Many Ignoble Professionals Practice Journalism In Nigeria - Kingsley Momoh

Ifeanyi Obi - Nigeria

The Chief executive officer of Guguru FM, Kingsley Momoh has described the state of journalism in Nigeria as one of the major reasons most Nigerians are still living in poverty. The media entrepreneur whose career has spanned nearly two decades said that the media has been carefully hijacked and castrated under the orchestration of politicians.

He made his thoughts known during an interview session organized by a religious-based youth group that seeks to understand the importance of various professions. Momoh while reacting to some of the questions told the listeners that true journalism in Nigeria is in a state of coma, he said that "there are some noble professions that are being practiced by a lot of ignoble professionals: journalism is one of them.

Momoh who is a 2019 fellow of the Bisi Alimi Foundation told the young audience that although technologically Nigeria is improving, the real deal journalism is known for has long been thrown into the grave of history; maybe awaiting a resurrection by true democrats and leaders.

He noted that there are so many issues journalism could have brought to the fore as part of its status as agenda-setting machinery. However, the media in Nigeria seems to be blind, deaf, and dumb and is the follower of the agenda set by the politicians and money bags in society.

He pointed at the recent probe of the activities of the ministry of the Niger Delta and the NDDC as a clear example of how the responsibilities of journalism in Nigeria was thrown to the politicians to dictate. The Jattu, Etsako born journalist said that until the media is truly professional in Nigeria, bad politicians will continue to treat the people poorly.

Momoh who is a former editor of BOS Magazine and Castles Magazine noted that despite all the negatives about journalism practice in Nigeria, there are a good number of those who have been trying to play the roles to the best they can in the circumstances available in the country. Some have resorted to reducing the potency of their skills because as the saying goes "Man must wack" while the others who are still adamant in playing according to the tenets are being made described as paid activists and painted in other negative descriptions.