By Adewole Kehinde
In journalism, the “Five ‘W’s” are “Who,” “What,” “When,” “Where,” and why.” Referring back to the Five Ws helps journalists address the fundamental questions that every story should be able to answer.
Misinterpretation is a case of misunderstanding something. Failure to understand or interpret something correctly. an error caused by misinterpretation of the rules: a mistaken interpretation
Interpretation comes from the Latin interpretari, which means “explain” or “translate.” Adding the prefix mis- (which in this case means “wrongly”) changes the word’s meaning to “wrong interpretation.” Misinterpretation is often accidental, but it can be intentional, too. “Willful misinterpretation” is misunderstanding someone else’s words on purpose, often to make an unrelated point.
On Saturday, Opera News published a misleading story titled: “Ag. IGP Egbetokun was my Deputy Commandant when we were in Police College in Ikeja, CSP Adejobi.”
The simple tweet from CSP Adejobi said, “He was my Deputy Commandant in the Police College Ikeja when I was a directing staff in the same college. Highly cerebral, active, and passionate boss. God bless your tenure, sir. Iree o”.
Simple logic should tell the reporter that “directing staff” is far below the commandant and Deputy Commandant. So, I wonder how the above tweet from CSP Adejobi could be interpreted to mean “the newly appointed Acting Inspector General of Police used to work under him,” according to mischievous Opera News.
I won’t be surprised if the so-called “Tymoh (self-media writer)” that wrote the news for Opera News is just an admin staff member that lacks journalistic experience but who found himself amid a media outfit.
What is the duty of the Editor who approved the posting? Is the simple English in Adejobi’s tweet too big for him to understand or what?
A good media writer should possess some qualities, which include knowledge of grammar and punctuation, the ability to simplify information, a focus on accuracy and details, objectivity, and clarity.
The writer of Adejobi’s tweet lacks the entire qualities of a good writer in all ramifications.
I expect a retraction and apology from the entire team of Opera News aside from pulling down the mischievous news.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846 or kennyadewole@gmail.com
