Issues
When ‘Perks’ Dictate Content
Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed
Writing in Freedom
Forum’s best practices series, “The Art of leadership in News Organisation”, two renowned editors, Jack Fuller of the Tribune Pubishing Co., and Norman Pearlstine of Time Inc., made very impressive points about how the interface between journalism and society not only shapes the course of development and democracy but also helps journalists eke a living in the profession. They reckoned that the understanding of reporters, editors and publishers of their public service role, determines how impactful the profession would be to society.
For Fuller, “The fact that you can earn your living writing and writing honestly, is a very attractive thing about journalism”. And Pearlstine argued that, “the best publishers understand the journalists’ mission, and the best editors view their publishers as partners”. They argued that with that understanding, the journalism they unleash inspires development in all spheres, promotes peace, ensures justice and equity for all, and drives corruption to oblivion.
Indeed, journalism really matters to the smooth functioning of society, especially in a democracy. Like many professions, journalism thrives when it epitomizes the fibre of integrity. To justify this means that it must combine the thrill of the hunt with nobility of purpose. Anything aside that denigrates not just the profession but its practitioners, who believe in the age-long guiding principles of honesty, objectivity and neutrality, among other core values.
But the character of journalism today in Nigeria is at cross roads. The fibre of integrity that it embodies is threatened not by the lack of qualified manpower, enabling environment, dearth of media organizations to take in professionals, modern technology to drive innovation and creativity or when the absence of laws that promote press freedom, but by the perks of ‘bad’ practices.
At a time when bribery and corruption have plunged Nigeria into a famished democracy, sucked dry by those who had been entrusted to deliver hope, development and prosperity to the people of Africa’s most populous nation and the world’s largest black country, and the new government of President Muhammadu Buhari is squaring up for an all-out war against the hydra-headed monster to emphasise its policy of zero tolerance for corruption as a means of reversing the ugly trend, journalism is also facing a debilitating challenge. And whether we believe it or not, practitioners need to purge themselves from this social malaise, or crassly allow journalism lose its potency.
Otherwise, how else does one explain to the next generation of journalists that the time-tested values which had shaped journalism as a noble profession and respected as such, now battles to save its face from the shame of having to admit that the perks of ‘bad’ practices dictate editorial content in many media organizations, especially newspapers in Nigeria. Make no mistake about it, it is a fact. And this is daunting challenge to many professional journalists.
Yes! It goes by many names: brown envelope. ‘media-by-media, ‘perks of the practice’, ‘transport refund’, ‘press conference’, ‘press list’, ‘press ID’, meal ticket’, and countless other demeaning names.
In most media houses, the availability of any of these determines the content of the story and the possibility of it being published or used. These are the many sides of the same coin, and there perforate almost every story in the conventional media.
There are three faces to these challenges. The first is understandable: The quacks, which have neither the qualification nor the medium of practice. They are charlatans who parade themselves as journalists, and fraudulently rip unsuspecting members of the public, including corporate citizens of money under the pretext that they would help get their stories out in the media. They operate as a cartel and some have insiders in institutions and organizations. This is the popular syndicate that most journalists, unions and associations have worked with security agencies to systematically crush. But have they succeeded in eliminating these hawks? You might just be waiting for a Crusade in the next generation to do just that!
The second is a cankerworm. One of the most critical challenges to best practices in journalism is the dominant corrupting influence of the ‘perks of the practice’, in editorial content in most media organizations, whether privately-owned or government-driven. The problem is that the endemic corruption in the political firmament, and indeed, the corporate business community has crept into journalism in Nigeria. I t comes in many formats. But the bottom-line is that the content of most news is determined by how much money it generates to the reporter or editor. With this, the objective and neutral character of the news is lost and the positive impact it is supposed to make to societal development is stunted.
The last is a new growing monster: ID Card as Meal Ticket! Of serious concern is the corporate or institutional recognition of the fact that the reporter should use his identity card as a tool to provide mean ticket for his family. In fact, some media houses have institutionalized this practice to the point that some editors boldly ask their reporters to go out there, and use their ID Cards to provide food on their tables and not depend on salaries to survive. Consequently, a litany of these media houses do not bother to pay salaries of journalists working for them. From very popular television and radio stations to widely read, and albeit, ‘respected’ independent newspapers, this trend of salaries owed for eight to nineteen months or more, is becoming the norm. Only recently, the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists championed a campaign to picket and or shut down some media houses in parts of Nigeria, especially Lagos, for this callous corporate show of shame. AIT/RayPower, ThisDay, Daily Independent, you name them! They were harassed, hounded and threatened, to pay up or face the wrath of the journalists’ professional cum industrial union.
