The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, as the regulator of the broadcasting industry in Nigeria was alleged to have issued a query to Channels Television over an alleged “breach” of the Broadcasting Code by the media platform during its 24th August, 2021, Sunrise Daily programme with the Executive Governor of Benue state.
The truth of the matter is that a lot of Nigerians are increasingly loosing “confidence” and or “hope”on the “ability” , and or “willingness”of the government to protect their lives and property. The government must be reminded that its primary responsibility is the protection of lives and property of its citizens. The government must be alive to its responsibility.
However, on a general note, the media as a moderator must always be professional in handling ethno-religious reportage. It must not be used for ethno-religious profiling by ethnic and or religious entrepreneurs. It must always be professional in interviewing politicians due to their antics. Balance reportage in journalism is sacrosanct. Media “anchors” as moderators must always put their guest in check where he or she derails.
At our “births” nobody choose to be born as either Hausa or Yoruba or Igbo and or a Tiv man etc. “Crimes” and “criminality” have neither ethnic nor religious Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Criminals must be treated as criminals whether Fulanis or Hausas or Yorubas or Igbos or Tivs or Bachamas and or Jukums.
The media with Just a “word “or “two” could calm “frayed nerves”or set the society “ablaze” within a twinkle of an eye.
It is sad to note that, some sections of the media often “over balloon” reports of killings affecting a particular religion or ethnic group and “down play” a similar reports of killings in some places affecting other religions and or ethnic groups. In my view, this is not a responsible media practice. It is a disservice to the nation and unethical to the profession of journalism.
It worries me to note that some sections of the media has since turned journalism profession to a medium for promoting ethno- religious and regional struggles as against ethno -religious tolerance, social Justice, good governance, balance reportage, and national unity.
It is disheartening as well as hypocritical to link farmer-herder clashes or armed banditry in Southern Kaduna, Benue, Taraba, Plateau, and Adamawa as ethnic or religious cleansing while the ones in Niger, Birnin Gwari, Zamfara, and Katsina states as mere armed banditry.
In my understanding, farmer-herder conflict is neither ethnic nor religious. The conflict is purely on economic resources, in this case, land resources with which farmers “cultivate” on and herders “graze”on .
“It is a resource conflict, certainly neither religious nor ethnic. Even if both farmer and herder were Fulani, same would have occurred. The land resources is the issue, not tribe, not religion…”- (Mathias, 2017).
Journalism is a”public trust” which has the responsibility of promoting unity, justice, fairness, good governance, and balance reportage. Our media practitioners in the country must be patriotic enough in discharging their duties being the watchdog of the society.
The media on a general note must not allow ethno-religious entrepreneurs among us to use its platforms as a means of emphasis our differences for their selfish gains. Why not emphase our common humanity and Nigerianess ? On a general note, “sensational” or “junk” or “gonzo” journalism does not do anybody any good.
The alleged breach of the Code was said to have occurred during the response of Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state to the presidential directives for the review of abandoned 368 grazing reserves sites from across 25 states as a step towards addressing farmer-herder clashes.
Some people are of the view that “Ranching” is the only way to solve farmer-herder clashes while others still believe in “pastoralism”. In my thoughts, sentiment or emotion will never solve our problem. As people as a country we must find a middle ground and or a win-win solution to both Farmers-herders.
May God bless Nigeria!
