In the past 24 hours, my phone has been inundated with calls from colleagues, associates, and concerned members of the public regarding a publication authored by one character Dodo Okafor, in which he made several false, defamatory and malicious claims against my person and ABN TV.
Ordinarily, I would ignore such distractions. However, when falsehood is deliberately packaged as commentary in a calculated attempt to damage reputation, it becomes necessary to set the record straight and clearly.
*ABN TV’s ROLE AT THE GOVERNOR’S MEDIA CHAT*
The media chat with Governor Alex Otti was aired LIVE across more than 15 radio, television and online platforms. ABN TV was one among several credible platforms that broadcast the event in full.
As is our standard editorial practice after every LIVE coverage, ABN TV extracts short highlight clips from long broadcasts to help the public easily digest key moments. This is not unusual. It is a global media practice.
One of the clips was titled: “Governor Alex Otti Clashes with Journalist Over Measurable Impact at February Media Chat.”
The clip reflected exactly what transpired during the live broadcast. It was factual. It was not doctored. It was not manipulated. It was not exclusive to ABN TV, the entire event was public and widely aired.
So the question remains: Why single out ABN TV for malicious vilification as though it was the only media platform that covered the event?
*FALSE ALLEGATIONS OF PARTISANSHIP*
Okafor’s attempt to brand me as a partisan “stenographer masquerading as a journalist” is both unfortunate and laughable.
ABN TV is a registered media establishment with operational presence in Abia, Abuja and Lagos, employing professionals committed to ethical journalism. We give every side a voice governing party, opposition and civil society organisations. We give the ordinary man a voice. We report the highly placed and indeed accommodate all shades of opinion.
We do not need political patronage to survive. Our growth in nearly 15 years has been built on credibility and audience trust and not by singing the praise or attacking anyone.
It is therefore reckless and defamatory to insinuate that ABN TV runs “media errands” for any political party. We don’t feed on crumb like those whose known occupation is to parade as image makers of the government, whereas they unwittingly de-market the government.
We are not in anyway perturbed that Okafor’s libelous article gained wide circulation, especially among government officials who posted on their social media platforms, without knowing the real content.
The response from the Chief Press Secretary and Honourable Commissioner for Information when I reached out clearly says it all. They later pulled down the publication and apologized.
This raises a critical concern: How can government communication platforms be used to amplify defamatory materials without proper verification?
This is not only unfair to ABN TV; it exposes the image of the government to reputational risks. This is not the first time same character, Okafor has attempted to escalate issues involving ABN TV.
Last November, when ABN TV reported a verified security incident in Aba involving a soldier, the same individual rushed to label it “fake news.”
Security agencies, including the DSS and the Army, were not pleased with the unnecessary escalation of a factual report. The matter required intervention at high levels, and we were urged to allow the issue to rest in the interest of peace.
We obliged, in good faith. But enough is enough.
Journalism Is Not Personal Warfare. Criticism of media work is welcomed. We are open to corrections where facts are proven wrong.
But personal attacks, name-calling, questioning professional competence and attempts to blackmail media institutions into silence have really crossed the line of decency.
Journalism is not about praise-singing. Journalism is not about opposition warfare. Journalism is not about personal vendetta.
It is about reporting events as they happen.
LET IT BE CLEARLY STATED:
ABN TV did not manipulate any video.
ABN TV did not distort any statement.
ABN TV aired the event live in full.
ABN TV merely extracted highlights as is standard practice.
We will continue to report responsibly. We will continue to cover governance. We will continue to hold public conversations. We will not be intimidated by libelous narratives.
A WORD OF ADVICE
Our dear Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has demonstrated to remain focused in governance. It would be unfortunate for individuals to damage the image of the administration through reckless commentary disguised as loyalty.
Support for government should not translate into hostility toward independent media. Strong governments thrive in environments where professional journalism is respected not attacked.
Final Note: ABN TV is not in competition with any individual. We are in service to the public.
Attempts to tarnish our reputation through defamatory publications will be addressed appropriately, within the confines of the law.
Professional journalism will always outlive propaganda. Those who were there yesterday have given way. Those who are there today, will give way. Journalism will remain the bastion of thriving democracy.
Enough is enough.
– Ifeanyi Okali
*Director, ABN TV & Radio*
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