Politics
What Manner Of Journalism?
Mass communication experts must be cracking their brains with heavy sledge harmer to actually find a new and more suitable adjective to describe what used to be known as junk Journalism. As for me, what is happening today is much deeper than junk. For want of a better expression, lets call it ‘information terrorism.’
It has crept into journalism practice and now confuses our understanding of the profession. What also suprises many communication experts is the rate at which the political class who are often the victims of the terror, display, gullibility for this trap. Their patronage is the sap that has sustained the oddity in Port Harcourt, the once glorious Garden City; so many of such news trash have sprang up like mushroom in the last few year. Tens of others are currently in their incubation stage – lava, pupa, name it. Most of the wild papers are printed in cubicles located in and around the famous Mile I market. No thanks to computer technology which forms the major technological accessory.
With one functional computer system and a copy typist, a publisher’ is almost adequately equipped to get on with the business. The names are not always outlandish. From ‘Morning Sun’ to ‘Evening Moon’ Newspapers. Indeed, their editorial contents sound like moonlight tales. Rather than teach morals, educate or inform, they go all out to kill and bury. They castigate where they should criticize. They misinform where they should inform and they pass judgment for objective comment.
For them, libel is no longer an enforceable law and should not be respected. Social responsibility is now a game for the irresponsible. The casualties are not only the political class, but the reading public whose right to be truly inform and to read objective and balanced criticism is flagrantly abused.
Last year, the Hon. Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Tonye Harry came on the firering line over some of the allegations made against him at the Justice Eso Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
One of the captions reads ‘More troubles for Rivers Speaker – As he battles to save name. This was followed in quick succession by another even more embarrassing caption in another edition “Tonye Harry Recruits Thugs: Doles out N5m”.
The supposed front page news reads in part: “The Rt. Hon. Speaker may be parting ways with Governor Rotimi Amaechi, as any moment from now, the sword of Damocles hangs over his head. Sooner or later, Rt. Hon. Harry would be referred to as former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly if the forces against him finally had their way.”
This is a clear example of editorialisation in which the reporter injects his personal views and sentiments into what should otherwise be a news report.
It is against the ethics of journalism practice, but since we have convinced ourselves that papers like this are engaged in something other than journalism, it can be pardoned and the issue of etiquette need not arise.
Again, the second supposed news headline is telling whoever its readers are, that the Hon Speaker Tonye Harry has abandoned the serious business of lawmaking for which his constituency sent him to the State House and for which Rivers People made him Speaker, and taken to the recruitment of thugs to scare his accuser, Tonye Harry, son of late Chief Marshal Harry. May be because the latter accused him of having a hand in the kidnap of the mother of the former Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia.
The write up also alleged that the Speaker had already committed N.5 million into the project. The article obviously presented the allegation made against the speaker before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as if it was an established fact proved beyond reasonable doubt. Recently too, one of the Port Harcourt based local tabloids, Envoy made allegations of frand against a Rivers State lawmaker, Hon. Olari Brown in four different editions without substantiating the claim. Such reports can inflame passion. They run contrary to the overall objective of journalism. Any report that ignores facts is junk journalism and does not represent the interest of the public.
Junk must not be packaged as an integral part of journalism. Social Responsibility must be given an overriding consideration above any form of economic and political gains in the efforts to disseminate information.
Journalism is a noble and honourable profession and should not be allowed to be hijacked by ignoble and dishonourable people in the name of politics.
Chukwu is a media consultant based in Port Harcourt.
Ebere Chukwu
Former Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Alkali Baba, has formally declared his interest in the 2027 Yobe State governorship race under the All Progressives Congress (APC), dismissing reported moves within the party to adopt a consensus arrangement.
He made the declaration on Monday in Abuja after submitting his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, insisting that his ambition remains intact and independent of any internal negotiation or agreement to step down.
“I have submitted my nomination form, and I am contesting because I want to continue and improve on where the present governor will stop,” he said.
His entry into the race comes amid growing political discussions within the APC in Yobe State, where some stakeholders are reportedly favouring a former Secretary to the State Government as a consensus candidate ahead of the party primaries.
However, Mr Alkali Baba said he was not part of any such arrangement and had not committed to supporting any aspirant.
“I have not seen where any consensus has taken place. I have not participated in any consensus meeting, and I have not agreed to support anybody,” he stated.
