So, it turns out there were no layoffs in Zenith Bank afterall and some people have been conned by an online publisher. I have spoken to people who work in the bank and confirmed that indeed there was nothing like that. I have also confirmed that the story cited by www.trentonline.com was published by Premium Times in 2012. This whole episode is another clear example of all that is bad with the media: First, it reminds of the ills of social media, rushing to share and retweet content that is false or unverified and making it look credible. And then, the whole issue of the credibility of so-called online publishers. So, www.trentonline.com goes ahead to copy and paste a 2012 story published by one online publisher and claims that it happened last Friday. Lesson: Be careful what you believe on social media, don't allow yourself to be fooled by half-baked journalists like the folks at www.trentonline.com

THERE IS TROUBLE BREWING IN THE NATION, THE NEWSPAPER OWNED BY ACN LEADER, ASIWAJU BOLA TINUBU. AND THIS IS BECAUSE OF TWO PETITIONS AGAINST THE PAPER'S BUSINESS EDITOR, AYO AMINU. THE PETITIONERS MADE WIGHTY ALLEGATIONS AGAINST AMINU, MOST OF WHICH BORDERED ON CORRUPTLY ENRICHING HIMSELF BY USING HIS POSITION AT THE NEWSPAPER. HIS MODE OF OPERATION, IT IS ALLEGED, IS TO PREVENT JOURNALISTS ON THE BUSINESS DESK FROM WRITING NEGATIVE STORIES AGAINST COMPANIES FOR WHICH HE HANDLES PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANCY. HAVING BEEN EMBARRASSED BY THE MANNER IN WHICH THE PETITIONS MADE THEIR WAY TO THE BOARD, MANAGEMENT OF THE PAPER, WHICH WAS RELUCTANT TO ACT AGAINST AMINU WERE FORCED INTO ACTION TO SET UP A PANEL. THE PANEL SUBMITTED ITS REPORT ON MONDAY AND THE RESULT OF THE INVESTIGATION IS AWAITED. AMINU AND HIS BOSSES ARE BELIEVED NOW TO BE RUNNING AROUND TO DOUSE THE FLAMES GENERATED BY THE PETITION, WHICH INSIDERS SAY HAS SHOCKED THE OWNERS OF THE PAPER AND MAY FORCE THEM TO ANNOUNCE A MAJOR SHAKE UP. A VISIT TO THE PAPER ON TUESDAY SHOWED THERE WAS A VISIBLE TENSION IN THE AIR.

We thought the politicians were all the problem but now we're seeing different things. One major problem is the media and the increasing cases of corrupt acts involving journalists. This is serious indeed as it endangers our democracy. Everyday, you hear of journalists living the large life, well beyond their means. Many of them are on the payroll of companies or politicians who dictate which story should be published. Sad, that many media houses do not pay as at when due, thereby exposing their staff to temptation. The worrying thing is that a rotten media cannot hold rotten politicians to account. Something must surely give.

On Point. Corruption is becoming a major issue in the profession and the NUJ needs to do more to save the media.

LOOKS LIKE IT. THESE GUYS ARE CLEVER AND WILL GET THE GULLIBLE. THE FACT YOU DON'T HAVE AN ACCOUNT WITH THIS BAN SHOULD WARN YOU THAT THEY'RE CASTING FOR WILLING PEOPLE TO SCAM. I HAVE OFTEN RECEIVED SIMILAR MAILS FROM BANKS LIKE THIS AND WHAT I DO IS JUST DELETE THEM. MY ADVISE: DELETE. LAST WORD: BANKS SPEND A LOT ON CAMPAIGNS WARNING PEOPLE NEVER TO DISCLOSE THINGS LIKE PASSWORD IN THIS WAY.