Between Channels TV and Yar'Adua

By Reuben Abati

"I have always said it, there is no way I can live in this society till the end of time."

"Even if you wish to, it is impossible."

"A friend of mine relocated to the United States and then called to say that he is missing home. I had to ask him: what are you missing? If I have my way, I will pack my things and go and stay with my grandchildren in the white man's country."

"Where?."

"God's Own Country, of course. Where else do you think it will be? Our brother Obama is going to be US President. I'd live in Obama's America."

"Why don't you wait for the man to win the election first"

"He has won already. As far as I am concerned, he is already inside the White House. God has done it. He never fails."

"I am sure it is this kind of reasoning that pushed those people who tried to burgle Obama's grandmother's house in Kenya?"

"Well, I am not a Kenyan. But I can tell you if Obama's grandmother were living in Nigeria, by now, two things would have happened to her. One, traditional rulers would have been falling over themselves to give her chieftaincy titles: Yeye-Obama of Yorubaland, Nne-Gburugburu 1 and so on. Some titles would also have been sent to Obama himself by courier service. Secondly, some characters would probably kidnap her and demand ransom in dollars"

"I think your imagination is just running wild today."

"I know what I am talking about. It is difficult not to be cynical in this country. For the past two days, for example, I have not even been able to watch Channels News at Ten."

"The TV station has been shut down; its licence has been suspended; its premises have been taken over by state security agents."

"I don't miss Channels News, especially at 10. I read the newspapers; I listen to news on Channels TV, my day is complete."

"No, not quite. Add your usual bottle of beer, pepper soup, and those other things you do..."

"Why would a government that says it is committed to the rule of law and the freedom of information clamp down on a television station like that? And why is it not complaining about the AFP, and the BBC - the other news channels that carried the story of the President's alleged resignation? Arrest. Detention. Interrogation. SSS molesting journalists. All of a sudden we are back to the Abacha era."

"The Obasanjo era too."

"It is always easy to demonise journalists, you see. People forget that journalists are performing a Constitutional role when they raise questions about government and the governance process."

"But I hope you are not making excuses for the media in this matter. If you don't mind, I think I like the idea of shaking up Channels TV, a little. Journalists should know that they don't have a right to tamper with national security."

"Which national security? An apology has been given. President Yar'Adua is still the President and Commander-in-Chief. The price of crude oil has not crashed further because of a story on Channels TV. Can we move on?"

"I don't think so. Tell me the law under which the broadcast of false information is allowed. This was how you people said the President was sick and dead, only for him to return from Saudi Arabia, hale and hearty. Now, the media announces that the man has resigned and you can't even call a spade a spade. I don't like people calling a spade a farming implement."

"But that is what it is. Channels TV made a honest mistake. They got a story from News Agency of Nigeria, a government agency and then went to town with it. They didn't say the President has resigned. They said he may resign. English language please. I don't even see any mistake here. People have said worse things about the President in recent times."

"You are bragging. To say that the President of a country wants to resign is not a Breaking News material. It can cause instability. They should have double-checked the story."

"But they promptly retracted the story in less than 10 minutes. They have also apologised. John Momoh had to rush back from London to apologise personally. The News Agency of Nigeria has also said the offending story was authored by hackers, pirates and mischief-makers who chose to circulate a false story using its news format and identity. What more do they want?

"The SSS says there is an orchestrated attack on the President and his family."

"They can investigate that. But to push journalists around, to cart away computers and tapes from a media house. Haba. The journalists in SSS detention have been there now for about three days. Their rights are being violated. If they have committed any offence, they should be taken to court. That is where disputes should be resolved not through the barrel of the gun."

"I think it helps sometimes for government to show that it can bite. You journalists started by "murdering" the man with your pens and mouths. Now, you are trying to suggest that he will resign. Have you ever heard of an African leader resigning from office? President Yar'Adua is sending a signal to you people, not to mess with him. Next time, you people will be careful."

"If the closure of Channels TV and the harassment of NAN is meant to be a signal; it is a bad signal. If the Federal Government is trying to make a point, that point has been made. It should put an end to it now. What government is doing through the SSS and the NBC is inconsistent with what President Yar'Adua says he stands for."

"You want the detained journalists released. You want Channels TV back on air. You want NAN to be absolved of blame. I guess you want the President to invite all the parties involved to dinner and shake their hands"

"Yes. That may be a good strategy, come to think of it. The Yar'Adua government should not begin to act like the soldiers of old. And those guys at the NBC should know that the duty of NBC is also to defend the interest of broadcasting stations. They have not been fair to Channels TV."

"I am not a journalist. But all of you are so anxious to defend your colleagues. Dogs don't eat dogs, or how do you people say it? But when all of this is over, I think some kind of review and assessment will still be necessary in the media. How did Channels TV mix up the story?"

"But why is everybody mentioning Channels TV? What of AFP? What of BBC? They also carried the same story. And the story came through the internet. You have heard that it was written by hackers who compromised the NAN system."

"How should journalists treat internet stuff? That is a question you guys should answer. And why would an agency like NAN use a public domain e-mail address like yahoo which anybody can hack into."

