Dogma as blackmail tool?
•NGE and NBC must partner on democratic best practices It’s firestorm predictable – the Nigeria Guild of Editors’ (NGE) huff at the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) latest reminder that broadcasters
•NGE and NBC must partner on democratic best practices
It’s firestorm predictable – the Nigeria Guild of Editors’ (NGE) huff at the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) latest reminder that broadcasters should stick to their obligations under the broadcast code.
In its riposte, the NGE insisted that democracy flowers on daring, fact-laced and responsible journalism that keeps the government – which is a people’s trust – on its toes, against timid journalism: the obvious preference of sitting governments, even since the colonial era.
The NGE warned the NBC against the broadcast regulator’s broad and vague threats, which not-so-untold story is to intimidate bold journalists, trigger self-censorship and stifle critical but legitimate voices, in the run-up to the 2027 elections.
Yet, it’s a season when every voice, conformist or contrarian, must be heard – loud and clear – so the voters can make informed choices. It was only a matter of time before the buzz word – a “press gag” – made its triumphal entry into the discourse!
The NGE suffers no fools gladly on press freedom. The Nigerian press pre-dated the Nigerian government by 101 years: the first newspaper was birthed in 1859. Nigeria gained independence in 1960.
For another, after battling the colonial government and the terrible years of the military, particularly the blood-foaming Sani Abacha years, the press wouldn’t let anyone infringe on its hard-earned freedom.
Besides, the Nigerian government has, since independence, subverted the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) from its original model of a public broadcaster after the BBC, to a government broadcaster: with state governments spewing similar tadpoles to maximise government policies and programmes – and even propaganda.
So, for democracy to flourish there must be pluralism in broadcast choices – a vacuum private broadcasting houses have filled – admirably in the view of not a few, though there appears no unanimity on that score.
Still, plurality is one thing. Best practices – to cut everyone, government or opposition, a fair deal – is another. Freedom is one thing. Taking liberty for a licence is another.
So, it is on the sacred concept of checks and balances that the NBC broadcast regulation-reminder stands on doughty pillars. If the NGE were to tone down its “press gag” hysteria, it would admit many of these stations have not exactly acquitted themselves well. Examples abound.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar went on Arise TV to make some controversial claims, with the partisans involved hitting back no less viciously. Yet, a top voice from that same station, a day or two later, mounted the bully pulpit, raining down verbal fire on Atiku, for claims the Waziri made on former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Was that bold? Yes. But was it conscientious, or even ethical? No! Does the code license any anchor to vent their spleen on anyone, with the attacked person not there to trade own tirade? This one was particularly reckless because that anchor was Jonathan’s presidential media adviser! That was a roaring abuse of the forum. But did anyone hear the NGE caution him?
Another anchor, of another TV, goes on probing: are you better off now than you were three years ago? That is a legitimate personal question. But as a TV anchor, who is asking: the reporter, as personal whim? His TV station, as official policy? A partisan, hiding behind a sacred trust?
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Can an anchor be all of this and never suffer serious ethical bruises as a professional -- worst practices that must be called out? Again, has NGE ever cautioned him?
Besides, many of the radios are nothing but yellow peril -- orbiting close to the tragic media over-reach that triggered the Rwandan genocide of 1994! Should any country, with Nigeria’s explosive history, not be wary of such media recklessness?
That is the legitimate spirit behind the NBC caution. The NGE, as other seasoned media lobbies, must know you must have a safe country first before you can practise your trade.
Besides, a media zesty to tell “truth to power” -- and rightly so -- should not be queasy when told its own bitter truths. Instead, it should make enlightened self-adjustment. Premium Times, the online paper, is no one’s poodle. Yet, hardly anyone has questioned its methods, as people have these wild broadcasters.
So, the NBC caution should be seen as democratic checks-and-balances, since no right is absolute. NBC should do its job. The media too should not flinch from its duties. Both should aim for best practices in a young but fledgling democracy.
