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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Steve Osuji: What Stinks is Hate-driven Journalism, Not Tinubu’s Aso Rock

From ThisDay · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Sources not specified Context piece
  • A reader criticizes Steve Osuji's article "Tinubu's Aso Rock Stinks," accusing it of hate-driven propaganda and a lack of new information.
  • The critique argues that Osuji's piece relies on unproven allegations and fails to adhere to journalistic ethics by not presenting balanced or fair information.
  • The author emphasizes that Nigerian law presumes innocence until guilt is proven, urging writers to provide facts rather than inciting sentiment against accused leaders.

A reader has sharply criticized journalist Steve Osuji's recent article, "Tinubu's Aso Rock Stinks," labeling it an "ignoble depth" in Nigerian journalism. The critique, penned by Davidson Okonkwo, argues that Osuji's piece, despite the author's experience, fails to provide balanced or fair information. Instead, it is accused of serving readers with "half truths" disguised in fancy language, driven by "hate-driven propaganda."

Mr. Steve Osuji’s latest Expresso, entitled: “Tinubu’s Aso Rock Stinks,” is another infamous entry that painfully showcases the ignoble depth journalism practice has fallen in Nigeria.

— Davidson OkonkwoThe reader's opening statement criticizing Steve Osuji's article.

Okonkwo contends that Osuji's article offers no new information, merely repeating what is already publicly known. The piece is described as an attempt to call government officials names without acknowledging that none have been tried or convicted of alleged crimes. The author highlights the specific case of Prince Adeyemi Aderemi Matthew, who reportedly accused the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of accepting a bribe related to a fake federal agency.

Osuji would not observe this simple journalism practice ethics but would rather serve his helpless readers and unsuspecting public with half truths clothed in considered fancy phrases in a desperate bid to add flesh to his hate-driven propaganda.

— Davidson OkonkwoThe reader's accusation regarding Osuji's journalistic approach.

The critique stresses that seasoned writers should provide facts or fresh information to help readers discern the truth, rather than whipping up "unnecessary sentiments." It points to Section 36(5) of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution, which presumes innocence until proven guilty. Okonkwo urges Osuji and his "patrons" to recognize that individuals like Gbajabiamila should be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, suggesting Osuji's current brand of journalism is mere "hate."

From the beginning of the opinion piece to the end, Osuji failed to offer any piece of information that is not already in the public knowledge.

— Davidson OkonkwoThe reader's claim about the lack of new information in Osuji's article.
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Originally published by ThisDay. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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