"We are now in the digital age. There are bound to be challenges."

"Digital journalism can be dangerous. The other day I was reading a mainstream newspaper and there were front page stories which were attributed to internet sources. I thought something was not quite right there. The internet is full of garbage. People must be careful what they take from it."

"The reaction of the Yar'Adua government is excessive. Such Gestapo tactics as have been displayed are anachronistic in a democratic setting."

"You still don't get it? Look, a few years ago, this was how one newspaper published a misleading front page story, which the editor said he got from the internet!"

"Okay. Okay. But can you help remind President Yar'Adua about the rule of law?"

"Just be careful. You can't predict a powerful man who thinks he is being treated shabbily by people who should show him some respect."

"Don't worry. This too shall pass. I think this is all a matter of timing. If President didn't announce that he intends to overhaul the Presidency and change his team, there may have been no problem at all. People are using the Channels incident to position themselves for promotion. The President should be careful not to lose the media."

"Is that a threat?"

"Look, what's your problem?"

"That is a question for the Nigerian media."

"Don't worry. The media will always have the last laugh."

"Except in Zimbabwe. Mugabe is still there, the negotiated power sharing deal of this week has not robbed him of anything. He is in charge. "

"The only option for peace in Zimbabwe is for Mugabe to go."

"I think the negotiators opted for the most realistic solution."

" I am not convinced. Mugabe is not interested in sharing power. Already, he says it is humiliating. In other words, he will not allow it to work."

"It may not be that easy."

"You know I don't like this power sharing thing. We have it in Kenya, Cote d'Ivoire and now, Zimbabwe. An incumbent can frustrate the electoral process and then grudgingly agree later to share power. It is a dangerous trend. It does not guarantee peace."

"In Zimbabwe today, the smallest means of exchange is 1,000 Zim dollar. The country is prostrate"

"And Mugabe is the problem."

"We know that. But to force him out could have more tragic consequences. The land question is still volatile. And the army is loyal to Mugabe."

"You see what I always tell you?"

"What?"

"Anywhere you turn in Africa, it is the same story. Take the case of the 28 soldiers in Akure who protested the non-payment of their salaries and arrears by the Nigerian Army authorities. They have been court-martialled and accused of mutiny."

"The penalty for mutiny is death by firing squad."

"Those soldiers fought in Liberia, representing Nigeria. Was it right in the first place not to pay their entitlements? Do they not have the right to ask questions?"

"Military culture is different."

"There is no such thing. We are under a civilian dispensation. Those who need to be court-martialled are the Generals who refused to pay salaries. The Army should be more interested in investigating the non-payment of salaries and not innocent soldiers asking to be paid their wages."

"The matter is in court. A High Court has even ordered that the 28 soldiers be released."

"And the Army authorities have refused to comply. You see what I always tell you? When the new Chief of Army Staff assumed office recently, he said the biggest problem he'd have to deal with is the scourge of indiscipline in the Army. An army that does not respect Court rulings is indeed undisciplined. The Chief of Army Staff should call his men in Akure to order, dismiss the court-martial panel and pay those aggrieved soldiers their money."

"Otherwise?"

"Otherwise what?"

"What are your plans for Independence Day anniversary on October 1."

"None. And I don't care."

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...if Obama's grandmother were living in Nigeria, by now, two things would have happened to her. One...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 19.09.2008 08:00

akuluouno  Villager

# 2 Dear RA Villagers, Like I submitted in an earlier thread, the whole incident is indicative of the fact that Nigeria has lost its mojo. I think it was a mere storm in a tea cup being amplified for lact of nothing to do. It is also indicative of the way crisis is managed in the country. I believe that Channels and NAN have shown enough contrition and offered apt apologies. Indeed government should have left the court of the public opinion to deal with the two newshounds if only government believes in opinions of the public. This is by the way. The whole scenario reminds of one village confirmed thief who went and stole a felllows sandals. Joshua the thief later attended church and at the moment he entered the church, the pastor was saying " Joshua, Joshua, remove your shoes..........". Our thiefing Joshua thought he was the one the innocent pastor was referring to and muttered that this pastor must be a witch. He then ran to the altar, removed the sandals and told the pastor that he would not steal again adding that it was his first time. Meanwhiel our blessed pastoe was only quoting the Bible where the biblical Joshua was asked to remove his shoes because he was standing in a holy place. Except UMYA's handlers have another thing up their sleeves like our bad Joshua, they should call the NAN and Channels bluff and go on with the serious business of governance. On Mama Obama, I beleive that our own Big Momma at SEC would have used her to defraud Nigerians of billions of Naira in support of her grandson Posted by akuluouno| 19.09.2008 12:37