One thing is clear from all these issues: when the perks of bad practice dictate editorial content in the media, especially print, the very essence of journalism is lost, editorial content is compromised and society suffers great injustice as a result. When the corrupting influence of money determines story slants and indeed, the possibility of a story seeing the light of the day, development and democracy are strangulated and the greedy political class, and the shrewd, mindless corporate business players turn society to miniature empires and colonies. When media-by-media becomes a flourishing norm, journalism losses its very critical fibre of integrity, and succumbs to the overbearing power of corrupt, arrogant and lawless few rich, the hope that we seek to build for posterity, unfortunately, will disappear.
This is why the leaderships of the NUJ, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and the Nigeria Press Council (NPC), must synergise and device strategies and new approaches to deal with this growing challenge to best practices in journalism. They should stop pretending that all is well in the profession. This is not a challenge of poor working environment, new technology, dwindling production targets and circulation, or lack of quality manpower. No!
It is a new social force driven by corruption, and this threatens our cherished profession, a calling that necessarily and naturally drives its value from the challenge to fight corruption, deprivation, injustice, inequality and the many unfair practices driving society. It is a new monster that may soon rub journalists in Nigeria of the respect they have worked so hard for, even as an instrument to chase colonialists away from the shores of Africa. Journalism must regain its character as the fibre of integrity. It must reclaim its lost glory as the engine of development, and the building block of social integration, peace and mutual concord. Let journalism of excellence return to our newsrooms, so that posterity will not chastise this generation of journalists.
Nelson Chukwudi
In 2015, I made a conscious decision to invest my financial resources, my time, and energy into supporting Nyesom Wike’s gubernatorial campaign. I poured my heart and soul into ensuring Nyesom Wike emerged victorious even at the risk of my personal safety.
Again in 2019, I doubled down on my commitment. I invested a significant amount of money to procure campaign outfits for all twenty-three Local Governments Areas of Rivers State. I spared no expense in supplementing Wike’s election efforts in my own local government, and once again putting myself at great risk to safeguard the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
However, despite my unwavering loyalty and sacrifices, I found myself abandoned and forgotten by Wike. Throughout his eight-year tenure, he failed to acknowledge my contributions or fulfill his promises and agreements. Even as a former Deputy Governor, Wike denied me my severance benefit.
My investment in Wike’s governorship was not just financial – it was a commitment of passion, dedication, and belief in a better future for Rivers State. Yet, his leadership style of dishonesty, greed, drunkenness and rash abuse of senior citizens brought me nothing but disappointment, misery and losses.
By the grace of God, today I speak not as a victim, but as a hero. I have accepted my losses, and I have moved on. And as I reflect on my experience, I cannot help but urge Wike to do the same and allow peace and development to reign in Rivers State.
Nyesom Wike, when you speak of investing in Governor Sim Fubara’s election, remember those like me who also invested in you. Remember the sacrifices I made, the risks I took, and the promises and agreements you left unfulfilled.
It is time for you, Wike, to let go of the past and allow Governor Sim Fubara the breathing space he needs to lead Rivers State forward. Allow him to focus on the challenges of good governance and the aspirations of the people. Spare him these unwarranted and ill-conceived political manoeuvrings founded on personal agenda and not for general good of Rivers State and her people.
I may have lost my investment on Wike, but I have not lost hope in the future of Rivers State. And together, we will continue to strive for a brighter tomorrow.
Long Live the Governor to Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara!
Long Live the Good People of Rivers State!!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Engr Ikuru is former Deputy Governor of Rivers State.
Tele Ikuru
The man Tony Okocha, the devastated tattered ragtag remnant Rivers APC factional, but Caretaker, Chairman, is known for being notoriously a hireling willing to play in the mud just for the pay or settlement. To Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, he did against Chief Nyesom Wike. To Senator Magnus Abe, he did against Rotimi Amaechi. To Chief Nyesom Wike, he did against Magnus Abe. Having maintained such unbefitting character trait, it is not surprising to see him at his demeaned best showing off his tainted skill of grandstanding and loquaciously struggling fruitlessly almost every day to castigate the popular Rivers people’s Governor with very glaring false, bogus and unsubstantiated claims such as:
1. That Governor Fubara is wasting state fund in the name of thanksgiving across 23 Local Government Areas.
2. That Governor Fubara has withheld Local Government funds.
3. That Governor Fubara runs the government without input from the State Executive Council.
4. That nothing is happening in the State with respect to governance.
To the above false claims of Tony Okocha, every reasonable, right thinking and well-meaning Rivers person would effortlessly puncture all as rascality and mendacity taken too far.
