The Nigerian press has failed the Nigerian People. Rather than be a voice for the people, they are now a voice for the corrupt politicians.

Most corrupt politicians are majority stakeholders in the media houses and the press reports are becoming biased, incorrect and misleading. The Press are attacking the establishments set up to protect public funds such as EFCC. Hence, the public are no longer victims, rather the politicians are now victims of the public.

As far as the Nigerian Press is concerned, Money Talks and that is what drives their News reports. Read the breaking news today, you will be shocked. The Nigerian press are glorifying Atiku for going abroad to treat his Knee injury and they even wish him a speedy recovery.

His party AC may have already sent him a GET WELL SOON greeting card or flower. And, of course will rally the public to welcome him back at the Airport. Even OBJ gave him the Presidential jet to fly him abroad. Poor old man, he does not want to be seen as wicked. What else can he do, if the press reports will portray him as being kind to Yar'Adua and wicked to Atiku.

I am waiting to see if any journalist or media house will be bold enough to attack Atiku on this senseless trip. I am happy NairaLand members are voicing their anger and making the message clear.

Thanks to ABBA KYARI (New Age) for the article "Corruption wrenches Nigeria's soul"
http://www.newage-online.com/leaders/article01

We need more truthful articles by fearless and bold journalists like this.

If you're a journalist here. you're probably in a low or high position.

I'm bold to say, shame to you, your bosses and your news media for dancing the tune of corrupt politicians and failing to be a voice for the public.

[size=18pt] Shame!!! [/size]

Quite correct.

shutmouth,
Why not call yourself openmouth?
Because, your mouth has not been shut since you joined Nairaland.

The corrupt political moneybags control 70% of the mainstream media in Nigeria.

The corrupt political moneybags control 70% of the mainstream media in Nigeria.

70% stakeholding is outrageous. WOW!!!

Then, there lies our woes!!! Corruption and fraud is bound to be buried under such business canopies for years to come as the press will always be reluctant to investigate and expose their masters.

YOU have not done better in this forum than the journalist you tongue lashing, what do want from them, tailor made NEWS that fits your suiting? Being a journalist is hard enough in Nigeria where the daily hazard of practicing their job involve being confronted by area boys, political thugs, politicians not too happy with what was said about them, now they have citizen shutmouth to deal with. NA waa o for people

IF YOU HAVE THE MEANS START YOUR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD PAPER, the government issues licensing for it or you could apply for regional radio license too

Na lie oh, Politicians control the media the people with the big pocket control the media I support my friend shame on Nigeria press men. well to think of it its every where you go. lol

tell us something new

Hi. I think it rather unfair to assume that all the press Houses in the country is corrupt. The major function of the press anywhere is to ensure that you get informed on what's going on while its left for you to judge, its wot is called agende-setting.

While it is true that some reports might seem biased, it is also left to you (reader or listener) to take what you need and discard what you dont need.

I frankly dont know about politicians owning majority shares in any media house, cos if u consider that and what is currently obtainable in the industry, you'l understand that the media houses are struggling to survive.

The major press house's stand is usual read or seen in the editorials of such dailies while the others are mere reports of what is going on. On your reference to New Age newspaper, the view is you quoted is an opinion of one man, mayb many others and everyone certainly has a right to their views or opinion.

And if we talk about the Electronic media, we cld say the NTA is biased, based on the fact thta it is govt. owned and controlled and a mere propagada for govt. policies. However, some of the other TV stations in the country have for a long time ensure balanced reporting of happening in the country.

So, like i said, the media sets the agenda and allows the reader or listener or viewer make-up his or her mind concerning issues raised. And i stress that the press is meant to inform, educate and entertain the public, which is exactly what is happening in the country. It might not be the way you expect, but it what it is.

Besides, i dont think any media house 'glorified' either yar'dua or atiku for going aboard for treatment, they only reported the incident. If you realy want to know what the pple think, then you would do good to listen to some TV programmes, for instance, Sunrise on Channelstv. There is a big difference between News reports and Feature Stories.

Orikinla:


The corrupt political moneybags control 70% of the mainstream media in Nigeria.

Pls where did u get that figure from or where you just free-styling?!

It's not the fault of the Press. Many times they are bullied by those in power. Look at what happened to Godwin Agbroko. I still don't know what to make of it.

Tobiegal:

Please where did u get that figure from or where you just free-styling?!

Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).

Minaj, Channels, AIT, and others are also controlled by the paymasters.

