As the nation's democratic space keeps widening, many lexicons are bound to filter in. Such new lexicon is 'journalistic militantism' recently coined by German-based Nigerian, Frisky Larr, to describe the emotive personality attacks on former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and abandoned professionalism in assessing his 8-year ruleIN his book, Nigeria's Journalistic Militantism, Larr sets out to scold his colleagues in the Nigerian media in what he regards as irresponsible journalism when journalists leave the real policy issues at stake and resort to personality attacks on leaders. This is moreso when such journalists fail to see anything good in such leaders because of perceived notions already held about them.And borrowing from the 'militants' term that has come into popular imagination (Niger Delta, Bokom Haram, etc), Larr affirms in his book that just as militants in all forms current operating in the country do not augur well for the nation, so also does a militant approach to journalism is in bad taste. The media, he stated, should be an agenda-setting machinery of state and not be held hostage to any form of political leaning or interests as a section of the media's composition currently suggests.These views were made known last week at the launch of the book, Nigeria's Journalistic Militantism, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos. Book reviewer and top media man, Dare Babarinsa, described the book's lengthy rider, Putting the Facts in Perspective on how the Press failed Nigeria, Setting the Wrong Agenda and Excessively Attacking Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo as being militant in itself!In his review, Babarinsa stated that the 'book is part memoir and part academic dissertation', noting that the author suggests that Nigeria print media's landscape 'changed during the Second Republic, epitomised by the bitter struggle between The Nigerian Tribune owned by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the National Concord, owned by Chief Moshood Abiola.'It is in examining this tedious relationship between the two media institutions that Larr makes some of his disputatious assertions, when he states, 'Suddenly, The Nigerian Tribune became a propaganda machine almost exclusively to the advancement of Awolowo's political ambition. It was indeed the foundation of the evil that was to plague Nigeria's media landscape several years to come. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, an active politician seeking office was openly using a news organ as an instrument of choice'.'Larr's assertion is that since then, Nigeria print media has become hostage to political interest. He states that though the press plays a pivotal role in the battle against military dictatorship, most of its leading members succumb to the sugar-coated blandishment of politicians once military rule became history. To him, this became moreso after Obasanjo voluntarily retired from office and handed over power to an elected successor, President Umar Musa Ya'Adua.'He accuses the print media in Nigeria of constituting a lynch-mob to attack Obasanjo after his retirement' Larr states that Obasanjo earned the anger of the militant press because of his perceived ambition for a third term in office and also because of his imperial domination of the office of President. To them, all his achievements pale into insignificance'.Babarinsa concluded by saying that Larr's book, Nigeria's Journalistic Militantism is a 'highly opinionated work. He reached the conclusion that the Nigerian media had become hostage to private interest, private values, private ambitions and private monies''Despite his harsh words for journalists and his bitter admonitions, Larr has done a good service to the Nigerian press by asking journalists that instead of removing the specks in another person's eyes, they should not ignore the log in their own eyes; they should apply their own medicine to themselves; let them also turn the searchlight of criticism on the houses of media'.In his remarks, chief host of the event and Acting Director-General of the institute, Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, said he welcomed the idea of such a book in contributing to the pool of intellectuality as NIIA was noted for. He also noted that the book's focus was in keeping with the aspirations of the institute on reflection and deep thinking.Akinterinwa acknowledged that the job of the journalist was a tough one with very little love shown him, especially as he discharged his role as watchdog of a society such as Nigeria. He, therefore, noted that in the daily menu of the average Nigerian, militantism existed already whether in the Niger Delta or Boko Haram. He stated that the factor of human differences that fosters different perspectives from which people view things would continue to play a role, especially in the media with so many of them advancing different interests.He commended Larr in taking time to examine the behaviours and attitudes of writing that has become associated with the Nigerian media. He also praised him for adding value to existing pool of knowledge, noting, 'We must learn to contribute to knowledge, learn to look at things differently, originally from other people's way. This book is a special reflection on journalism, journalists and writing. We must try to learn new things to see how we can further contribute to the debate.'The book is no more than a hypothesis in the social science framework. As a columnist who holds a view, he has moved from being a journalist, who writes history in a hurry, different from an academic, who justifies by making references. Larr is an academic journalist'.Chairman of the launch and Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Alhaji Yusuf Nuhu, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Osaze Iyamu, noted that there were many lessons to be learnt from the book by journalists, who must show professionalism in all they do to set the right agenda for the populace.Chief launcher, Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim, who was represented by Managing Director, National Mirror, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the subject of Larr's book, Obasanjo, would remain an enigma. But he expressed the hope that since Obasanjo now writes for his newspaper, he has thus subjected himself to the journalistic radar and scrutiny and would perhaps be better understood, retrospectively, especially in the area of the policies he took while in office.Provost, Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Dr. Lizzy Ikem, noted that Larr's book was a refreshing dimension to the study and practice of journalism that would provide a comparative and personal analysis of journalism and leaders. She argued that the role of journalists was not just reporting but looking at the future and what it held for the country.A media practitioner, Mr. Tony Abolo, also remarked that Nigeria's journalism tended to fall back on ethnic and other narrow prisms, and stated that it was time the media moved to its agenda-setting role. He charged the media to clean its eyes and so be able to look professionally and dispassionately at issues and policies so as to do the right things, saying leaders were not just to be dismissed because of personal prejudices journalists held about them.
Click here to read full news..
