The first law
of public/media relation is good relationship. Though they were not made to be
outright and eternal foes, history shows that whenever the Press romances the
government, it's always most likely a marriage of convenience. Hence, a government
that is really serious about having a good image, seize such rare opportunity
to build a good and lasting relationship with the Press. This was the simple
secrete behind the good rapport between the Victor Attah-led administration and
the local Press as it were and his predecessor, Godswill Akpabio rode briefly
on the back of that goodwill.
As a member of the state executive council, Godswill Akpabio probably was the most media friendly commissioner. He had a personal relationship with many publishers and journalists and that probably explained why he had an overwhelming support of the local Press ahead of the 2007 governorship election. Besides riding on the goodwill of Attah's administration, Akpabio, in his early days as a governor, sustained the good relationship with the media. The romance was quite a rollercoaster until he decided to entrust it in the hands of opportunists and mediocre. For the benefit of all the JJCs, the very Godswill Obot Akpabio that is so much 'despised' by the local Press today was once a toast of the media.
I bet, in 2007, not even a soothsayer would have predicted that there will be such a fierce rivalry between Godswill Akpabio and the local Press by 2015. It was love made in heaven. But that is the thing about marriage of convenience; it's like a time bomb, no matter how long it takes, it will eventually explode. The breaking news is, the explosion caused by Akpabio's warship is now wrecking Udom Emmanuel's boat. If it isn't the sin of the father visiting the child, I wonder what it is. However, the face-off so far and all the things we see, hear or read are mere signs of war, the real war is yet to come.
Let's talk war. As noted by Winston Churchill, 'war is mainly a catalogue of blunders' and frankly speaking, we are where we are today because of blunders. From Aniekan Umanah's reappointment as Information Commissioner, Governor Udom's failure to meet the Press after more than 100days in office, Ekerette Udoh's American dream, alienation of the local Press, Senator Anietie Okon's assault on a newspaper vendor to the incessant intimidation and arrest of publishers and journalists, it has been blunders after blunders; setting the perfect tone for war. No two wrongs can make a right.
As a daily visitor to the newsstands, I can confidently say that the camp of the local Press is swelling by the day. Besides the number of anti-government newspapers increasing daily, the people on their part are taking sides. It seems nothing brightens their day more than reading negative stories about the government every morning at the newsstands. It was recently alleged that the state government had banned newspaper vendors from selling around the popular Ibom Plaza. According to the report, the reason for the ban was because members of the Free Readers Association, Ibom Plaza District, were fond of chanting 'APC! Change' whenever the state governor passed. I understand the ban was later lifted.
That scenario clearly shows whose side the people are. While the government is busy committing blunders after blunders, the Press is strategically building strong ties. The government has the war chest but the Press has a war plan. Regardless of what people think, the current rivalry in the state is not between Udom/PDP and Umana/APC but between the government and the Press - every other party is an alias.
According to the state commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, journalists in the state are blackmailers and agents of falsehood while the over 100 local tabloids in the state are nothing but rag sheets. Honestly, I can understand his frustration. The man is sitting on a keg of gun powder. Everybody knows that taking the Ukana powers out of the equation, Mr. Umanah will definitely not be the Information commissioner. Clearly, he has failed in his job. It appears the government finds it more convenient to the wrong things. A truce is never out of reach except when your foremen are renowned trucebrakers. The point is, the state government CANNOT strike any deal with the local Press as long as Aniekan Umanah remains the state commissioner for Information.
The law is clear on Press Freedom and it is non-negotiable. Everyone has the right to approach the court if they feel injured or defamed by a publication. So, rather than blaming opposition for its woes or frequently using the security apparatus against newsmen, the government should look inward and reassess its media team. There have been series of complains about the government media managers and if the government has any intention of avoiding what's coming, then disassembling its current media team will be a good way to start. Until then, all I can say is que sera sera.
By the way, should these two go to war, Uduak Ukpanah had already predicted the outcome when she said "men of the sword shall die by the sword. Men of the pen shall tell the story".
As a member of the state executive council, Godswill Akpabio probably was the most media friendly commissioner. He had a personal relationship with many publishers and journalists and that probably explained why he had an overwhelming support of the local Press ahead of the 2007 governorship election. Besides riding on the goodwill of Attah's administration, Akpabio, in his early days as a governor, sustained the good relationship with the media. The romance was quite a rollercoaster until he decided to entrust it in the hands of opportunists and mediocre. For the benefit of all the JJCs, the very Godswill Obot Akpabio that is so much 'despised' by the local Press today was once a toast of the media.
I bet, in 2007, not even a soothsayer would have predicted that there will be such a fierce rivalry between Godswill Akpabio and the local Press by 2015. It was love made in heaven. But that is the thing about marriage of convenience; it's like a time bomb, no matter how long it takes, it will eventually explode. The breaking news is, the explosion caused by Akpabio's warship is now wrecking Udom Emmanuel's boat. If it isn't the sin of the father visiting the child, I wonder what it is. However, the face-off so far and all the things we see, hear or read are mere signs of war, the real war is yet to come.
Let's talk war. As noted by Winston Churchill, 'war is mainly a catalogue of blunders' and frankly speaking, we are where we are today because of blunders. From Aniekan Umanah's reappointment as Information Commissioner, Governor Udom's failure to meet the Press after more than 100days in office, Ekerette Udoh's American dream, alienation of the local Press, Senator Anietie Okon's assault on a newspaper vendor to the incessant intimidation and arrest of publishers and journalists, it has been blunders after blunders; setting the perfect tone for war. No two wrongs can make a right.
As a daily visitor to the newsstands, I can confidently say that the camp of the local Press is swelling by the day. Besides the number of anti-government newspapers increasing daily, the people on their part are taking sides. It seems nothing brightens their day more than reading negative stories about the government every morning at the newsstands. It was recently alleged that the state government had banned newspaper vendors from selling around the popular Ibom Plaza. According to the report, the reason for the ban was because members of the Free Readers Association, Ibom Plaza District, were fond of chanting 'APC! Change' whenever the state governor passed. I understand the ban was later lifted.
That scenario clearly shows whose side the people are. While the government is busy committing blunders after blunders, the Press is strategically building strong ties. The government has the war chest but the Press has a war plan. Regardless of what people think, the current rivalry in the state is not between Udom/PDP and Umana/APC but between the government and the Press - every other party is an alias.
According to the state commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, journalists in the state are blackmailers and agents of falsehood while the over 100 local tabloids in the state are nothing but rag sheets. Honestly, I can understand his frustration. The man is sitting on a keg of gun powder. Everybody knows that taking the Ukana powers out of the equation, Mr. Umanah will definitely not be the Information commissioner. Clearly, he has failed in his job. It appears the government finds it more convenient to the wrong things. A truce is never out of reach except when your foremen are renowned trucebrakers. The point is, the state government CANNOT strike any deal with the local Press as long as Aniekan Umanah remains the state commissioner for Information.
The law is clear on Press Freedom and it is non-negotiable. Everyone has the right to approach the court if they feel injured or defamed by a publication. So, rather than blaming opposition for its woes or frequently using the security apparatus against newsmen, the government should look inward and reassess its media team. There have been series of complains about the government media managers and if the government has any intention of avoiding what's coming, then disassembling its current media team will be a good way to start. Until then, all I can say is que sera sera.
By the way, should these two go to war, Uduak Ukpanah had already predicted the outcome when she said "men of the sword shall die by the sword. Men of the pen shall tell the story".
Edidiong Godwin, a journalist, writes from Uyo.
No comments:
Post a Comment