Abdulhammed A. Ujo
The recent declaration by Sam Nda-Isaiah, publisher of Leadership newspaper to contest the Presidential Election in 2015 reminds us of other Nigerians who defected from journalism to partisan politics. They include Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, Abike Dabiri, Senator Smart Adeyemi, Labaran Maku, Senator Bala Mohammed and Chris Anyanwu. The interesting thing about Nda-Isaiah’s defection is that he gave reason for joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the desire to contest the Presidential election in 2015. He is likely to contest with Muhammadu Buhari, APC front runner in the presidential race. He was Buhari’s spokesperson and deputy director general of his presidential campaign organisation for the 2003 presidential election. He recently confessed that he is still a member of the Buhari Organization (TBO).
The question is that will he contest against his mentor? The answer to this question will be known in few months’ time; Nda-Isaiah has the constitutional right to contest. The only institution which can stop him is APC convention.
The movement from journalism to partisan politics has serious implication as either side of the divide is based on different ethical principles.
As an intermediary between the people and government, a journalist performs vital information and communication functions. Those functions are guided by ethical principles derived from rights and obligation and freedom and responsibility. Ethical orientation of journalism is reflected in two functional areas which are news and opinion. News is information about facts and data based on truthfulness with appropriate means of verification and proof. On the other hand, opinion conveys thoughts, ideas, beliefs and values. It is therefore subjective.
Ethical principles of journalists are truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability. These canons of journalism are subject to what is described as “principles of limit to warn” which are legal and cultural “gate keepers” for information dissemination.
The adoption of the canons of journalism necessitates the conveyance of accurate information to the target audience. This is to avoid misinformation.
Based on the foregoing principles, Nigerian journalists have been able to expose many cases of corruption i.e., cases involving Evans Enwerem, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Adolphous Wabara and Salisu Buhari.
The principle of information management in partisan politics is different from those in journalism. In partisan politics propaganda is the name of the game. Propaganda is a form of communication aimed towards influencing the attitude of a population to some cause or position. It is often described as a commercial warfare because it uses selective loaded messages to influence emotion rather than reason. It is a subtle way of political campaign. It is usually done by experts in manipulating language and designing jingoistic messages. Propaganda does not convey messages that are true, impartial and fair.
A journalist who crosses the line to partisan politics commits ideological suicide as he moves from the bar of truth to that of falsehood. This is expected as a political party exists with programmes and election manifesto. Members of the party must not only accept the programmes and manifesto but also defend and advertise them. The behaviour of Labaran Maku is a good example of a partisan convert.
There are three reasons which compel journalists to move into partisan politics. The condition of service in some of the media houses leaves much to be desired. Many journalists live from hand to mouth. Their remuneration is not enough to meet their basic needs, especially, those residing in expensive towns like Abuja and Lagos.
The second reason is the enticements of political office holders, especially those occupying the offices of president and governor. These categories of public officers need journalists to do propaganda for them. The third reason journalists migrate to party politics is self-actualization. Those journalists who have attained the position of CEOs have satisfied at least four out of the five needs in Abraham Maslow, Hierarchy of Need. The movement to party politics is to achieve the fifth need which is self-actualization. Self-actualization is an egoistic achievement which places an individual above others in terms of influence or power and authority.
The foregoing are the reasons journalists migrate into party politics. Such journalists abandon ethics of their profession and become propagandists. In most cases the movement to government house is a journey of no return. After enjoying the stupendous perquisite of office only a few of them come back to the “desert”.
There are a few exceptions. Adeniyi’s stay in the Villa was cut short with the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua. He returned to ThisDay and was reintegrated into the profession. Abike Dabiri-Erewa is a lonely voice in the wilderness as she is making every effort to combine professional ethics with the new demands in the House of Representatives.
Given the current trend, unless something is done, and quickly too, the migration of journalists into partisan politics is likely to continue. Those likely to defect are the crème of the profession. If this drift is not halted overtime, journalism will be dominated by third rate, hungry and unethical people.