Every responsible journalist in Akwa Ibom state is expected to heave a sigh of relief at what seems like a rescue of the profession from the clutches of blackmailers and non-professionals who have held the state to ransom in the past few years.
It has been observed that some media outfits are notorious for being anti-Governor Godswill Akpabio. And they are clearly sponsored by enemies of the state. However, such publications have become a reference point for quackery.
A local tabloid, Global Concord, which is being used by enemies of the state, debuted when Akpabio, as a matter of public interest, stood against a certain politician’s efforts to stampede him into fleecing the state in his favour. Because Akpabio refused to accede to that request, the bubble burst and hell was let loose, with the man’s fury knowing no bounds. It was from such miasma of anti-people’s interest that this platform of serial blackmail was birthed.
In order to discredit the governor, the arrowhead of that callous project has published a lot of unprinted write-ups, often written in bad English, demonstration of high level of incompetence. And they have remained relentless in their efforts to demonise governor Akpabio and his administration. Sometimes the attack is so flagrant that one wonders whether the writer has lost every iota of respect for constituted authorities.
It is unfortunate that in Akwa Ibom, journalism, which is a noble and respected profession, is being practised by those without proper training and ethics. Let me use this opportunity to invite regulatory authorities to call all image killers in journalism to order. A few disgruntled individuals must not be allowed to drag this noble profession to the mud.
John Akpaide,
Oron, Akwa Ibom State