Apart from the fact that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had said he is not sponsoring the massive SIMplified Movement Thanksgiving events across the Local Government Areas of the State being organised by elated Rivers people who feel liberated from an era of overbearing and suppressive form of leadership in the State, Tony Okocha should be asked to prove his false claim with indisputable facts and figures. Until then, let Tony Okocha respect himself and learn to keep quiet as an elderly person who is saddled with such a responsible position as Rivers State Representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board. A position that places a huge responsibility on him to ensure that the core objectives of the commission are actualised in the State, by not only ensuring that Rivers State gets its fair share of its dues in terms of projects, programmes and activities, but by synergising with the state government on development matters concerning the state vis-a-vis the responsibilities of NDDC to the State. In summary, the SIMplified Movement is all about a happy and joyful people of Rivers State who have decided to stand and stick together to defend and uphold their common heritage and patrimony. It is a voluntary venture, not sponsored by the government.
To his claim that the Governor has withheld Local Government funds, Mr Tony Okocha should also be asked to prove that with facts and figures and explain why the Governor would do such. More so, what is Tony Okocha’s business, assuming, but not conceding, that a PDP Governor withholds money against PDP-led 23 Local Government authorities? Did Local Government workers across the state complain to Okocha, the meddlesome hireling, an acclaimed APC Caretaker Committee Chairman in Rivers State?
On his ignorant and false claim that the Governor runs the government without input from the state exco, Okocha, the busybody wannabe should explain how he was employed or engaged as the spokesperson of members of the Rivers State Executive Council. He should also tell us his source of information to that effect, if it is not just a proof that he is making himself known as a perpetually irredeemable hireling notoriously good for playing the spoiler’s role.
On Mr Okocha’s assertion, probably, borne out of lack of more convincing lies, that nothing is happening in the State with respect to governance, is sure a proof that the man is only acting a bad and an unsellable script to justify the reward of expected gratifying filthy lucre, which is the compelling reason for condescending so low and evilly so. How else is governance measured, if not by executing meaningful and impactful projects, giving hope, inspiring and putting smiles on the faces of the people with joy of fulfilment in their hearts, both civil servants and everyone living and doing business in the State? Is Okocha blind to see and deaf to hear of the good works of the Governor Fubara led Rivers State Government? Civil servants are happy, teachers are highly elated. Several projects are ongoing. Investors are trooping in. The health sector, education, agriculture, sports have been highly boosted under Governor Fubara-led administration. To Okocha, there’s no governance in the State because patronage of free money is not getting to him from the Governor but from other sources that are likely against the Governor.
Let Tony Okocha weep more. Rivers State is breathing fresh air already and is liberated.
Let Tony Okocha tell us how he has, so far, as Rivers State Representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), clearly effected development in the State through the NDDC, and why he lied that there was Cholera outbreak with deaths recorded in Soku in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area with the intent of raking in about ¦ N5billion for non-existent mitigation programmes?
Odike is Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Social/New Media .
Bernard C. Idike
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, commonly known as FDR, was an American statesman and politician who served as the 32nd President of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945. He was a member of the Democratic Party and is the only United States President to have served more than two terms.
In one of his popular quotes, he said, “The creed of our democracy is that liberty is acquired and kept by men and women who are strong and self-reliant, and possessed of such wisdom as God gives mankind – men and women who are just, and understanding, and generous to others — men and women who are capable of disciplining themselves. For they are the rulers and they must rule themselves.”
This explains the recent gathering of creme la creme of Asari-Toru political gladiators converged at the inauguration of the Simplified Movement, ASALGA chapter to reiterate their unflinching support for the Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara whose mantra revolves around liberation.
The event which took place at the Autograph in Port Harcourt on the 1st of March, 2024, to galvanise strong support for Governor Fubara attracted over 500 members of the Simplified Movement from the Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The gathering of supporters of Governor Fubara’s government, under the umbrella of the Simplified Movement, the ASALGA chapter led by an astute politician, former member of the Federal House of Representatives and two- time member of the Rivers State Executive Council as Commissioner, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall comprised both the old and young generation political helmsmen drawn from all the 13 Wards of the local government area.
The nerve-““““““wracking gathering had the likes of the 1999 democratic system pioneer Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Council and former two-time Special Adviser to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, Hon. Opakirite Mackson Jackreece; former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Adokiye Young-Harry; former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Daisy West and former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, Chief Hon. Iboroma Norman Wokoma.
Others were the incumbent Vice Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Council, Hon. (Mrs.) Tekena Wokoma; former Commissioner of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Hon. Dr. Hope Barango; the South-West Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Sule Amachree and the Secretary of the Local Government chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Cladious Princewill; former Chief of Staff of Council, Hon. Ajumogobia West and former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ASALGA, Hon. Onari Awo Tariah.
Also present at the event were past caretaker committee chairmen of the Local Government Council including, Hon. Waite Harry, Hon. Dawari Hamilton Ibinabo, Hon. Wright Warmate and former Deputy Mayor of the Port Harcourt City Council, Hon. Adokiye Horsfall amongst others. My humble self belongs to the movement. The list is inexhaustible.
