NIGERIA MEDIA MONITOR
#03-30 MONDAY 3RD AUGUST, 1998
* JOURNALISTS ASSAULTED; ANOTHER ARRESTED * NUJ REWARDS "THE INNOCENT FOUR"; FETES OTHER FREED JOURNALISTS * SACKED JOURNALISTS REINSTATED * SUSPENDED JOURNALIST TABLES CASE BEFORE CGS * NITEL'S THREAT TO INTERNET. * NUJ AND CONSTITUTIONAL PROBLEM NEWSREEL JOURNALISTS ASSAULTED; ANOTHER ARRESTED Some journalists covering the proceedings at the launching of a new political party; United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP) were assaulted 28 July, 1998 they were attempting to take the photograph of the leader of the party Alhaji Isa Mohammed when he slumped down while delivering a keynote address at the ceremony. Mike Agada and Sunday photojournalists with The Punch and The News were manhandled and have their cameras were,snatched and smashed while attempting to record the incident. This resulted into a free- for-all fight between the journalists and the politicians present at the ceremony. In another development, the Anambra state correspondent of The Punch newspaper, Mr. Ofonime Umanah, was arrested by the police in the state. He was picked up at The Punch office in Onitsha on 29 July 1998 at about 8.30 in the morning by three policemen who said they were from the Central Police Station (CPS), Onitsha. At the CPS, Umanah was directed to see the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) who later referred him to an officer who ordered that he should be detained at Enugwu Ukwu police post, close to the police headquarters in Anambra. The police have given no reason for the arrest. NUJ REWARDS "THE INNOCENT FOUR"; FETES OTHER FREED JOURNALISTS. The four journalists, popularly called "the innocent four", convicted over the 1995 alleged coup plot have been conferred with the "Ambassador of Courage of Nigerian Press" award by the Lagos state council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). The Union also planned a compendium of their experience in jail. The proposed book, according to Lanre Arogundade, the chairman of the Union, shall be titled "Testimonies of Ambassadors of Courage". Also, a yearly seminar is also planned in attempt to immortalise their names. The sum of $445 is also announced to have been raised for the four journalists by the British Union of Journalists, (BUJ). The journalists were Kunle Ajibade, Editor, The News; Mrs. Chris Anyanwu, publisher of The Sunday Magazine (TSM); George Mbah, Assistant Editor, TELL magazine, Ben Charles-Obi, Editor Weekend Classique, who were released recently by the Federal Government. Similarly, the Lagos council of the NUJ on Saturday 25 July, 1998 organised an elaborate reception ceremony for all the journalists recently released for the detention. The ceremony which was attended by veterans in the profession, pro-democracy activists journalists and human right activists, called on the General Abubakar regime to release the other journalists still being held including Niran Malaolu, Editor of The Diet Newspapers, implicated in the alleged coup in December 1997, Moshood Fayemiwo, Publisher of Razor magazine, Bagauda Kaltho, The News correspondent and Mr. Chinedu Offoaro of The Guardian Newspapers. The NUJ boss lauded the solidarity shown by foreign organisations as well as the local pro-democracy groups in sustaining the campaign for the release of the journalists. He further called for the excision of section 154 (9) of the draft constitution which "provides for the establishment of a National Mass Media Commission. While proposing the toast for the released journalists, Mr. Femi Falana, lawyer and human rights activist, called on the federal government to: * Pay compensation to the released journalists, having been wrongly and unjustly jailed. And unless this is done, others will do worse next time. * Immediately repeal Decree two * Immediately abolish all special tribunals across the country and resort to the normal civil courts of law. The released journalists present at the ceremony were the four convicted journalists, Onome Osifo-Whiskey, General Editor, TELL magazine, Soji Omotunde, Editor, African Concord, Babafemi Ojudu, Managing Editor, TheNews/Tempo and Tokunbo Fakeye, Senior Correspondent, TheNews/Tempo. SACKED JOURNALISTS REINSTATED The Ondo State Executive Council, Saturday 25 July, 1998 announced the reinstatement of three journalists working with the Ondo State Television (ODTV) who were sacked on 12 May, 1997. The journalists, Messrs. Rotimi Obamuwagun, Sehinde Adeniyi and Ola Bamidele were axed for broadcasting a press release by the Ondo State council of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) denouncing the slapping of ODTV's General Manager, Mrs. Dunni Fagbeyibo by an unknown soldier last February. As a result of the incident, a probe panel was constituted to investigate the case and review the activities of the corporation in the last two years. The panel recommended the dismissal of the journalists for what was described as disloyal and subversive acts against the state government. The government spokesman, Mr. Daniel Adeyanju Ojo who announced the decision to reinstate the journalists said that the journalists were called back to the office due to the intervention of the National President of NUJ, Mr. Lanre Ogundipe, Ondo State NUJ, Chairman, Mr. Dayo Fadehunsi and a broad spectrum of people in the state. SUSPENDED JOURNALIST TABLES CASE BEFORE CGS A journalist with the Akwa Ibom State owned weekly newspaper, The Weekend Pioneer, suspended from duty five months, ago without pay has taken his case before the Chief of General Staff (CGS), Rear Admiral Mike Akhigbe. The embattled journalist, Mr. Sam Akpe, until his suspension, the