RUFAI OSENI OF ARISE TV MORNING SHOW REVEALED By Prof Obiaraeri, N.O.

Rufai Oseni, who is he? This post is not about his age, place of birth or ethnic group, academic qualifications, marital status, or net worth. It is about his emerging brand in the media, particularly in the television space.

Rufai Oseni, one of the anchors of MORNING SHOW on ARISE TV is an adversarial journalist. He is in a class and doing very well at it. For those who may care to know, adversarial journalism “refers to a kind of journalism or a journalistic role where the journalist adopts an oppositional and combative style of reporting and interviewing. The goal of adversarial journalism is to reveal supposed wrongdoings of actors under investigation.”

By dint of hard work and consistent consistency, Rufai is fast becoming a household name in Nigeria, media-wise. When in his element, he is brutally frank and does not need to be compared with anyone else. He is carving a niche for himself. Everyone has his or her own style.

Many in the conservative school would lampoon and pillory Rufai as combative and controversial but that is good for advocacy journalism. Before Rufai is either unjustly vilified or misunderstood, let’s not forget that adversarial journalism is said to refer to “a form of reporting in which the media adopt a skeptical or even hostile posture toward the government and public officials.” 

Journalism is dynamic just like life is too. Many roads lead to the bush. Journalism is a wide canvas. Combative journalism is one of the many ways to investigate, inform, enlighten, and entertain. Rufai does not have to use anyone else’s manual as long as he is within the law and armed with facts- the twin impeccable golden rules of journalism.

Whether Rufai is not classified as a journalist and summarily dismissed as an entertainer or bitter interrogator by his critics, the fear of Rufai on set by any guest is the beginning of wisdom. He is vigorous and passionate about what he does without caring to be politically correct.

Alas, Rufai is bringing something new to the media table as an adversarial journalist. He would not let unprepared guests run away with preconceived mouth-watering lies, fibs, or deliberate deceits and or concoctions.

Rufai would not allow hired publicists to come as guests on TV to deceive the listening or viewing public. His line of rejoinder before throwing punchy questions would always make any ill-prepared guest to stutter in fright. Rufai would not be intimidated either. He is respectful but can receive as much as he can give. He knows that adversarial journalism is “investigative journalism done in an antagonistic way”. In doing his work, Rufai can antagonize but within lawful and respectful boundaries.

Some guests do not realize that a journalist, an anchor, or a presenter is not bereft of rights. Media men and women deserve to be respected. That an anchor or interviewer is asking questions from guests does not mean that he or she is unknowing or civilly dead. 

At all material times, a guest or interviewee should be accorded the highest form of respect and dignity by the anchor person. However, a condescending, indecorous cantankerous, halting, untruthful, prevaricating guest must never be treated with undeserving candor or respect by the anchor or presenter. Respect begets respect. Period!

In adversarial journalism, Rufai is it. You may not like him but his incisive questioning style on TV has won him many fans, admirers, and followers who now see him as the People’s Advocate on Television. Rufai Oseni is a work in progress. He is yet to be revealed. A new normal is possible!

Disclaimer: 

The opinions and views expressed in this write-up are entirely those of the Writer(s). They do not reflect the opinions and views of the Publisher (Nze Ikay’s Blog) or any of its employees. The designations employed in this publication and the presentation of materials herein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever of the Publisher (Nze Ikay’s Blog) or its employees concerning the legal status of any country, its authority, area or territory or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. Equally, the sketches, images, pictures and videos are gotten from the public domain.