Joseph Odok|26 September 2016
The reputation of Channels TV in Cross River State is recently called to question. This may have been compromised after it got a retainer for Media hype for Mr. Ben Ayade the Governor of Cross River State. Though Channels TV stands tall amongst most media houses in Nigeria, it lack of luster in doing thorough investigative journalism before most of its publication of the activities of the Mr Ben Ayade, leaves many with an impression of compromise and a focus on commercialization of journalism rather than true journalism.
It is a known fact that the Mr Ben Ayade's government is fraud with so much media hype and buying of awards as a ploy to buy time and swindle Cross River State of all its funds. The governor's brother and co governor of Cross River State Frank Ayade has always served a conduit pipe for transfer of funds misappropriated by the governor. His recent arrest by EFCC for anti graft offence confirms under rating of Channels TV with rumours of compromise in its reportage of events that bothers on Cross River State administration.
Unfortunately, Channels TV is caught in the web of being at the forefronts of reporting most of the aborted projects in Cross River State. It is to be recalled that the aborted super high way project, deep sea port and the recently controversial garment factory has received media hype from Channels TV. Time and events seems to reveal the Cross River State governor as one that fulfils projects only in media outlets and always fails at the point of delivery.
My focus today will be limited to the recently over bloated Green Police which the Cross River State government has withdrawn its commitment to and cancelled employment letters of all those it purportedly employed as Cross River State Green Police.
Precisely in May, the Cross River State Government, through an elaborate media hype in collaboration with Channels TV announced the employment of over 1,500 people as green police volunteers. Just recently the governor called for the withdrawal of all those he offered employment letters as green police. The vehicles he purportedly provided for the green police has been given to the oppression Skolombo Task Force for the eradication of street children.
One wonders why the governor should cancel the recruitment exercise of green police without informing the citizenry nor giving a press statement. A secretive government is surely often a corrupt government.
I urge the management of Channels TV to do investigative journalism on issues around the green police to save its hard earned name. Only Proper reportage and update can save Channels TV of its compromised integrity.
Joseph Odok
Social Change Agent