tonsoyo  Villager

# 3 =akuluouno;4295099544>Dear RA Villagers, Like I submitted in an earlier thread, the whole incident is indicative of the fact that Nigeria has lost its mojo. I think it was a mere storm in a tea cup being amplified for lact of nothing to do. It is also indicative of the way crisis is managed in the country. I believe that Channels and NAN have shown enough contrition and offered apt apologies. Indeed government should have left the court of the public opinion to deal with the two newshounds if only government believes in opinions of the public. This is by the way. The whole scenario reminds of one village confirmed thief who went and stole a felllows sandals. Joshua the thief later attended church and at the moment he entered the church, the pastor was saying " Joshua, Joshua, remove your shoes..........". Our thiefing Joshua thought he was the one the innocent pastor was referring to and muttered that this pastor must be a witch. He then ran to the altar, removed the sandals and told the pastor that he would not steal again adding that it was his first time. Meanwhiel our blessed pastoe was only quoting the Bible where the biblical Joshua was asked to remove his shoes because he was standing in a holy place. Except UMYA's handlers have another thing up their sleeves like our bad Joshua, they should call the NAN and Channels bluff and go on with the serious business of governance. On Mama Obama, I beleive that our own Big Momma at SEC would have used her to defraud Nigerians of billions of Naira in support of her grandson akuluouno, I beg na which Church you dey go? So that I can remember not to even waka pass the front of the Church:D So na Joshua God told to remove his shoes because he was standing on holy land? Your Pastor is due for retirement without pension:lol::lol::lol: Posted by tonsoyo| 19.09.2008 13:21

ibiyinka  JJC

# 4 We all have to learn that our country is going through the birth pangs of a democracy, after years of military rule. Our security agencies cannot differentiate between the interest of a government and the interest of Nigeria, and they are often used to advance the interest of an existing government masquerading as the interest of Nigeria. Obasanjo government sent the SSS after African Independent Television in 2005, just like this one went after Channels because of a news item that turned out to be false.Hopefully, our security agencies will become more and more professional and not so easily used for partisan ends Posted by ibiyinka| 19.09.2008 13:55

Kelechi  Villager

# 5 =tonsoyo;4295099555>akuluouno, I beg na which Church you dey go? So that I can remember not to even waka pass the front of the Church:D So na Joshua God told to remove his shoes because he was standing on holy land? Your Pastor is due for retirement without pension:lol::lol::lol: Perhaps, Moses did have another spiritual encounter/transformation where he briefly assumed the image and personality of Joshua in order to re-enact the scene of the burning bush...only this bit is conveniently kept out of the authentic Bible but very much available in Akuluouno's Pastor's version. Secon' base jare! :lol::biggrin: Posted by Kelechi| 19.09.2008 14:48

Zanderlex  Villager

# 6 I go die of laughter for this square!!!!!!!!!! Posted by Zanderlex| 19.09.2008 15:27

emj  Villager

# 7 "If the closure of Channels TV and the harassment of NAN is meant to be a signal; it is a bad signal. If the Federal Government is trying to make a point, that point has been made. It should put an end to it now. What government is doing through the SSS and the NBC is inconsistent with what President Yar'Adua says he stands for." "Don't worry. This too shall pass. I think this is all a matter of timing. If President didn't announce that he intends to overhaul the Presidency and change his team, there may have been no problem at all. People are using the Channels incident to position themselves for promotion. The President should be careful not to lose the media." "Anywhere you turn in Africa, it is the same story. Take the case of the 28 soldiers in Akure who protested the non-payment of their salaries and arrears by the Nigerian Army authorities. They have been court-martialled and accused of mutiny." "The penalty for mutiny is death by firing squad." "Those soldiers fought in Liberia, representing Nigeria. Was it right in the first place not to pay their entitlements? Do they not have the right to ask questions?" "Military culture is different." "There is no such thing. We are under a civilian dispensation. Those who need to be court-martialled are the Generals who refused to pay salaries. The Army should be more interested in investigating the non-payment of salaries and not innocent soldiers asking to be paid their wages." "The matter is in court. A High Court has even ordered that the 28 soldiers be released." Independence Day....hmmm, does that still exist? Posted by emj| 19.09.2008 19:28

akuluouno  Villager

# 8 The Rt Hons Kelelchi and Tonsoyo, I bring you the greetings of our Lord Jesus Christ on this 18th Sunday after Trinity and to state that I am well covered by the Book of Joshua Chapter 5 Verse 15, I believe that is the place. I deliberately left Moses because all you Sunday Sunday xtians are familiar with that. I am also aware that a lame man eschws singing the popular hymnal "Stand up Stand up for Jesus":D:D:D As I always say in some responses, let me leave out the story of how a man divorced her wife because the latter scored an F in Sex till another blessed day:rolleyes: Posted by akuluouno| 21.09.2008 06:35

dem  Villager

# 9 For an illegitimate govt, YD and his handlers are not acting too bright. You would think such a govt would be careful not to get the populace on it's case. Recent actions (Ibori camped at Aso Rock, apointment of Service Chiefs, etc, etc) continue to give the lie to "rule of law." When bad govts the world over have no clue they resort to brute force to assert presense and authority. Shebi we are now talking about this rather than oga YD dropping dead on the rock. Perhaps there is some hint of method to their madness.... Posted by dem| 21.09.2008 09:25

FoxCatcher  Villager

# 10 "What are your plans for Independence Day anniversary on October 1." "None. And I don't care." Seconded Ciao Posted by FoxCatcher| 22.09.2008 07:48