Press Council, The Polytechnic, Ibadan logo
Once, they say, is a coincidence or mistake, but twice becomes an attack - that is, an intentional action - exactly how one will describe The Press Council's latest publication.
It is sadly surprising how the institution's topmost news body has fallen from its status as a source of legit information to a peddler of fake news and architect of misinformation. Its latest publication, "Mass Communication Department, where patience mourns," makes one wonder whether the Council still has any iota of journalism left in her.
The council, in its report, made several unsubstantiated accusations without providing a single piece of evidence as backup. They also neglected the principle of balance by not allowing the accused parties to comment on the issue before publication.
Ascom Press, in the bid to verify the claims, embarked on an investigation, which led to a series of interview sessions with students of the classes mentioned in the publication.
In its investigation, Ascom Press discovered that contrary to The Press Council's claims, students are not being forced to make any payment whatsoever.
The investigation however led to a study of the NBTE Act which explicitly states the board's role in ensuring practicals are undertaken.
An excerpt from the NBTE establishment Act 1977 and amendment decree 8 1993
Per NBTE recommendations, it is expedient for every student to engage in practical and subsequently create media products as evidence to support their learnings. However, given the current Nigerian economic situation, it would be a serious financial burden for students to execute the projects individually. Hence the suggestion that the students execute the projects as a group.
As a father himself, Mr. Olusoji Olatunji (KOB) allowed the students to decide within themselves how much they were willing to contribute. This Ascom Press investigation revealed that the lecturer had not mandated any payment, nor did he describe it as a criterion for passing his course.
This decision-making power led the students to create a 13-man committee to manage the project.
A member of the committee, Adewale Gbolahan, while speaking to ASCOM Press said that the committee initially came up with the idea of 2,500 considering the project's huge size. However, upon tabling the suggested amount to the Lecturer in charge, he asked us to reduce it to 1,000 naira so that it won't be too much of a burden to the students, Gbolahan added.
Oluwole Kadelu, another member of the HND 1 Advert Project committee, told Ascom Press that the said project was scheduled to begin last Friday but was delayed due to some logistical reasons. Oluwole even quoted the lecturer as saying he would not force anyone to make any payment.
In a similar interview conducted with the Ascom President, Comrade Azeez Kehinde, a member of the 7-man advert project committee created in the last session, claimed that the said project from the previous session was executed. Some of the customized items are at the department, while others have been sent to their respective destinations as planned. He added that interested parties could visit the department anytime to verify his claims.
He further reiterated that when students embark on these sorts of practicals, the lecturers usually give them decision-making power. Back then, he asked us to choose amongst ourselves a committee to manage the project, and we formed a 7-man committee; I'm also sure the same thing happened in HND 1, Kehinde said.
However, on the issue of practical sessions, it is saddening that the revered Press Council decided to negate all visible evidence to attack and soil the department's name.
Recall that the current HND 2 had, in the previous session, held a live broadcast session in their classroom. A feat that most experts would agree was difficult, but the students achieved it with the department's backing.
The broadcast session even featured the institution's registrar, Mrs. M.T. Fawale as a guest on one of the shows. More details of the live broadcast session can be found here.
According to several Mass Comm students, this is not the only practical project they have embarked upon. The publication of the PolyRays magazine is another evidence that the students indeed undertake practicals.
The most recent practical is a newspaper publication made by some Part-Time students.
How the Press Council has neglected this evidence makes one wonder if this attack is sponsored.
Commenting on the issue of Merchandise, the Ascom President said that it was and will never be made compulsory for anyone. Justifying the need for the wear, Comr. Azeez said it is to support the institution's vision of curbing indecent dressing. He, however, added that the merchandise sales, alongside payment for other dues, had been suspended following the embargo on student activities by the management.
With the world currently battling a Fake News pandemic, one would've hoped the Press Council, as a breeding ground for campus journalists, would join the fight, but the reverse is the case.
A close look at the said publication shows how much it reeks of misinformation, popularly described as fake news. The council has once again violated every ethical and professional standard of journalism by putting out unsubstantiated accusations. And as a result, it insulted the respected journalism field.
Consequently, it is hoped that the Press Council would lace its future publications with proven facts and equal evidence to support whatever her claims.
