Politicians have most of the time projected themselves through television and newspapers to the general public. True, it is a function of the media to project such interest to the public. Journalists can upgrade one’s political dignity and emerge and vice versa. Many world leaders have been victims of junk journalism who dig-deep into their secret in order to destroy their political career.
Recently, Mr. Boris Johnson, erstwhile British prime minister, was forced to resign abruptly by powerful contributions of the press. Sri Lanka’s prime minister was also forced to resign when the press played its constitutional role by alerting the existence of economic hardships facing the Asian country. Well, one can name many other incidents around the world where such cases were perfected by the powerful arm of the press. However, in Nigeria, I cannot recall any government whether military or civil which surrendered their seats due to insistence of the press.
The only government that frankly did that was that of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) because of the June 12 saga! The Lagos and Ibadan axis of the press were those that worked for June 12 saga and perhaps they achieved what they intended. Late Chief Ernest Shonekan was there as a protem leader; Babangida did that to contain the palaver of June 12, but the problem did not stop until when the military returned and this time it was the government of a great soldier of our time Late General Sani Abacha. Well, we all know what happened afterwards.
Back to the case of Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso. That interview seemed to be a personal vendetta in order to disgrace the person of our great politician, Engr. Kwankwaso. The presenter instead of doing the needful concerning Kwankwaso’s profile and what have you, had gone out of point touching the reputation of even his parents, which to us was unnecessary.
The presenter should know that his own culture in disrespecting his parents is not the same with that Kwankwaso. Kwankwaso, even for nothing, has held political offices for which he should be respected by all and sundry. We therefore advise those conducting interviews at Channels Television to be guided by the professional ethics of journalism.
I believe that even those opposed to Kwankwaso’s political ideology were not happy with that scornful interview by the presenter from whatever tribe. The fake people who seemed to follow Kwankwasiyya just kept mute as if they did not watch that interview. Really, Channels Television should please show no tribal difference when presenting interviews. The Kwankwasiyya boss should know that going to Channels Television or whatever of the South would only damage his image. Kano, Kaduna, and Abuja media are also convenient in projecting your political aspirations.
Comrade Ibrahim Abdu Zango,
Chairman, Kano Unity Forum,
Kano, Nigeria
08175472298
