Who the Hell Exactly Is Rufai Oseni? -By Kunle Rasheed

I am more than convinced that no properly trained journalist—whether in print or electronic media—would endorse the brand of journalism practiced by Rufai Oseni of Arise News Channel, except those who also allow sentiments and emotions to direct their thought process. It is very difficult to place his style within the ethics and ideals that define true journalism.

Rufai often projects himself as a self-appointed authority, a “lord of the screen,” whose approach borders on arrogance rather than professionalism. This, unfortunately, is damaging to a profession many of us hold in high esteem. His manner of engagement not only undermines journalistic decorum but also erodes public trust in credible reporting and fair analysis.

It is disheartening to see a journalist who should represent objectivity and balance display such personal bias and condescension toward interview subjects. The incident in his recent interview with the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, where he was clearly out of his depth on the issue at stake, was another example of misplaced confidence masquerading as “empirical fact.”

Journalism is not a courtroom, and no anchor should assume the role of judge. Power and popularity should never replace professionalism and humility. Some of the stations that once enjoyed massive viewership—such as AIT—have seen their dominance fade. Not that their influence has evaporated, but it has no doubt waned, unlike what it was before. That should serve as a reminder that public trust must be earned and maintained, not taken for granted.

This Lilliputian had the effrontery to tell an elder and a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to keep quiet—all in the name of “doing his job.”

Rufai Oseni still has the chance to retrace his steps and align himself once more with the ethics of truth, fairness, and respect—values that are the soul of journalism.