Speaking at the inauguration, the member representing Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency and leader of the Asari-Toru political family, Hon. Boma Goodhead assured the people of the commitment of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to extend visible dividends of democracy to the people of ASALGA.
The federal lawmaker who spoke through her representative, Dr. Sule Amachree, said Governor Fubara means well for Rivers people, particularly the people of ASALGA and urged them to remain calm, peaceful and resolute in their support to the administration of the State Governor.
“His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara is the Governor ordained by God to liberate Rivers people from the snares of poverty and oppression. He is God-sent to bring visible and even development to Rivers State and Asari-Toru people are on the top of that agenda of development,” she said.
Hon. Goodhead reiterated her confidence in the capacity of the leader of the Simplified Movement, ASALGA chapter, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall to mobilise massive support and a huge source of encouragement for the Government of Sir Siminalayi Fubara to succeed.
“I urge you to continue to stand firm with our Governor. Be rest assured that His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara is a man of peace, focused and determined to deliver on the mandate given to him by the people of Rivers State. He will not fail you,” she said.
In his speech, the leader of the ASALGA chapter of the Simplified Movement, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall described the movement as a child of necessity born out of the hunger of Rivers people for a paradigm shift from oppression to liberation.
“As witnessed across the length and breadth of Rivers State, the Simplified Movement is a child of necessity, born out of the hunger for a paradigm shift from oppression to liberation, with one core objective to promote and defend the interests of Rivers State and her people. It is on this account, we stand as dependable allies giving strong support to the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara in his pursuit of peace and commitment to the genuine development of Rivers State.
“It is our position that with the elections come and gone, it is practically a time to face governance and to ensure deliverables of dividends to the people of Rivers State in the atmosphere of peace, security and stability,” he said.
Chief Samuel Horsfall explained that Rivers people saw the leadership qualities needed to achieve the sole objective to genuinely defend and promote the interest of the State in Governor Fubara, hence the spontaneous massive support expressed in the birth of the Simplified Movement.
He recounted avalanche of achievements made by Governor Fubara within six months in office. “We appreciate the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his resilience and determination to make a difference. It is on record and attestable by all, the numerous projects being executed by his administration.
“Such as the ongoing construction of the gigantic Port Harcourt Ring Road project, the 20,000 housing units for low income earners, the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Unity road, the near completion of the 10km Old Port Harcourt-Bori road, the Emohua-Kalabari road, the 6.5km Woji-Alesa-Refinery link road and the inclusion of the remaining part of the Trans-Kalabari road project in the 2024 budget. “Moreover, the promotion of the State civil servants, first time in history payment of N100,000.00 Christmas bonus to civil servants across board, approval of promotions and implementation of N30,000.00 minimum wage for local government workers and the N4 billion single digit interest loans facility for Small and Medium Scale business operators in Rivers State. All these achievements within six months in office are eloquent testimonies of Governor Fubara to deliberately improve the welfare of Rivers people.
“We are convinced that such a proven great mind and well experienced, tested and trusted administrator/technocrat, Governor Fubara has demonstrated the capacity to deliver effectively the needed democratic dividends to Rivers people. It is on this convention we are gathered here for the umpteenth time to reaffirm our unalloyed support and commitment to his administration,” Chief Samuel Horsfall declared.
He disclosed that the gathering was to put in place citizens mobilisation strategy to forge a collaborative bond with the Governor to foster partnership for the development of ASALGA and the State. He, therefore, advised those he called detractors of Governor Fubara’s administration to desist forthwith and allow the Governor to remain focused in his quest to deliver on his mandate.
“All detractors should desist from further attacks on the Governor and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie and allow the Governor to focus on the delivery of the good policies and programmes to Rivers people. We unequivocally condemn attempts by disgruntled Abuja politicians to employ intimidation antics against the former Speaker of the 10th State Assembly and current Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie and others who are standing on the path of justice and good conscience for the collective good of Rivers State.
“We equally urge the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to be discreet in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities in the State and not to allow themselves to be used by selfish individuals who do not mean well to fuel political crisis in Rivers State.
Chief Samuel Horsfall also commended the federal lawmaker, Hon. Boma Goodhead for her doggedness and resilience in supporting Governor Fubara since the wake of the political crisis in the State.
Several other personalities spoke to express their support to the State Governor and urged the people to ASALGA to maintain their peaceful disposition and remain steadfast in the Simplified Movement to give the state government maximum support to continue to render good governance to Rivers people.
Highlights of the event were the inauguration of the elders and stakeholders of the Simplified Movement for the 13 Wards as well as the executive committee of the movement in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
Amieyeofori Ibim
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