Media Manipulation

The media is manipulated in all manners, for example through professional public adverts, and covert and overt government propaganda which disseminates propaganda as news. What are often deemed as credible news sources can often knowingly or unknowingly be pushing political agendas and propaganda. The last election to me was purely a media battle, there wasn’t much differences between PDP and APC ideologically. APC was able to employ the finest and thereby had a robust media campaign. Nigerians were deceived by the change slogan which was constantly been sang from home and in the diaspora, the tsunami was too much for PDP and it eventually defeat was not shocking.

Smear tactics are often used to discredit, stain or destroy the reputation of someone. It is unfortunately common-place and is an age-old technique. It can either involve outright lies, or a distortion of the truth. With the increasing popularity of the Internet, and search engines such as Google, smearing is taking on additional forms and techniques. It’s easy to spread false information across the globe and hatred are now easily sellout to the public through the internet.

Nigeria media outlet are also not helping the general public, there inability to verify facts and propaganda are embarrassing and disgracing to the media reputation of the country. Sahara Reporters for example sees nothing good about the former president, even though GEJ did his very best for the nation given the enormous challenges faced by his government. Corruption could not be tackle easily in a country like Nigeria because all the public and private sectors are already infected. Everything about the opposition was awesome and perfect in the eyes of Sahara Reporters, thereby feeding their readers with propaganda and fake news.

Why so many Nigerians were angry with Fani Kayode and Ayodele Fayose, because of the position they occupy, not so many pay attention to some Buhari cabals who lead the massive and fake media onslaught on GEJ. I will remember an open letter written by Comrade Ahmed Omeiza Lukman based in Ukraine to GEJ, which was published by Leadership newspaper on Feb 15, 2015, the content of the letter were treasonable and a ploy to destabilize the polity. In advanced country people like Lukman should have been arrested at once and made to face the consequence of his action. His actions eventually shows the desperation on the part of APC to clinch power by all means necessary.

2015 has seen some revelations in the mainstream about fake news whereby organizations and journalists working for some individuals or political parties have produced news reports. The problem arises where these reports are either presented as factual news by journalists, or have been rebroadcast by news stations without revealing that the segment is from individuals or political parties, thus giving it the appearance of genuine news. If Nigeria must move forward media house will have to redefine their position, make research and present to their viewers facts. The people must not be screwed to give an undue advantage to any political party or individuals.

Mariam Abdullahi (ABU Zaria)