Journalism Is Not For Cowards -By Rees Chikwendu

Journalism is not for cowards but braves. You must have the courage to speak truth to power. You must speak for those who are politically oppressed and, if necessary, be a depository of the dead by speaking for them. Journalism should be part of the conscience of a nation or state.

I listen to Nigerian journalists like Reuben Abati, and I see con men, political rabble-rousers, ethnic and religious bigots, hungry and ass-kissing brown-envelope journalists.

I have noticed how the Nigerian media is framing the case against Nnamdi Kanu, and I see a deliberate attempt to muddle the truth and mislead their audience. For example, on 12th September 2017, the Nigerian military attempted to assassinate Mr. Kanu at his residence, but he escaped, and 28 people were killed at his home on that day. The media in Nigeria have continued to frame it as if he jumped bail and refused to emphasize the assassination attempt made on his life leading to his disappearance. He was prepared to appear in court, but the government and its military did not want that to happen.

Reuben Abati

Another example is the emphasis that he has dual citizenship. I find that misleading. Nnamdi Kanu had renounced his Nigerian citizenship long ago, and that is public knowledge. Why can’t they make a simple investigation? Can you force citizenship on someone who has rejected it?

The media in Nigeria still has a long way to go before anyone can take them seriously. They are mostly garbage media outlets.