“If you give bad food to your stomach, it drums for you to dance” – African proverb.
Most of us knew the documentary was the odd one among Manasseh’s journalistic works. All impartial persons knew it was his worst work yet as a journalist. Even his colleagues at Joy FM knew it was sensational and full of half truths and conjecture. So the verdict of the National Media Commission (NMC) on his militia documentary was not surprising at all.
As I wrote in the piece “We joke too much in this country”, I had to cancel an appointment with a friend that fateful Thursday so I could watch Manasseh’s well advertised exposé. I was virtually on the edge of my seat when the documentary started. By the 10th minute when the advertised gun-wielding masked militia had still not appeared on the screen, I told myself perhaps Manasseh was saving the best for the last.
Indeed, I was both relieved and disappointed at the end. Although I was disappointed in Manasseh for the deliberate distortions and pure mendacity, I was also relieved that there were no militias in the documentary as the promo sought to portray.
It was a waste of my precious 20 minutes because what I saw in the documentary did not come close to the word ‘militia’. Umaru Sanda of Citi FM felt same as clearly mentioned in his write-up titled, ” Why oh why, my brother Manasseh?” Many others also expressed their disappointment publicly. So the NMC’s verdict is only a confirmation of what we already knew.
I’m particularly glad that, after the NMC verdict, the likes of Paul Adom Otchere have publicly called a spade by its real name, not caring whose ox was gored. Many were those who subsequently expected Manasseh and his employers to do the honorable thing by apologizing to the Nana Dee government. Such a noble action would have ended the matter.
But recalcitrant Manasseh has refused to do that and I’m not surprised because I saw it coming. He may be the son of a poor watchman, but the few successes he has chalked in his career have made him somewhat arrogant. Indeed, anyone who has studied little psychology can perceive pride in his speech and writing.
I knew the all-knowing Manasseh would never accept the NMC report. Indeed, he has never been wrong since becoming a journalist. He is the epitome of wisdom so he expects others to accept his criticism but is not ready to accept same from others.
Few days after the NMC report was released, Manasseh wrote on his Facebook wall that his website was under attack. Isn’t it curious that the imminent attack was no longer on his person but his website? I find it even more curious that a journalist who only few weeks ago was said to be under security protection is now all over the place singing like a canary bird. Kwaku Ananse stories indeed!
Yes I’m disappointed in Manasseh, but I’m even more disappointed with Joy FM, his media outfit. I thought they knew better than engaging in media ‘footsoldierism’. How many times haven’t we heard Evans Mensah and his ilk condemning party footsoldiers for supporting their members blindly? Are they not exhibiting the same trait?
In their desperation to cover-up their shame, Evans and his colleagues have started a campaign in defense of media freedom – apparently hoping to make government look bad in the public eye. But in their folly, they have forgotten that the best way to guarantee media freedom is for journalists to respect their own ethics and the rights of others. They cannot blatantly flout their own ethics, promote irresponsible journalism and then scream ‘protect media freedom’.
Obviously, their call for media freedom is not, and cannot, be a sincere one. If it were, they would first apologize for the irresponsible militia documentary in order to promote responsible journalism. Indeed, the biggest threat to media freedom is irresponsible journalism and media footsoldierism. And I bet you Manasseh and his colleagues know that more than I do!
My unsolicited advice to them is to tread cautiously because “a bad cook also has his or her share of the bad food”. Our elders are wise indeed!
See you next week for another interesting konkonsa, Deo volente!