Benue Killings: Presidency Attacks Nigerian Media, Lambasts Those 'Beating The Gongs Of War' - Uju Ayalogu's Blog for News, Reviews, Articles and More

Breaking News

Post Top Ad

Friday 2 February 2018

Benue Killings: Presidency Attacks Nigerian Media, Lambasts Those 'Beating The Gongs Of War'

Benue Killings: Presidency Attacks Nigerian Media, Lambasts Those 'Beating The Gongs Of War'

Buhari's SSA, Garba Shehu

The Nigerian Presidency has strongly condemned the promotion of hate speech by the media especially on the coverage of the Fulani herdsmen killings and crisis in Benue state.

READ ALSO :  Obasanjo Brought Shame To Nigeria - Falana

Speaking while briefing State House correspondents at the presidential villa on Friday, the presidential senior special adviser on media and publicity, strongly condemned what it calls "an upsurge in the promotion of hate speech by the media" especially as it relates to the farmers/herders crisis in Benue state.

According to PREMIUM Times, the presidential spokesman said the “growing lack of respect for journalism ethics and press laws in the Nigerian media, especially regarding the clashes in Benue State is very unfortunate”.

He said the frequent expressions of hate speech published by newspapers, in news stories and especially in columns have become a source of concern to all Nigerians.

“We want to state emphatically that a segment of the Nigerian media is sinking deeper and deeper into the mesh of hate speech in spite of repeated appeals by recognised and reputable media bodies, the Government and concerned Nigerians,” he said.

“Unfortunately, self-regulation which is the norm in civilised societies has taken flight from many of our newsrooms.

“For instance, a recent column published in a national newspaper (The Sun newspaper), said ‘‘President Muhammadu Buhari was the first to endorse the Benue massacre’’ on New Year Day. The same columnist described the Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali as ‘‘a dyed-in-the-wool Fulani irredentist who places trade over and above human life’’.

“The diatribe went further to invite citizens of the country to arm themselves and fight each other. In addition, one of the newspaper’s Saturday headlines proclaimed: ‘Expect More Blood in Benue…’,” he said.

Mallam Garba Shehu also said apart from the basic tone of respect expected from an individual who is “supposedly intelligent and educated enough to know better since they have been granted space to write in a national newspaper, there is the risk of inciting the public to actions that will have gory consequences for the entire nation for generations to come.”

READ ALSO :  FG To Engage Saudi Arabian Authorities Over Nigerians On Death Row

He also reminded those “beating the gongs of war and fanning the embers of discord” to remember what prevailed in Rwanda before the genocide of the early 90s, during which hundreds of thousands of lives were lost as a result of consistent hate speech spewing from that country’s media.

“We must learn to express our grievances and criticisms without resorting to gutter language or to name calling, and the press has a responsibility to maintain that even if it means calling their columnists to order,” he said.

He also said President Buhari, by the Constitution, has the primary duty of protecting life and property of all Nigerians, adding “and that is what he has been doing in Benue and across the country.”

“Calling him a murderer is not only grossly disrespectful but unfair, especially when the President has written a letter to the Senate detailing his efforts to quell the crisis in Benue State, including dispatching the Minister of Interior and the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations for an on the spot assessment of the situation in the aftermath of the unfortunate incident; and receiving a direct briefing from the IG the following day”.

Shehu appealed to the media to show more decorum and professionalism in the reportage of security and humanitarian situation in the country.

Are you an artiste? Do you want your music to go viral and reach a large number of audience? Promote your music and Submit your story  on Ujuayalogusblog.com by clicking here. For Advert Inquiries Tel/+44(0)7590363984 Subscribe to Ujuayalogusblog.com News!

For More:  Visit Us at Uju Ayalogu's Blog

Subscribe to Our Posts via Email


Share This

No comments:

Post a Comment

Listen to This Beautiful New Talent - Winter Wolf - Singing "Midnight"


Post Bottom Ad

Pages