Journalism Is Not An Interrogation: The Need For Fairness And Professionalism

-By Zik Gbemre

Journalism is a well-respected profession globally and must be treated as such. Journalists play an important role in informing the public, holding those in authority accountable and facilitating meaningful public discourse. However, this responsibility must always be exercised with professionalism, fairness and objectivity.

Rufai Oseni has repeatedly shown what appears to be prejudice in the discharge of his duties as an on-air journalist. His approach to interviews is often unnecessarily aggressive, particularly towards certain guests, creating the impression that he sometimes seeks to argue with or discredit his guests rather than objectively interview them.

As a journalist, you should be neutral and analyse issues without bias. Your duty is to ask questions and allow people to answer them. If Rufai Oseni wants to be a social critic, then he should step away from his role as an anchor on Arise TV and openly operate in that capacity.

He frequently asks numerous questions in quick succession without giving guests reasonable time to adequately respond. An interview should not become an interrogation where the journalist dominates the conversation and prevents the guest from properly explaining their position.

Being assertive and asking difficult questions are important aspects of journalism. However, professionalism requires balance. A journalist must be willing to challenge guests while also being patient enough to listen to their responses. Journalism should be guided by fairness, objectivity and respect for differing opinions, regardless of the personal views of the interviewer.

There is also a broader problem within Nigeria’s media industry that deserves attention. The level of alleged commercial influence and lack of transparency surrounding some national television stations and newspapers is concerning. There is a widespread perception that some media organisations will give greater attention to issues when there is financial backing, while matters without such backing may receive little or no coverage. If a journalist wishes to openly advocate, criticise or campaign on an issue, there is nothing inherently wrong with that. But that role should be distinguished clearly from that of a journalist presenting themselves as a neutral interviewer.

In my view, Reuben Abati represents a more moderate approach to television journalism. That style is closer to what many audiences are accustomed to seeing in established international media environments, where the interviewer can ask difficult and uncomfortable questions without turning the interview into a confrontation.

There have also been high-profile cases in the United States involving prominent television personalities and disputes over their conduct and handling of interviews. Don Lemon’s departure from CNN in 2023, for example, followed a period of controversy surrounding his conduct and comments on air. Chris Cuomo also left CNN under entirely different circumstances. The broader lesson is that major media organisations ultimately have to consider professionalism, credibility and audience trust when assessing the conduct of their presenters.

You do not speak merely to impress an audience. Your ability to ask the right questions, listen carefully and patiently allow people to respond is what makes a good journalist. The best journalists are not necessarily those who appear the most aggressive when attacking governments, politicians or individuals. They are those who know how to ask incisive questions, challenge inconsistencies and still give their guests a fair opportunity to answer.

A journalist also needs to be professional enough to allow a guest to answer the question that has been asked. If you already believe you know the answer, there is little value in asking the question simply to interrupt the person or impose your own position. Why invite someone onto a programme if you have no genuine interest in hearing their explanation? An interview should be a platform for questions, answers, clarification and informed debate—not merely an opportunity for the interviewer to make a predetermined point.

Rufai Oseni needs to demonstrate greater professionalism in this regard. His approach, at times, gives the impression that the objective is more about producing entertaining television and satisfying a particular audience than practising balanced and professional journalism. Entertainment may have its place in broadcasting, but it should not come at the expense of the fundamental principles of journalism.

Media organisations also depend heavily on public trust. The contrasting fortunes of major American cable news networks such as CNN and Fox News demonstrate how audience loyalty, editorial positioning and the way programmes are presented can influence the relationship between a network and its viewers. Whether one agrees with a particular network or not, trust is built over time through consistency, credibility and the quality of journalism presented to the public.

I have no interest in what I consider to be his style of journalism or what I perceive as the cheap publicity that sometimes accompanies it. My criticism is therefore not based on personal animosity, but on my view of what journalism should represent.

Journalism is a serious profession. It should inform, interrogate power and hold people accountable, but it should also listen. A journalist should not become the story. The questions should be strong enough to expose weaknesses in an argument without the journalist having to shout down the person being interviewed.

The integrity and reputation of journalism must be protected. Those entrusted with the responsibility of informing the public must conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the high standards, fairness and respect that the profession deserves.

Zik Gbemre
September 14,2026

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