Tobiegal:

Please where did u get that figure from or where you just free-styling?!

Ribadu put it at a figure of at least 60% on friday. Could he be free styling as well??

Just to buttress your point, below is the headline of today's Vanguard online written by one Emmanuel Aziken

"Atiku undergoes 1½ hour surgery • Expected back Thursday"

That is the bigger news as far as the Vanguard people are concerned. Not the killings in Ogun and Sokoto states; not the policemen killed on a boat by the militants in ND. Not even to question why Atiku had to jet abroad for ankle injury while we have so many teaching hospitals around. Can you imagine how happy those goons at Vanguard will be on Thursday when their lord is finally back in the country?

It's not the fault of the Press. Many times they are bullied by those in power. Look at what happened to Godwin Agbroko. I still don't know what to make of it.

If they are bullied, then why not uncover who is bullying them? What better way to help sanitize the polity but to uncover the bad leaders for what they are?

A BBC REPORT ON ATIKU'S TRIP

Nigerian VP falls off treadmill

Atiku Abubakar has stopped running - temporarily
Nigeria's vice-president, a leading contender in April's presidential polls, has interrupted his campaign to go to London after damaging his knee.
Atiku Abubakar fell off his running machine and was then flown to the UK on Sunday, says his spokesman Garba Shehu.

"It was not a very serious injury, so he is expected back within days," Mr Shehu told the BBC News website.

On Sunday, ruling party candidate Umaru Yar'Adua returned to Nigeria from an emergency overseas health visit.

Mr Shehu says Mr Abubakar is being treated at the London Bridge Hospital for a torn tendon.

Mr Abubakar, a former ally of President Olusegun Obasanjo fell out with the president after he publicly opposed moves to change the country's constitution to give the president a third term.

Mr Obasanjo's political loyalists then forced Mr Abubakar out of the People's Democratic Party and he joined the opposition Action Congress on whose platform he is running for president.

Mr Abubakar's ill-health prompted President Olusegun Obasanjo to forget his public spat with his deputy - as he allowed him use of a presidential jet for the London trip.

Dissatisfaction

The PDP presidential campaign was thrown into confusion last week when Mr Yar'Adua collapsed and was flown to a German hospital for medical tests.


Despite a fallout, President Obasanjo lent him his presidential jet

The 55-year-old former chemistry teacher is the frontrunner to win the election and has previously suffered from a kidney illness.

His collapse prompted speculation that he could be replaced as the PDP's candidate. The polls should become the first transfer of power in Africa's most populous country from one elected leader to another since independence in 1960.

Despite being Africa's largest exporter of oil, Nigeria remains poor with over 70% of its population living on less than $1 a day.

Corruption and mismanagement have hobbled Africa's most populous nation where most basic services, including decent health care are absent.

Although rich Nigerians routinely travel overseas for even the most basic heath issues, some Nigerians are saying the ruling party in government has failed to develop health care in the country and should be voted out of power next April.

"Look, I am an ordinary man, but I have a vote," says Tunde Akunbi, an Abuja taxi driver.

"If Yar'Adua and Atiku are going abroad for mere medical check-ups and minor knee injuries, what does that say to President Obasanjo? It says, his government has failed in health care. I can't vote PDP."

A VANGUARD REPORT ON THE SAME ISSUE

ABUJA — VICE PRESIDENT Atiku Abubakar was scheduled, last night, to undergo a one-and-half-hour surgery to re-attach a torn ligament on his knee at the London Bridge Hospital in the United Kingdom. He was to be wheeled into the theatre at 9 p.m.

His Media Consultant, Mallam Garba Shehu, said he would rest for another 24 hours after the surgery before returning to the country on Thursday to resume his campaigns

At his bedside in the hospital yesterday, was his wife, Jemilia.
“The Vice President is in good condition and he is optimistically looking forward to the surgery and his early return to Nigeria,” Mallam Shehu said yesterday.
The Vice President suffered a torn ligament on his knee during a routine exercise in his official residence on Sunday and was flown to the United Kingdom same night aboard a presidential jet following the intervention of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

President Obasanjo following a briefing from the Chief of Staff, Gen. Abdullahi Mohammed (rtd.), on the Vice President’s situation initiated contact with the Vice President on phone for the first time this year and offered him his good wishes and the use of a presidential jet to convey him to the London hospital.

