Provocative Journalism or Public Service? Segun Showunmi to Arise TV’s Rufai Oseni: “This Madness Must Stop”
A fresh debate on the limits of press freedom and professional conduct in Nigerian broadcasting has been ignited, following strong criticisms from a prominent political figure.
Otunba Segun Showunmi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has launched a scathing attack against Arise TV and one of its most prominent anchors, Rufai Oseni. The criticism, levelled via a lengthy social media post, accuses Oseni of consistently abandoning journalistic professionalism in favour of outright provocation.
Rufai Oseni, known for his direct and often uncompromising interviewing style, has built a reputation for holding powerful guests to account. His segments frequently generate significant public discourse, with many viewers praising his audacity. However, critics argue that his approach sometimes crosses the line from rigorous questioning into partisan aggression.
“This Madness Must Stop”: Showunmi’s Indictment
In his post, Showunmi did not mince words, calling for immediate intervention from both Arise TV’s management and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
“When television anchors abandon professionalism for provocation, it becomes the duty of the station’s management to call them to order,” Showunmi stated. “But when that failure becomes routine, the National Broadcasting Commission must step in.”
He sharply distinguished between the freedom afforded to citizen journalists on personal podcasts and the responsibility he believes is required of a licensed national broadcaster like Arise TV.
The PDP member’s most forceful comments were reserved for Oseni’s specific conduct. “This madness must stop. Arise TV and its anchor, Rufai, have crossed too many lines,” he wrote. “They cannot continue to constitute themselves into self-appointed prosecutors, judges, and enemies of the state under the guise of journalism.”
He concluded with a warning: “There is a difference between questioning power and attacking the very idea of order.”
Read Segun’s Full Statement Below:
So recently PDP member and advocate Segun Showunmi reacted to Rufai Seni Journalism on live TV. According to him Rufai was consistently going out of place when doing his Journalism and must be called to order. Rufai is known for his outspoken nature and audacity in journalism on Arise TV. He has raised eyebrows following his analysis which is many believes he criticizes especially on politician, but constructively
Here is what Segun Showunmi said in reaction to Rufai’s alleged provocative Journalism
When television anchors abandon professionalism for provocation, it becomes the duty of the station’s management to call them to order. But when that failure becomes routine, the National Broadcasting Commission must step in. What can be excused from a citizen’s podcast cannot, and must not, be tolerated from a licensed national broadcaster.
This madness must stop. Arise TV and its anchor, Rufai, have crossed too many lines. They cannot continue to constitute themselves into self-appointed prosecutors, judges, and enemies of the state under the guise of journalism. There is a difference between questioning power and attacking the very idea of order.
The supervising Ministry of Information must not remain a bystander while citizens invited in good faith are subjected to insult, rudeness, partisan aggression, and empty intellectual showmanship. The media must enlighten, not incite. It must inform, not inflame.
Let it be clear: freedom of expression is not freedom to abuse. Regulation is not repression it is the defence of sanity and national interest. The time has come to draw the line.
Otunba Segun Showunmi
The Alternative Movement.
The Core of the Controversy: Where is the Line?
This incident touches on a perennial tension in vibrant democracies: where does tough, accountability journalism end and unprofessional incitement begin?
Supporters of Rufai Oseni are likely to view Showunmi’s comments as an attempt to stifle a critical voice and shield politicians from uncomfortable scrutiny. They would argue that Oseni’s style, while abrasive, is a necessary antidote to the often-evasive nature of political discourse.
Conversely, those who share Showunmi’s perspective might contend that certain media personalities increasingly prioritise dramatic, viral moments over substantive enlightenment. The accusation of “empty intellectual showmanship” suggests a belief that the theatrics of interrogation are sometimes valued more than the information gleaned from it.
A Nation’s Divided Audience
The public reaction to such clashes is typically split. A segment of the audience, weary of perceived bias and sensationalism, will echo Showunmi’s call for the NBC to “defend sanity and national interest.”
Meanwhile, free speech advocates will likely be alarmed by the invocation of state regulation. They will argue that in a healthy democracy, the “marketplace of ideas” – where the public decides which voices to trust – is a far better regulator than government intervention, which can be wielded as a tool for repression.
As the dust settles on this latest exchange, the central question remains unanswered for many Nigerians: Is Rufai Oseni the tenacious journalist the public deserves, or has he indeed become the story himself, as Segun Showunmi claims? The debate, much like the broadcasts in question, shows no sign of cooling down.
What do you think? Is Segun Showunmi right to call for regulation, or is this a dangerous path toward silencing a critical press?
