MORE KUDOS THAN KNOCKS FOR THE NIGERIA MEDIA

Dear Sir,

MORE KUDOS THAN KNOCKS FOR THE NIGERIA MEDIA

It is good to give credit when, to whom and where it is due. The electronic, print and online media contributed their best during the just concluded Nigeria elections. One thing I noticed was that some serious Nigeria media did not bother whose ox was gored; they tried (in) giving the public the realities, except instances where reports were tilted to favour the ownership structure of the medium and also in some cases where ‘mercenary” journalists attempt justifying the pay received from some desperaste, hard politicians.

I am a news addict and I do get supplied and read almost all the national newspapers in Nigeria, namely: The Punch, Vanguard, The Nation, The Guardian, Daily Trust, This Day, National Life, Nigerian Compass, Daily Independent, Leadership, Daily Sun, News Star, Fresh Facts, The Moment, etc. This is apart from the online publications that continued propagating accurate happenings in Nigeria. It has been my habit that as early as 3a.m (on daily basis), I am on my laptop, browsing most of the popular online publications, namely: www.saharareporters.com, www.thewillnigeria.com, www.africanexaminer.com, www.pointblanknews.com, www.africansearchlight.com, www.xclusivenigeria.com, www.huhuonline.com, www.ireports-ng.com, www.newsdiaryonline.com and www.ukpakareports.com, to pick pieces of the latest news before my early morning print media supplies arrive.

One thing I discovered is that it remains impossible for one to watch two TV news (or if you like, two stations) at the same time, but easier for me to respectively read the newspapers and browse through the online publications because of their nature. While the print media remain the preferred reliable, time-tested reference because they outlive the others, I listen to the Radio only when I am in my car and I gues most people wont as well.  

My reason for writing this piece is to encourage all the media to continue in factual reporting without waiting for brown envelopes as some reporters and even editors still do till today. Some journalists remain in the pay list of some politicians and one sees this as inappropriate and deprives their employers of revenues, somehow, which is capable of running down the establishment. Editors should try and identify such journalists and make them have a rethink.

The media should not forget that they are looked upon as the last hope for the masses therefore it would be painful to those masses discovering any medium carry biased, unbalanced report. When a story is balanced and undiluted, it gives credibility to the medium; this is a fact the media should not ignore.

Chief Cosmos Erhabor, Mississippi Road, Maitama, Abuja. erhaborc@yahoo.com.