Offer of presidential jet no big deal — AC
Meanwhile, the Action Congress (AC) said, yesterday, the presidency’s offer of a presidential jet to fly Vice President Atiku Abubakar to London for the treatment of his torn knee ligament and government’s offer to foot the bill for the treatment was not a big deal but part of his rights as a sitting Vice President.In a statement in Abuja, National Publicity Secretary of the AC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said theVP — whose entitlements have yet to be fully restored in line with the ruling of the Court of Appeal — accepted the offer in the spirit of politics without bitterness, in which he strongly believes.

AC said the VP would not have travelled out for such a minor surgery in the first instance, if the Aso Rock Clinic had the equipment to repair the torn ligament on his knee. The party expressed the hope that the presidency would now restore all the entitlements of the VicePresident, including the full compliment of his official cars and security personnel. "We will like to reiterate that we expect our presidential candidate back in the country by Thursday, after the minor surgery, to resume his campaign,” AC said.

Atiku’s running mate, associates on Obasanjo's gesture
Also yesterday, Alhaji Abubakar’s running mate, Senator Ben Obi, said the offer from President Obasanjo of a presidential jet to fly the VP for treatment abroad was not something out of the ordinary.

However, other associates of the AC presidential candidate including former presidential adviser, Mrs. Titi Ajanaku, and the party’s deputy governorship candidate in Delta State, Chief Charles Obule, welcomed the fresh breadth in the otherwise acrimonious relationship between the President and his deputy.

Mrs. Ajanaku, a former adviser to President Obasanjo but now a member of the Atiku Abubakar campaign told Vanguard on telephone yesterday that her next desire was for God to break the ice so that the two men could work in harmony for the good of the nation as they swore on assumption of office.

Speaking, Senator Obi said: “That he has not been allowed to use the tools of work that he is entitled to does not remove the fact that he is the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as recognised by the Constitution.

“In all aspects known to the law, he remains the Vice President. So it is not a gesture. I don’t see it as a gesture. It is in recognition of his office and what is on ground is purely political. It is a question of one not agreeing with the position of the other.

“You would notice that ever since he has been going on campaigns, the Vice President has not complained about the non-availability of his plane, but the PDP has been using the presidential jet.

“That they now belong to different camps does not mean that there should not be a respect of the Constitution and the respect of the Constitution is that there is a President and that there is a Vice President, it is not a question of appointment,” he said.

MY DISAPPOINTMENT!!

I am writing in response to the mail sent in today by one Ben Umadi condemning an earlier one sent in by one Niyi Afolabi. I must register my displeasure with Daar Communication on your report ire of political events in this country. Your support for AC and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubarkar is so clear that some of us have lost hope in the Corporation.
Some of us that have penchant for a corrupt-free society are dismayed and disgusted by your stand on our political issues, especially as related to Atiku and the PTDF scandal.
Atiku is every evil that has name on it. Deceitful, dangerous, treacherous and evil. He is so evil that he is always looking for loopholes in having his ways. The critical issues he is linking the committee's report to is one of his ways of evading the true matter. Whereas the critical issue is that he actually diverted the funds even though approval of FEC is not needed, he used those loopholes to divert PTDF fund.
For God sake, we don't need any more proof. EFCC indicted him; Administrative Panel did the same thing, and now Senate Committee. Were all these people working for OBJ again? I am sick and tired of linking every adverse matter against Atiku to 3rd term, which is buried by the Senate long time ago. Indeed there are other corrupt activities of Atiku, which the Presidency and the masses know, but the presidency decided to take on this because there is enough proof. Even though I am not close to Aso Rock, have you not heard of Atiku's corrupt practices during the COJA 2003 games? And yet, this's the man Daar Communication has been drumming for. The argument now is that a competent court of jurisdiction has nullified all the indictments, and so Atiku must contest the Presidential election. One question I would want to ask you is that; If a court rules today that Asari Dokubo should be released from prison, is it safe and reasonable to obey such a court order?
The truth of the matter is, three bodies have indicted Atiku, and we should consider that as enough proof of his corrupt practices. Any contrary to this indictment is a diversionary tactics. Let us call a spade a spade.
Daar Communication is only out to mislead, misinform the masses and to enthrone a corrupt - minded person so that the country can go back to the dark old days, all in the name of fighting for the 'poor masses'. In collaboration with Atiku, you have come out to tell the world that the OBJ's reforms, which have received both national and international acceptance, are anti-people without human face. Thank God, majority of us know the truth.




