Growing up in Benin City, Nigeria, the land of my infancy, I wanted to be a journalist because of the unique place of journalism in the affairs of men at that time. However, I am grateful that I did not become one, as I would have had a running battle with some journalists called “the Brown Envelope Journalists.”
The unethical practice of some journalists writing about stories they know nothing about is undesirable. Even more worrisome is the deployment of hearsay as news, presented as the truth. The situation has taken a bizarre twist, with some journalists engaging in physical fights to defend their fake reports. Some lack honor, using the media as a weapon to fight proxy wars.
The leadership of the union at some levels, who should call them to order, are complicit, if not the ones fanning the embers of fake news and feigning ignorance. The Nigeria Press Council must clamp down on quacks and journalists who breach ethical conduct.
Anyone with a camera, phone, pen, or paper who goes to the Press Centre to drink beer now calls themselves a journalist. This is ludicrous and unacceptable. The Nigerian Union of Journalists is a respected organization and should not lower its standards to bring in charlatans whose only interest is to make money or get benefits that threaten the profession’s integrity.
The Press is the conscience of society, the fourth estate of the realm, and the only profession, aside from law and the judiciary, specifically mentioned in the Constitution. It should not be used to massage the egos of money bags or mistresses.
The National Leadership of the Union should rein in its State Chapters to maintain high ethical standards, as exemplified by Dele Giwa. I no longer believe anything I read in newspapers or social media without verifying it. Sometimes, when I read fake news about myself, I wonder if they are talking about me.
There are responsible journalists who keep to high ethical standards, but there are also “brown envelope journalists” who can sell their souls for as low as three or five thousand naira. Enough is enough! It is time for everyone to be accountable for what they write.
If they were arrested for cybercrimes or criminal defamation, they would cry wolf and talk about oppression. But they forget that they oppress people with their pens and reports. The funny aspect is that they believe they can do anything and get away with it.
Let it be clear: *journalists are not above the law.* Before you write anything, think of the implications, as anyone has the right to defend their name and reputation. Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah said, “Freedom of speech is not freedom to talk or write nonsense.” Idi Amin of Uganda said, “I can guarantee you freedom of speech, but what I cannot guarantee you is freedom after speech.”
There are consequences for our actions. You cannot destroy someone’s hard-earned reputation for money or personal gain and expect them to fold their arms and watch. There will be legal consequences.
Growing up, I read Dele Giwa, Pini Jason, Dele Sobowale, Yakubu Mohammed, Dan Agbese, Dare Babarinsa, Louis Odion, Nduka Irabor, Nduka Obaigbena, Sufeiyo Ojeifo, Odia Ofeimu, Kassim Afegbua, Bayo Onanuga, Reuben Abati, Olusegun Adeniyi, Dele Momodu, Chris Anyanwu, Adekunboh Eroh, and Josef Omorotionwan, all writing about cutting-edge issues with national and sub-national implications.
Where are those days? Today, some journalists have turned themselves into a consortium, giving false narratives of events or court cases. Journalism is not a tool for giving false reports but a vehicle to be the pulse of society.
The National Leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists needs to declare a state of emergency on journalism in Nigeria. Something is definitely wrong with the way fake news is churned out and sometimes endorsed or orchestrated by some union leaders at the local level. Babatunde Jose, Segun Osoba, and Dele Giwa must be cringing in their graves today.
•Douglas Ogbankwa Esq (@douglasogbankwa@gmail.com)
