. Atiku who is wont to criticize Western press whenever they write something against OBJ is now willing to compare them favorably against Nigerian press. When did the conversion take place? Furthermore, Adujie is now holding the Western press an infallible; this is entirely unavailing. The same NY press he's referring to have been know to report, on their front pages, wrong results of contentious elections. And often, they dont even bother with retractions. The same NY Times Adujie's now ready to shower praises on was used as the megaphone to trumpet the non-existent WMD in Iraq. Please, we can rightfully admonish Nigerian reporters for irresonsible reporting but let us not forget that no reporter group is perfect. Free Publius Posted by Free Publius| 09.03.2007 10:53

I Love Nigeria  Villager

# 9 Free Publius Villager Re: Malicious Death Wishes & Poor Journalism in Nigeria! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ausp, Your point is well made. While Adujie may have made some valid points in this article, his heretofore record of absurdity, furthered by the hypocrisy in this article, does not make it easy to separate his past from present. Atiku who is wont to criticize Western press whenever they write something against OBJ is now willing to compare them favorably against Nigerian press. When did the conversion take place? Furthermore, Adujie is now holding the Western press an infallible; this is entirely unavailing. The same NY press he's referring to have been know to report, on their front pages, wrong results of contentious elections. And often, they dont even bother with retractions. The same NY Times Adujie's now ready to shower praises on was used as the megaphone to trumpet the non-existent WMD in Iraq. Please, we can rightfully admonish Nigerian reporters for irresonsible reporting but let us not forget that no reporter group is perfect. Free Publius We know where you stand! We know what is in your mind..... slip and slip and all! You finally succeeded in INSULTING me, by calling me ATIKU! We know that Atiku is in your mind... every time all the time! Please call me any name, but Atiku! Posted by I Love Nigeria| 09.03.2007 13:28

I Love Nigeria  Villager

# 10 Auspicious wrote these fine words and I am delighted to excert them hereunder: There are too many Nigerians out there gallivanting around as "journalists" while they show very little regard for the worthy ethics of that profession. It is those journalists who splash photos of caked-out bodies from fire accidents on their front pages; it is those journalists who publish photos of mangled bodies from road misharps or airline crash sites on their news sites. It is those journalists who publish uncomfirmed stories and rumors as news - screaming factual headlines and all! Like I said, Mr. Adujie has excellent points in his argument all the way. His reference to the examples of ailing leaders who held public offices in history goes some way in making his case - unlike his two 'critics' up there, who had little points to justify their excoriation of Mr. Adujie. Apart from Papino's mention of PDP's hoarding of news about Yar'Adua's health and whereabouts, he had little else to say. Ok, it is true that hoarding news feeds rumors, but the press should know it has to be responsible in practising its profession. It may be ok for people on the street to say what they want but journalists need to be professional at alll times! Many thanks, Auspy! Posted by I Love Nigeria| 09.03.2007 13:32

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