Features Editor, was ordered to proceed on an indefinite suspension on March 9, by the State Administrator, Navy Captain Joseph Adeusi. Though reasons for his suspension were not indicated in the letter from the management of the newspaper, Adeusi who later owned up to ordering the action, told journalists at Government House, Uyo during the March edition of his monthly press briefing that the editor was not only punished for using government medium to attack government, but also for receiving a N50,000 pay-off from Mr. Isong Akpabio, the public affairs manager, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU), Eket. Despite strident denials and pleas of innocence by the reporter on both charges, the administrator has refused too review his case and order his suspension lifted. In a distress letter to the CGS, dated July 20, and entitled: The Persecution of A Reporter: A Call for Intervention," Akpe cried: "...by those allegations, especially that on bribe taking, a question mark now hangs menacingly over my reputation. I now have a credibility crisis in the eyes of my colleagues, and within the media industry in Nigeria. The consequences, of this situation for me are" career-threatening (since) a journalist is as good as his reputation." The accusation of bribe-taking, he insisted, is not in any way true. I never met the Mobil official that the military administrator cited in his allegation before writing the article. I am equally sure the Mobil official does not even know I exist. In the letter, copies of which were sent to the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshall Nsiskak Eduok, and his naval counterpart, Fear Admiral Jibril Ayinla, the journalist who insisted on his innocence, stated: "The report of this allegation was widely published in newspapers and magazines across the country. And the embarrassment is far beyond words. I feel threatened and unsafe. Navy Captain Adeusi has descended on me with the full might of his office and personality, and the weight is crushing." While calling for their combined intervention, Akpe pointed out that this was "not to help me regain my job at Akwa Ibom State Newspaper Corporation, but to investigate and establish the truth or otherwise of Navy Captain Joseph Adeusi's allegations against me." "It is morally compelling that the military administrator be made to either publish the evidence he claims to have regarding the issue of bribe taking or retract the allegations," he pleaded Akpe was suspended on March 9, following a report, entitled: "The Spill Continues," he published in the March 6 edition of the paper in response to an advertiser's announcement by the Akwa Ibom State Youth Development Association (AKYDA) in the February 16 edition of the same paper as well as some national dailies. NITELS THREAT TO INTERNET: SERVICE PROVIDERS TO PROTEST TO PRESIDENCY The national carrier, NITEL has called the bluff of Internet Service Providers, ISPs, insisting that the N10,000 ($117) per line per month charged slammed on them for receiving only Internet Service telephone lines still stands in spite of all the controversies and protests. But the service providers are preparing to make a protest to the presidency, saying the decision will frustrate government's effort to encourage the service, and will lead to an increase in tariffs which will ultimately be passed to the subscribers. This may be the biggest jolt to the grading Internet Industry in Nigeria. This latest NITEL's decision is coming shortly after a global Internet conference INET '98 which ended in Switzerland at the weekend, rose against the decision by NITEL, advising that such measures and policies be discontinued. Latest NITEL's decision was through a memo dated July 20, ref. MDCE/A.5/Vol.VI/REG 508/322, signed by G. A Jibrin, on behalf of NITEL's Chief Executive, Professor Buba Bajoga, conveyed to the Nigerian Internet Group, NIG, insisting that it will deal with the IDP's on one to one and not as an umbrella organisation the NIG, which is seeking government intervention. The NIG had intervened on behalf of service providers in a memo sent to NITEL dated July 2, stating that "after an extensive deliberations on the issue (the letter sent providers for the new fees christened "Interconnection fee)" wishes to state that we do not understand the basis for the interconnection agreement mentioned in the letter and the rationale for any mandatory charge on receive only lines being demanded by NITEL." The letter signed by Secretary to NIG, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, and copied to the Minister of Communications and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC said "Interconnectivity is necessary where there is an exchange of traffic between two networks and an interconnection agreement is signed between the parties involved, to address modalities for sharing costs and revenue". He said "in our own opinion, the nature of ISP business, does not involve the exchange of traffic with NITEL, hence, there is no need for any interconnection agreement. Inspite of this protest, NITEL went ahead to disconnect the service providers from July 3rd, forcing the NIG to protest to the Communications Minister, in a save our soul message dated July 7, asking for his intervention "in this matter so as to save the industry from collapse". Before the expected intervention of the minister, NITEL had finally rebuffed the NIG in the July 20 letter saying "it (NITEL) maintains contractual relationships only with specific corporate and licenced organisation and not with umbrella organizations/interest groups. The monopoly also said "NITEL's position is however without