An interesting statement was credited to Senator David
Mark last week and I quote him:
“Social media has become a threat to the ethics of
media practice and good governance because of its accessibility and absolute
freedom. Every freedom carries a responsibility. Even in advanced democracies,
where we all agree that good governance is practiced, there is no absolute
freedom. I therefore believe that there must be a measure to check the negative
tendencies of the social media in our country.” – Senator David Mark, Senate
President at the Retreat on the Role of the Media and Good Governance in
Nigeria, held in Umuahia, Abia State, on Thursday, July 26, 2012.
My
response
Does the senate president even realise that the
social media does not thrive in a vacuum at all? Do we need to remind him that
the social media thrives on the same content they feed us with and if they want
only its positive trend, then they should be ready to allow truth and justice
prevail?
On a second thought, so he is afraid we help spread
the news of their corrupt practices and unfair policies.....He is afraid if
this continues, their party will eventually crumble and will be sent into
obscurity....He is afraid the common man they used NTA news to deceive will now
have access to the TRUTH as its spreading like wild fire.......He is afraid for
his political career as deceit will no longer be used in coining the people to
act out their craftily written script.......He has just started!....Is he
afraid his autobiography will carry how he alongside some others succeeded in the
mass looting of our treasury such that the word ‘lootocracy’ have now been
birthed into the Nigerian dictionary? Is he apprehensive that we will carve out
his infamous story and circulate it to the nook and cranny of Nigeria if he
dare contest for presidency which we know to be his ultimate goal? Is he scared
his story will be told amongst the next generation of history students when
speaking about the turbulence this country went through?
If he had done well to fall into the good books of
history, then he won’t be so afraid such that he will utter a statement that
will further get Nigerians to research into his history with the intent of
pouring out more venom but alas that is what he has succeeded in doing!
They
want us to change our attitude of exposing the weak, incompetent inconsiderate,
selfish, corrupt and callous leaders we have to the whole world, yet they don’t
want to change their attitude of stealing from the National treasury thereby
impoverishing the same people they are there to serve. They won’t stop converting
our common benefits into personal use neither will they allow the rule of law
to prevail. What an unfair balance!
And a piece of advice for Senator David Mark: Those in the limelight who do not wish to be in the
spotlight of social media should retire to their village. So Senator David Mark
can do the same in one of his homes in Benue, Ghana, Caribbean, US, Belize, the
UK, Ireland etc.
I thought it was the same social media they rode on
during the last presidential election to send a false message of hope to the
fainting Nigerian? The same social media they never realised was a two edged
sword which can pierce either way depending on the direction its being swung.
Now that it is being used to pierce their conscience, penetrating deep even
their soul and spirit, joints and marrow whilst judging their heart, they
cannot come to accept the deep reality of this tool and its potency.
Occupy Nigeria got them understanding the other edged
sword of the media as it was used in mobilizing the hungry and angry Nigerians
whilst also providing them a platform to
make their grievances known by the way of a memorable protest. Now that it
doesn’t seem to favour them, they want it “caged”.
If anyone knows how to reach them, please tell them the
social media either they like it or not has come to stay.....Chikena!
Follow on twitter@ifeoluwaleo007
No comments:
Post a Comment