By Adewole Kehinde
The professional discipline of gathering and confirming facts is the first step in the process of achieving journalistic truth. Then, subject to more research, journalists attempt to present a trustworthy and impartial explanation of their meaning.
The online ruffle-rousing platform Sahara Reporters’ model does not meet the aforementioned criteria for authentic journalism.
Sahara Reporters, a New York-based internet news outlet that focuses on Nigeria, is well-known for discrediting and publishing half-true, libellous, and insulting stories about people and organisations, frequently without even attempting to adhere to principles or ideals of journalism.
My attention was drawn to some irresponsible content in a story by Sahara Reporters’ titled “EXCLUSIVE: Panic Grips ‘Illegal’ IGP Kayode Egbetokun As Pressure Mounts On Tinubu To Sack Him Over Loss Of Confidence In His Leadership.”
My major annoyance is the aspect that says, “Sources revealed that Egbetokun has recently been experiencing health issues due to stress, as he lives with only one kidney after facing a kidney-related problem years ago when he was a Chief Superintendent of Police.”
Sahara Reporters has gotten away with a series of unethical stories since 2006, and the list of their victims is by now a very long one. The latest of such slanderous shots was aimed at IGP Kayode Egbetokun, linking his health to his duty as the Inspector General of Police.
The scant story would placate the interest of readers as yet another expose of the lack of confidence in the person of the IGP, but for the fact that it was coming from an outfit so well-known for dishing out falsehoods.
I see the Sahara Reporter publication as false, baseless, and malicious. In my region of the Southwest, you don’t use someone’s health to spite them. Moreover, the Holy Book said, “For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds, says the Lord”. – Jeremiah 30:17
Nothing is more reckless and demonic to the honourable profession of journalism and its tenets of impartiality, fair hearing, fact-checking, and balancing than the sudden fabrication of such false information by Sahara Reporters, which explains how lies, fake news, and misinformation have become commonplace in its trade.
Sahara Reporters used another falsehood as an attempt to elaborate on the small detail of their own by saying that the UK trip was expected to provide Egbetokun with an opportunity to seek medical attention under the guise of attending the security conference.
Sahara Reporters, a company that frequently disregards the most fundamental standards of journalism, made no effort to speak with IGP Egbetokun for his side of the story before hastily publishing a fabricated story that was damaging to IGP Egbetokun, his family, and well-wishers and riddled with false information and libellous remarks.
The ethical standards of decent journalism are being assailed by Sahara Reporters’ mudslinging and mischievous journalism. With the belief that certain individuals and organisations are above reproach, Sahara Reporters is prepared to give up everything, at all costs, in order to fulfil its largely planned goal of defaming their identities.
In conclusion, my prayer for IGP Kayode Egbetokun can be found in the book of Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters. 08166240846. kennyadewole@gmail.com. @kennyadewole