He anchored his governorship ambition on his background in national security and public service, arguing that insecurity remains one of the most critical challenges affecting governance and development in the state.
According to him, strengthening security would create the foundation for economic growth and stability in Yobe.
“Provision of security is the primary objective of government. I have the capacity to do that,” he said.
Beyond security, the former police chief outlined plans focused on agriculture, education, healthcare, and youth empowerment, noting that Yobe’s economy requires deliberate reforms to unlock its full potential.
“We want to improve education, agriculture, health, and create employment opportunities for young people,” he added. “Without security, you cannot function effectively or carry out meaningful economic activity.”
Mr Alkali Baba said his decision to join the governorship race was driven by personal conviction and a sense of duty to contribute to the state’s development.
“I feel I have the passion, credibility, and capacity to lead Yobe State as governor,” he said.
The Leader of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has called for strict adherence to transparency and due process in the conduct of All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, warning against what he described as “backdoor consensus” arrangements that undermine internal democracy.
Sen. Bamidele made the remarks on Monday in Abuja shortly after submitting his APC Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the next electoral cycle.
He said while the Electoral Act provides for consensus as a method of candidate selection, such arrangements must be rooted in openness, con-sultation, and compliance with established party procedures.
“Consensus is only valid when it is transparent, inclusive, and in line with the provisions of the law. It cannot be used as a shortcut to bypass democratic participation,” he said.
The Senate Leader, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, explained that the law provides for different modes of primary elections, including direct, indirect, and consensus options, but stressed that none of these exempt aspirants from proper participation at the ward and constituency levels.
He maintained that where consensus fails or becomes controversial, the party must resort to direct primaries to ensure fairness.
“There must be room for everyone who is qualified and interested to participate. Where disagreements arise, the Electoral Act already provides a clear path through direct primaries,” he added.
Sen. Bamidele noted that consensus arrangements have produced mixed results across constituencies, warning that any process perceived as exclusionary could create internal divisions within the party.
He said his own candidacy in Ekiti Central was backed by broad stakeholder support, which he attributed to consistent engagement and performance, adding that no other aspirant had obtained nomination forms in the district.
“Where consensus works, it is because trust has been earned and processes were properly followed. It must never be imposed or manipulated,” he said.
The Senate Leader, however, cautioned against generalising such outcomes, insisting that all aspirants must be given equal opportunity in party contests across the country.
Sen. Bamidele reaffirmed that internal democracy remains critical to the strength of the APC and Nigeria’s democratic system, urging party leaders to uphold fairness in all electoral processes.
“At every level, our processes must be transparent, competitive where necessary, and fully compliant with the law. That is the only way to sustain confidence in our party and democracy,” he said.
He also urged party stakeholders to avoid actions that could erode trust or create unnecessary tension ahead of the elections, stressing that unity within the APC must be built on fairness and adherence to rules.
The Rivers Youth Leaders Assembly has endorsed Governor Siminalayi Fubara for a second term in office.
The Assembly also scored the Governor high for developments in the areas of infrastructure, human capital and healthcare sectors in particular.
The Speaker of the Rivers Youth Leaders Assembly, Prince Tonye Jeminimema, said Governor Fubara deserves the support of Rivers people in view of his excellent performances in all sectors of the state.
Prince Jeminimema said his group rated the Governor high in the areas of infrastructural development, provision of health facilities, human capital development and capacity building for youths in the state.
Prince Jeminimema said this during a courtesy call to his office by The Energy and Maritime Reporters in Port Harcourt.
He said, “The Youths of Rivers State are giving him kudos. We are passing a vote of confidence on the Governor. The Governor will remain in office till 2031
“Youths of Rivers State are solidly behind him. No going back. The entire Rivers youths believe in Governor Siminilaiyi Fubara.
“He is willing to take Rivers State to the next level”.
According to him, “both the youths and the activists in Rivers State, on this day, agreed that Governor Siminilaiyi Fubara will be returned to office for the second term”.
Leader of the delegation and Chairman of the Association, Comrade Martins Giadom, in his speech acknowledged the leadership potentials of Prince Jeminimema, noting that his style of leadership had contributed to the prevailing peace in the state.
Comrade Giadom commended Rivers youths for their peaceful disposition, which he said had led to peace, not only the state, but across the Niger Delta region.
By: Princess Akinyemi & Princess Mmesomachukwu
