Before Journalism Push Us Out Of Here

By Ifedayo Obi

“In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility – I welcome it.” - John F. Kennedy, in his Inaugural Address January 20, 1961

It is generally believed that after judiciary, journalism is next when it comes to hope for a common man. Journalism is to educate, inform, clarify and establish the true shape of public affairs but it seems in our clime here we do have things vice versa.

With the advent of technology, this profession has taken series of flight with emergence of online media, even printed and broadcasting outfits have been registering their inputs online so as to be relevant. In addition to this, is the FOI act that has been making

everyone to air his or her view on public affairs with all effrontery.

However, the unbecoming abuse of these advantages is at alarming rate

and disheartening as the profession is now who pays the piper dictates the tune. Instead of bridging the gap between government and the public to avoid community ignorance. With no doubt, Thomas Jefferson was right when he said "the man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers" Also, Mahatma Gandi further ascertained that "he believed in equality for everyone except the reporters and photographers".

We want to presume that these two leaders have some facts before their

submissions. In our clime today, politicians have hijacked media outfits at the detriment of the masses. They use media outfits at will to project their selfish interests under the guise of defending the public. Pages are now full of misinformation and character assassination of their perceived foes, even when you try sending a rejoinder the reply from editors will be they got their facts from social media. Surprisingly, clauses like 'from a reliable source...',

a source not permitted to speak on...', '...some indications' and lots more are now order of the days. The question now is, where did they put holistic and thorough investigation enshrined in the profession before filing their reports.

Initially, we thought the mess was just for tension in politics during electioneering period but it seems we are now to live with it if proper steps are not taking. The rate online media outfits and individual writers are committing atrocities at will of their

paymasters, this profession need urgent attention from assigned

authority.
May be some are thinking they are being shielded from this gruesome

today, it might be their turns tomorrow.
To this end, if we don't want to accept Joseph Campbell's stand that

"myth is much more important and true than history. History is just

journalism and you know how reliable that is".

Then we need to put on our thinking caps to salvage this nation from being plunged into irredeemable fracas by media recklessness.

Ifedayo Obi
For
Good Governance Advocates.

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