prejudice to the merits or demerits of the submissions and claims made in your letter." It said that any member of the group who has an issue to raise should come and discuss directly with NITEL officials. This latest positions has already compounded the matter as the NIG made up of corporate institutions like National Universities Commission, higher institutions of learning, research institutes, libraries, oil companies, corporate bodies, experts, Internets Service Providers among others was duly licenced among others by the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC). NITEL's decision to ward of the NIG as an interest group, prompted a meeting held Tuesday 28 July, 1998 by the group to ask for the intervention of the presidency. An Internet expert also said that the latest attempt to treat the NIG as mere association, as against its due licence, and negation of its roles in promoting Internet use in Nigeria, is a divide and rule tactics to achieve the predatory pricing of Internet use in Nigeria, and advised the NIG not to countenance such a position being pulled by NITEL. The Internet pricing controversy was also a subject for comments at the just concluded global Internet summit in Switzerland with many Nigerian participants reporting the development. Although no formal letter was sent to the Nigerian government over the position on latest charges on Internet receive only telephones, by NITEL, the summit condemned the practice and urged government to act fast to change the scenario as the current cost of Internet service in Nigeria remains about the highest in the whole word. Reports from Ghana, South Africa, European Asian and American countries which were presented, showed that the idea of charging receive only phones for Internet service in Nigeria is the first of its kind, and can only make the costs become high against all expectations. The commentators said that considering that receive only lines generate more traffic in all Internet environment, because it is an access line which all users of Internet must use at all times, therefore, putting them in constant benefit of the provider, the decision is very retrogressive. This argument falls in line with the position of the NIG which had argued that while a normal NITEL's voice only telephone generates about N1,500 ($176) per month, the average usage of receive only lines by the ISPs is about ten hours per day and assuming it is only local call rates of N1.80 per minute, will yield some N32,100 ($377)mper month. "We should emphasize that calls made on receive only lines are incremental in that those calls would not be made if ISPs did not exist", it said. It further argued that if NITEL goes ahead with this tariff, it means that "for an ISP with 50 dial up lines, this NITEL's demand will be an added running cost of N500,000 ($5, 882) per month," which "will then cost more than a 64 kbps international leased circuit." According to the NIG, "an additional charge on receive only lines will only exacerbate the high cost of operations being experienced by ISPs in Nigeria." Almost all the big service providers have more than 50 lines raising the depth of the grouse over NITEL's charge. The group contend that NITEL is pivotal to government's goals of deregulation and liberalization and that its action must therefore be seen to encourage investment and stimulate growth of the telecommunications industry in Nigeria, but that this latest position runs counter to these government's objective. As at the time of going to press, the group is yet to adopt a position on how to reach the presidency but the new tariff is already taking its toll as many are considering an upward review of tariff charged to customers. Source: Vanguard, 29 July, 1998 INFORMED COMMENTARY NUJ AND CONSTITUTIONAL PROBLEM On September 27 and 28 1991, the then National and State officers of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and selected delegates across the country, gathered at the Bagauda Lake Hotel in Kano for a two-day constitutional conference. Expectedly, new standards were set at the conference. New entrants were required to obtain at least a Diploma or Degree in Journalism or Mass Communication. In addition, holders of such qualifications were required to serve a probationary period of 12 months before they could be registered. Persons with diplomas and degrees in other disciplines were expected to meet two conditions before they could then qualify for registration. These conditions, I presume is what the Nigeria Press Council's Decree 85 of 1992 modified. Participants at the Kano conference were satisfied at the end of deliberations that major moves had been made to sanitise the union activities, as well as the practice of journalism in Nigeria. This they thought, will help bring about lasting solutions to the sagging image of the profession. Nuhu Gagara, then of the Plateau State Council, in one of his contributions on the floor of the conference, said "The new entry requirements for journalists would solve the problem of indiscipline among practitioners." He added: "Some of our members are so indisciplined and corrupt that at times, I wonder how they got registered." Emmanuel Oijie, then secretary to the Benue State Council, described the new constitution "as Nigerian journalists last hope". He said: "Although, there are some noticeable shortcomings in the new constitution, there "is hope that it will redirect our members especially our leaders towards professional sanity." Almost seven years after, how wrong this belief turned out to be. Yet nothing has changed due mainly to the ineffective manner the conditions stipulated in that constitution were