The media is and should be guided by ethics. At a time when a good number of journalists with integrity are trying to clean up the media profession and play the unbiased role given to it by the constitution, the likes of hungry reporters of this nature continue to rubbish the profession as a result of their gluttonous tendencies, greed and practice of journalism of stomach infrastructure.
By Oriaifoh Godwins
In their editions of Monday October 18, 2015, the Vanguard and Leadership newspapers published a story on the impeachment of the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly.
After reading the story, I was surprised to discover the extent to which some journalists can go in tarnishing the image of some persons as a result of whatever inducement they are given to encourage them to do so.
I was more taken aback by the fact that such unbalanced report was published by national newspapers that seem to have gained credence and are held in high esteem by some persons in the country, without the persons employed by the newspapers to do the needful, like the editor and the sub editors fulfilling their professional obligations before allowing the story to be in print.
The reporter that wrote the story in the Vanguard newspaper, one Simeon Ebegbulem and the other that reports for Leadership newspaper, as well as the editors they report to, have succeeded in bringing shame and disgrace to the Vanguard and Leadership newspapers, as well as to the media profession.
They need to undergo some retraining (if they were trained for the job in the first place) to enable them be in tune with modern day practice in journalism.
If it was a regional or community newspaper that committed such heinous error; it could have been seen as an oversight or overzealousness on the part of the publisher, but not a national paper like the Vanguard and Leadership.
Again, I understand that the said reporters are old hands in the profession; but they failed to apply wisdom in the practice of their profession and the senseless and irresponsible manner in which they conducted themselves, is a slap on the face of the profession.
Even though I agree in totality that no man is perfect, journalists inclusive, there are certain salient mistakes that one commits that will raise some questions.
For example, questions like what sort of training did they receive? Do they have any morals at all? How much could they have received that made them to embarrass themselves and the organizations they work for, in this manner, and to this extent?
It is good to see how all the honorable members of Edo State House of Assembly, during their sitting the following day, Tuesday, October 20 condemned the newspaper reports and distanced themselves from the Publication.
As if what these reporters did was not enough, another reporter for new Telegraph, one Cajetan Mmuta, who seems to be in the same category with the said Vanguard and Leadership Newspapers reporters (in terms of low ethical conduct in the practice of Journalism) on Tuesday, October 20, published rubbish.
According to the report, the Speaker apologized to the Lawmakers and that the intervention of the Comrade Governor of Edo State in the matter calmed some of the more aggrieved lawmakers. Hmmmm, some persons that read these stories called it complete nonsense.
It is characteristic of me to ignore reports and issues of this nature because I see these kinds of reporters as opportunists and persons that do not have any business being in the media profession.
Again these reporters may have done what they did in other to be recognized hence win prizes from their respective media Houses, or some organizations for being the best reporters of the year 2015, since the year is gradually coming to an end, after wasting all the months from January to September, 2015 in pursuing vain things.
They need to be properly schooled in the profession that they have found themselves in either as a result of the level of unemployment in the country, or as fate has it for them.
For these reporters to rubbish the much esteemed journalism profession in this manner, to the extent that some persons are beginning to see journalist as scavengers and blackmailers, to the extent that journalists are now being looked down upon in the society, calls for immediate action from the members and authorities of the fourth Estate of the realm.
The media is and should be guided by ethnics. At a time when a good number of journalists with integrity are trying to clean up the media profession and play the unbiased role given to it by the constitution, the likes of hungry reporters of this nature continue to rubbish the profession as a result of their gluttonous tendencies, greed and practice of journalism of stomach infrastructure.
The Vanguard reporter again shot himself on his leg when on Wednesday, 21st October, he again published a story he captioned “Edo ALGON denies allegation of N36m monthly deduction from LGs”
In this said report, he quoted Mrs. Itohan Osahon Ogbeide the Chairman of ALGON in the state as saying “…the renovation of legislators’ quarters is not the responsibility of the local governments…”
Hmmmmmmm, the reporter in that report tries to be smart. He is trying to clean up his mess after defecating everywhere.
It is again possible that he may have been advised by some persons to do this follow up story which in their opinion, will balance the first one he did, but the truth remains that he is only beating about the bush.
Here comes a superior advice to the Vanguard and Leadership reporters; “Clean up your mess by apologizing to the honorable members of Edo State House Of Assembly and the number three citizen in Edo State, the Speaker, as well as the profession that you have brought shame and disgrace upon” take my advice immediately and sin no more sirs.
Oriaifoh Godwins is the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly
Osarumwense Okunmwendia liked this on Facebook.