Listening to the news every morning is a family tradition in my home since my parents love to always catch up with every happening in the country and abroad. It was an annoying thing to start my day with but along the line, I started sitting with my dad to listen. While listening, I get to learn about the history of the country since my dad loves to always trace back issues to the source. I didn't stop at listening to the news on the radio, I became obsessed with watching newscasters not just because of the news but because of how they dress and compose themselves.
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I imitated the presenters many times but a lot changed when I became more sensible because not everything we hear from the media is true. I don't have problems with the newscasters or presenters because they are just employees but don't they know the truth as well? I ask this question because sometimes they also go to lengths to defend fake news and it's unfair to deceive people who depend on you for information about things happening in society.
My interest in becoming a media person vanished because I can't stand people being lied to when I know the truth, it would be difficult for me to cope which might get me into trouble. My uncle once told me that I could be the change and hope of the media and it really made me laugh because it wouldn't cost them anything to kick me out of the system. Many Nigerians will remember what they have done to some media personnel who tried upholding the truth, some were implicated and sent to jail until they dance to the tune of those who are feeding the people with false information.
As youths, it's easier for many of us to dig for the truth after surfing the internet but what happens to our parents who barely know how to dig like we will do. The media keep offloading lies and they keep accepting it because they don't know if it's a lie or not.
The attack on the military recently is some part of the country is one of the things the media confused a lot people about and at the moment I can't even tell which is true. The media reported that some civilians were the mastermind of the attack while in some news, it was said that some terrorist were behind everything.
Who should we believe? This is the question Nigerians are asking but aren't getting answers. Whenever an incident happens, there are always different stories which will lead to serious confusion among people.
The media is expected to be a reliable source of information in every country because they play a vital part when it has to do with broadcasting and reporting everything happening in the country but it's the other way around. The media have lost their integrity not just in Nigeria but in different parts of the world, we all are seeing the manipulation in the news from the wars in Gaza, Israel, Russia and other parts of the world.
The media can't be completely trusted and we have to be careful of what we choose to believe to prevent making wrong judgement or hating people who we should love.
Thanks for reading and I am using this opportunity to invite you to participate in the Inleo monthly prompt