Thread by @RGAMeyer

Woke up this morning, remembered that:
My allegiance is to JOURNALISM - it comes even before family.
An "autopsy" of the Dangote #Coronavirus story.

1. It should have been labelled OPINION.
2. I'm VERY relieved it was not on a major publication - there's hope.
Here's why:

Paragraph 2: “I initially expected this to be yet another story of a Nigerian corporate taking liberties with the lax regulatory environment to put its own interests first while flouting rules & putting people in danger.”
This subjective narrative quickly lowers the integrity of

...the writer& report, suggesting they approached the story with bias.
Holding this view is not an issue, until you put it in a story:

That is not expressly noted as an opinion piece,
That is about a sensitive national/public security (health) matter...

Mainly, this view has no place because it is not backed by anything a tangible source has said, or alluded to.
Also, this paragraph would be valid if: “driven by a perfect storm of incompetent governance, crass politicking, ignorance&corporate insularity,” were source quotes.

This paragraph, early on in the story is where elements of creating panic and sensationalism can be pinned on any writer.
Subtitle 1: To refer to an individual by their nationality borders on discrimination, particularly when it is about a disease they simply got in a pandemic.

Calling an innocent patient by their nationality can be misconstrued. It is in the same WhatsApp group as those targeting Chinese people–highly unprofessional. Referring to the suspected patient as a Pipe-fitter would be enough.
Am I discriminating? is a question every1 must ask

Paragraph 4: Showing the identity AND posting the LinkedIn profile of a doctor who (by all accounts in this story) did their job to the letter does not sit well for two reasons:
Pasting the LinkedIn profile of an innocent person exposes them to both praise and ridicule and ...

...none of this is within the control of writers–once put online, the individual can be subject to whatever, by the audience. Second reason: The individual could then sue& would have strong grounds – they did their jobs, yet are suddenly the star in a story about a...

..."Coronavirus scandal” that could have implications for their future employability.
What writers must realise is: when you publish online, you immediately expose yourself to adjudication in all countries and territories WORLDWIDE.

So, it doesn’t matter your nationality – it is the nationality of the person suing you and how far they intend to say he news spread to their primary place f residence and abode. That’s all it takes to cook you and whatever organisation you write for. Remember this as you report

Paragraph 7: The FACT is Dangote broke no laws by just starting to install a scanner, & the report doesn’t show that, lacking context & balance. Usually, best practise is to throw this question back to the “source,” write in their response, & also point out in a few words that..

there is no express law mandating temperature scanners in Nigeria. For starters, we know that these scanners can be wrong and some people are asymptomatic.

Subtitle 2: Paragraphs 2 and 3
These could do with quotes from the source, because as before, unless it is...

...expressly an opinion piece, then sentences that say officials want to be governors, be in front of every camera etc should be backed by links or sources.
While things like “this petty clash of egos is now everybody’s problem” basically have no place here.
No need to add it.

Last paragraph: The claims of “private corporations are managing the health crisis on their own, possibly worsening it. The government at state and federal levels are broke and under-resourced” provided perfect opportunity to upgrade the story with links. This was sadly not done.

In general, if your story doesn’t have links to back it up, solid named sources or extensively quoted sources, it becomes a problem and trust is shaky. The quickest way readers decide to read/trust is if there are links, quotes, etc. Any story without these is basically blogging

.Which brings me to LAST SENTENCE: “Nigerians once again, are on their own.”
This is panic-inducing, & with no source attribution, it is the opinion of the writer.
The thing is: DECIDE what this piece should be: are you writing opinion or news? A feature or satire?
Any is valid.

Unfortunately this is not a news article, or investigative journalism – no apologies to anyone desperate to call themselves or their friends investigative journalists.
The least we owe those dying for doing journalism the right way is to PUT IN THE WORK, not throw it to the dogs

My unsolicited advice for anyone who wants to do journalism?
In 2020 you cannot get away without knowing elements of media law and rights of those you report on – the same way journalists now have to have different skills.

For instance, do you know under “jigsaw identification” defense, the patient referred to can argue that despite the redaction of some details, the other hints provided in the article can harm him and he seeks redress?
Best to get training–return to school, stay in school or...

...do short courses…apply yourself, so you won’t have to lower profession.
There is a reason we're asked to accept cookies or not. These days, releasing people’s information and opening them up to ridicule or harm can mean your organisation will be held liable, and...

...it will not be a matter of whether you can afford to pay or not, whether you can get away with not coming to court or not – your name will be in a court record and will create problems for you down the line.
better to know your way so you do work that will stand up ANYWHERE

Bottom-line is:
Coronavirus is too much of a global, national threat to use mass media to induce panic, no matter how well-intentioned it started as.
Be clear and fair.
Dear journalist, the more responsible you get, the greater your journalism will be.
Trust me on this, ok?😘

PS: Anyone is free to take this as they wish.

Just because y’all have sensitive nipples, doesn't mean I shouldn't make use of my clamp innit.