Journalism, professionalism on trial as censorship rocks Chronicle

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State

By Florence Oluohu

In my 33 years of practicing journalism with the Cross River State Newspaper Corporation, it is on record that none of my stories, features, commentaries, opinion pieces and Editorials have EVER been censored – not as a Reporter, not as an Editor. Not ever.
I have had the privilege of working with some of the best brains in journalism as bosses, both in editorial and managerial positions – Elder Oqua Itu, David Edem and Unimke Nawa, Onayi Egbe-Onyeocha (all of blessed memory), Daniel (Arikpo) Ubi, Ogbang Akwaji, Dominic Kidzu, and Emma Akpong. NONE OF THEM ever expressed dissatisfaction with and therefore censored or dropped my input to the publications.
So well was my work rated that Kidzu, in his capacity as GM, elevated me to the position of Editor of the Weekend Chronicle and facilitated my induction into the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE). Akwaji honed my editing skills in that position. I owe them a lot of gratitude.
But, sadly, that enviable record (permit me to blow my trumpet) was broken yesterday. Sadder still, by someone who is a stranger to our noble profession, a graduate of ADULT AND NON-FORMAL EDUCATION. Funny, right? Yet I am not laughing!
Keyu Edet CLAIMS to be the GM of CRSNC, purportedly appointed by the Governor, Prince Bassey Otu. That is a laughable claim because we all know that who the governor appoints, he announces. With no publication or announcement of her name or position in any medium or platform, one wonders at whose instance she occupies that office. I CHALLENGE Keyu Edet to present a letter signed by the Governor, dated February 8, 2024 or thereabouts, when she returned to Chronicle as “GM”, as announced by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Erasmus Ekpang, in his office.
A little history will help us here. The said Keyu was to have retired from the service of the Cross River State government on December 1, 2023. She tarried, even against the Head of Service Circular on retirement and even superintended over the publication of a newspaper post her retirement date. The story was that she had written to the governor for extension. Though the extension was not granted, she got approval for Grade Level 17, as we were told. On December 12, she left, but on February 8, we were told she has returned as a POLITICAL APPOINTEE! Hmmm!!! Will the Governor give such approval and recycle such person in less than two months? I believe not!

On March 23, 2024 in an inhouse platform, CHRONICLE NEWSROOM, Keyu had reacted to an article written by George Otu thus: “Editor (Daily) please this story should not go the way it is. If it is not worked on it should not go at all.Thanks.” Till today, the “IT SHOULD NOT GO AT ALL” (emphasis mine) directive stands. The article has not seen the light of day!
Reacting, I warned my colleagues in the following words: “This reaction will most likely be deleted, but the journalist in me just won’t allow me pretend here. My dear colleagues, you may be too sentimental, or blind, or both, to see it, but this is CENSORSHIP, in bold all-caps headline!!! And coming from one who has no business, inclination or training in your profession, it is sad! This is just the beginning, and I cringe at where it will end. Call me names, but your mirror beckons!”
Over the weekend of April 12-14, I attended a function and wrote an article. It bore my name. Sadly, at the point of going to press, my article was dropped! Unfortunately, a fellow Editor, Oka Ibor, who is less than 6 months as a member of the Guild of Editors, was the instrument for carrying out this instruction. Sad! Sad!! Sad!!!
Dear colleagues, attached is the article. Journalism is on trial here. So is professionalism. Today, it is me. Tomorrow, it can be anyone of us. CONTENT with my schedule as EiC, I desire to work with a professional colleague who understands journalism. Even if the position of GM is to be politicized, it should be occupied by a PROFESSIONAL.
I rest my case.