implemented. Journalism practice today, like it has always been, is still an all covers affairs. Our leaders, especially at the union levels have not been able to exhibit the professional maturity and the sanity expected of them. There isn't any doubt, in my mind that Nigerian journalists urgently need to hold another constitutional conference, to see how far they can remedy this ugly situation. It is heart-warming to know that the Lanre Ogundipe led National Executive Council is already thinking along this line. Preparations are said to be in top gear for the constitutional conference coming up any moment from now in Yola. But, I am not too confident about the present crops of our National leaders' ability to carry out this enormous task. As journalists make preparations for yet another conference, the fact they must note lose sight of, is constitutional crisis, which has been the bane of N.U.J since its inauguration on March 1, 1955. In 1975, the union was almost torn apart due to succession crisis. Decree 22 of 1978 that was subsequently approved for the union by the government of the day, proved not to be helpful. Another constitutional crisis again rocked the union in 1980 at the Akure National Delegates Conference, where Bola Adedoja emerged as National President. That conference was marred when Ralph Igwa and his supporters walked out over a proposal for the representation at the conference. In Enugu in 1985, the delegates conference was not better, as all attempts to amend the union constitution failed. Six years later, journalists found peace for the first time, met in Kano and agreed to amend the constitution. To date, that was the first and only time such a feat was achieved by Nigerian journalists. This was after a lot of groundwork has been done by Sani Zorro-led National Executive Council. Hence, my advice to the Ogundipe's executive is to be up and doing if they sincerely want a new constitution for the union. Already, a new draft constitution, has been prepared by the Adamu Marshal and, Chom Bagu-led committee for members to deliberate upon and approve. A close look at the document shows two major area of amendments. The tenure of office of elected officers which is extended from two years to three per term and a new revenue formula, that tend to favour state councils and chapels. I believe in fundamental changes, that could give more bite to the effective implementation of the conditions contained in the constitution. Anyway, I was told that an amendment is being proposed by a group which the National President is alleged to be supporting at the Lagos Council. The amendment(s) are alleged to have been conceptualised in an attempt to get at some individual groups or factions in the union. It is said to be directed principally at journalists working with government-owned media houses. >From what I have gathered so far, if adopted, journalists from over 150 chapels across the country will be disenfranchised. I honestly do not think this is the kind of amendments practitioners are yearning for. However, I don't believe this is to be true, but if there is anything similar to that, I appeal to the president and his Executive Council members to ensure that, that section is expunged from the draft that will be presented to delegates in Yola so as not to precipate another consitutional ciris in the union. I would rather suggest, that section 12 in Article 6 of the N.U.J's constitution, which excludes members holding very senior editorial responsibilities from seeking elective positions in the union to be amended. * By Gabriel Omonhinmin of the Voice of Nigeria, Lagos. TO OUR DEAR READERS: 1. Media Monitor is designed as a dialogical project. We expect its contents to elicit reactions from its readers. And we encourage you to share your feelings with others on its pages. Letters not longer than 200 words and addressed to The Editor, Media Monitor, should be sent to: ijc@linkserve.com.ng. 2. It is our desire that Media Monitor gets to all locations where people believe in the cause of free expression, democracy and freedom. We are working to extend the reach of the publication. And we implore you to support this endeavour. How? Simply compile and e-mail to us a list of persons and organizations who you believe would find this publication useful for their work. We will promptly put them on our mailing list. Our target audience includes media, free expression/human rights bodies, NGOs, diplomatic/policy centres, professional associations, departments/schools of journalism/mass communication/government/political science/african studies, and other strategic circles. MEDIA MONITOR IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY AND CIRCULATED WORLDWIDE BY INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM CENTRE (IJC), TEJUMOLA HOUSE, 1ST FLOOR, 24 OMOLE LAYOUT, NEW ISHERI ROAD, P.O.BOX 7808, IKEJA, LAGOS, NIGERIA, WEST AFRICA. PHONE/FAX: 234-1-4924998; E-MAIL: ijc@linkserve.com.ng
TO OUR DEAR READERS: Media Monitor is a dialogical project. We expect that its contents will elicit reactions from its readers. Consequently, you are all encouraged to share your feelings with one another on its pages. Letters not longer than 200 words marked for the attention of the Editor, Media Monitor, should be e-mailed to: ijc@linkserve.com.ng
MEDIA MONITOR IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY AND CIRCULATED WORLDWIDE BY INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM CENTRE (IJC), TEJUMOLA HOUSE, 1ST FLOOR, 24 OMOLE LAYOUT, NEW ISHERI ROAD, P.O.BOX 7808, LAGOS, NIGERIA. TEL/FAX 234-1-4924998; E-MAIL: ijc@linkserve.com.ng
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