Just this morning, I wrote the above letter with a heavy heart to Daar Communication, owner of AIT and Raypower expressing my heart-felt disappontment over their reportire of Nigeria's political issues. These people who are suppose to tell us the truth, unfortunately, have become a tool in the hands of corrupt politicians to misinform and mislead us. And most unfortunately, they are bent on enthroning corrupt personalities. Our journalists are a shame to our nation. They contribute ABSOLUTE NOTHING to the development of this country, rather they are on the path of nation destroying.
Thank God, some of us already know the truth.

Johnny:

MY DISAPPOINTMENT!!

I am writing in response to the mail sent in today by one Ben Umadi condemning an earlier one sent in by one Niyi Afolabi. I must register my displeasure with Daar Communication on your report ire of political events in this country. Your support for AC and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubarkar is so clear that some of us have lost hope in the Corporation.
Some of us that have penchant for a corrupt-free society are dismayed and disgusted by your stand on our political issues, especially as related to Atiku and the PTDF scandal.
Atiku is every evil that has name on it. Deceitful, dangerous, treacherous and evil. He is so evil that he is always looking for loopholes in having his ways. The critical issues he is linking the committee's report to is one of his ways of evading the true matter. Whereas the critical issue is that he actually diverted the funds even though approval of FEC is not needed, he used those loopholes to divert PTDF fund.
For God sake, we don't need any more proof. EFCC indicted him; Administrative Panel did the same thing, and now Senate Committee. Were all these people working for OBJ again? I am sick and tired of linking every adverse matter against Atiku to 3rd term, which is buried by the Senate long time ago. Indeed there are other corrupt activities of Atiku, which the Presidency and the masses know, but the presidency decided to take on this because there is enough proof. Even though I am not close to Aso Rock, have you not heard of Atiku's corrupt practices during the COJA 2003 games? And yet, this's the man Daar Communication has been drumming for. The argument now is that a competent court of jurisdiction has nullified all the indictments, and so Atiku must contest the Presidential election. One question I would want to ask you is that; If a court rules today that Asari Dokubo should be released from prison, is it safe and reasonable to obey such a court order?
The truth of the matter is, three bodies have indicted Atiku, and we should consider that as enough proof of his corrupt practices. Any contrary to this indictment is a diversionary tactics. Let us call a spade a spade.
Daar Communication is only out to mislead, misinform the masses and to enthrone a corrupt - minded person so that the country can go back to the dark old days, all in the name of fighting for the 'poor masses'. In collaboration with Atiku, you have come out to tell the world that the OBJ's reforms, which have received both national and international acceptance, are anti-people without human face. Thank God, majority of us know the truth.




Just this morning, I wrote the above letter with a heavy heart to Daar Communication, owner of AIT and Raypower expressing my heart-felt disappontment over their reportire of Nigeria's political issues. These people who are suppose to tell us the truth, unfortunately, have become a tool in the hands of corrupt politicians to misinform and mislead us. And most unfortunately, they are bent on enthroning corrupt personalities. Our journalists are a shame to our nation. They contribute ABSOLUTE NOTHING to the development of this country, rather they are on the path of nation destroying.
Thank God, some of us already know the truth.

Our journalists have to be employed to survive, marry and raise their own families.
Only few journalists are employed in banks, oil companies and other well paying companies. So, majority flock to the newspapers and TV stations and only the major print and electronic media can afford to pay regular salaries.

I knew poor journalists who died of poverty when the Daily Times was in distress.

I worked as the PA for a publisher who was the Director of Publicity for Alhaji Bamanga Tukur Campaign office and Dr. Raymond Dokpesi was the Director of Security and that was when I knew how Nigeria is actually controlled by a club and their motto is:
You offend one, you offend all.

Till date the killers of Dele Giwa have not been identified and they are still in power and in the evil genius is still in the PDP.
When are we going to put him on trial?
The evil genius has a case.
And he is actually the sponsor of a major media in Nigeria.

[size=24pt]OUR MEDIA HOUSES ARE CLEARLY PROMOTING CORRUPTION[/size]

solution? what do we do?

At least it is encouraging to see we all agree that we have a wayward press.

When we have corrupt system and culture, what do you expect, folks?

Leaders or politicians are not the only problems we have in Nigeria; our culture needs major modification.

toshmann:
solution? what do we do?

I remember when PDP was president na electric pole we dey celebrate as constitution projets

Shoe shining box as empowerment