lasuconscience
The more you look, the less you see. Or maybe the more you look, the more you are amazed. The more you look, the more you wonder if you are also not thinking straight.
Lagos State University is a place filled with unexpected series of drama, made even more electrifying when the Students’ Union is at the centre. And they never seem to cease.
On Saturday, 8th November, the Lagos State University Students’ Union Student Parliament Council (LASUSU-SPC) rolled out a hypothesis from their lab to the “accredited media organizations” without proper measurements or procedures. Whether the broadcast was an oversight on the part of the Chairman of the House and the Speaker, or a bid to test if their hypothesis was good enough to progress to the next stage of observation and experimentation, remains confusing.
According to the broadcast sent from the office of the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Special Duties, in the person of Gabriel Theresa:
“Dear Esteemed Media Representatives, In line with the directive of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ogunbiyi Akorede, the 36th House Committee on Information, Strategy and Special Duties hereby issues this correspondence to all media organizations covering LASUSU parliamentary activities.
Henceforth, any media organization seeking to observe and publish coverage of parliamentary sittings is required to submit a formal correspondence to the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Special Duties for official approval. This directive is in accordance with the provisions of SO 25 of the LASUSU Standing Order,” a part of the statement read.
The above quote reflects a huge disrespect and blatant disregard for all media organizations on campus. Firstly, it appears that the House and the SPC at large are unlearned or ignorant on matters of the media; whichever the case, we will ensure to provide some schooling — this is where you take your notes for better understanding:
(1). In your broadcast, your address was to “All accredited media houses.” According to the Oxford Dictionary, “accredited” means officially recognized or authorized. This alone renders the entire broadcast null and void.
(2). The accredited media houses are recognized under Lagos State University, not under the Lagos State University Students’ Union. The Student Union is an independent body under the school, so is LASU Conscience and all other campus media organizations. Don’t you think this is an abuse of power, bordering on dictatorship?
(3.) LASU Conscience is a sovereign and independent media organization on campus, subject only to the constitution of the school and that of the Republic of Nigeria, and in no way will LASU Conscience bow to any other law.
Now that you’ve received some schooling, we hope this will not be repeated.
Back to the main topic, it is both interesting and appalling that this derogatory broadcast was sent from the office of the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Special Duties and the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ogunbiyi Akorede, who happens to be a student of Communication from the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies. How could such matters not be communicated in a more respectful manner? And again, what have you learned about press freedom over the years? Does this mean we should now be more concerned of your academic knowledge or by what comes out of your office as a political leader?
According to the latter part of the broadcast:
“This measure follows prior instances where media outlets published unverified or defamatory information concerning parliamentary proceedings. Moving forward, no media personnel or organization shall be permitted to observe, draft, or publish reports relating to parliamentary sittings without obtaining prior written approval from the committee.
Any attempt to contravene this directive shall constitute a breach of SO 25 of the LASUSU Constitution, and the responsible party shall be held liable for violating constitutional provisions.”
The question here is: what are these defamatory reports about you? Why didn’t you take legal action when such reports allegedly occurred? A just person does not remain silent when accused of wrongdoing! And where are the alleged contents? Why are we seeing only a broadcast without evidence? Perhaps this is merely a decoy to avoid accountability. Everyone claims to love accountability until it is their turn to be held accountable.
Furthermore, according to the broadcast:
“The Committee remains committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and responsible communication within the LASU community. We trust that all media partners will adhere to this policy and continue to uphold the ethics of professional reporting.”
What is accountability if it can’t be checked or controlled by another person? We all want accountability, but demanding accountability from a reporter who operates according to the rules of the House is not true accountability. It is a move towards alliance, conspiracy, and conformity of media houses with the House. This will not serve accountability.
LASU Conscience stands for truth and facts and will not conform. We demand real accountability, and it must be given.
Our stance is guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 Section 22: “The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this Chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.”
Section 39(1): “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”
The Constitution of the Lagos State University Students’ Union and the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Special Duties is bound by this, and media houses will not follow directives that contravene these rights.
In response to the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Special Duties, Gabriel Theresa; LASU Conscience and other media organizations will not comply with this directive. Legal action will be taken if the directive is not withdrawn.
