DR. THOMAS-WILSON IKUBESE OPEN LETTER ON PROFESSIONALISM TO THE MANAGEMENT OF FRESH 102.9 FM AKURE
By Dupson Collins, 8th Sept, 2024
The Chief Medical Director of Sckye Hospital in Akure Ondo State, Dr. Thomas-Wilson Ikubese has written an open letter to the management of Fresh 102.9 FM, a radio station in Akure on the mode of their public engagement with the callers on the station Phone -in Programme.
The former presidential asipirant in his official Facebook page harps on professionalism by the presenter handled the political program of the station: Below is the detail of the letter;
“OPEN LETTER TO THE MANAGEMENT OF FRESH 102.9 FM AKURE”
Today, between 5.00 pm and 6.00 pm, a political program was hosted on your station, wherein Mr Allen Sowore, SSA to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Strategic Communication was the guest.
He addressed the issue of the newly appointed SAs, SSAs and spoke copiously on the programs of the state government and what the people of Ondo state should expect in the days ahead.
Expectedly as a political appointee, he spoke in favour of his principal.
At a point, the studio call line was thrown open for listeners to air their opinions on the subject matter.
As expected, while some spoke in favour of the position canvassed by Mr Sowore, others disagreed with him, especially on the appointment of over three hundred aids by Mr Governor.
One thing that however became obvious in the course of the program was that callers who disagreed with the position of Mr Sowore were quickly cut off, even before they ended their submissions.
So obvious was it that a caller pointed this out. Even that caller was cut off midway!
If Fresh 102.9 Fm were to be a state-owned media outfit, one would probably understand the reason for this stance. Conversely however, it is a private station owned by Dr Yinka Ayefele, the renowned Juju Gospel Musician.
I expect the management of Fresh 102.9 FM to understand the difference between a political public relations (PR) program and an open current affairs program.
In the former, only pro-government figures are invited to the studio and allowed to make submissions without opening the phone lines to members of the public. This way, dissenting voices are not heard.
In the latter, persons with opposing views are either invited physically to the studio alongside the government functionaries, or allowed to freely air their opinions via phone calls to the program, in the spirit of equity. In this case, the responsibility of the host is to ensure decorum and civility on the part of every contributor.
It was therefore shocking, that your studio adopted the latter format and was unreceptive of opposing views.
By your action, your listeners might be tempted to conclude that the state government is intolerant of opposing views, thus watering down the submission of Mr Sowore on the show, working contrary to the interest of Mr Governor thereby!
This action also portrays your station as unprofessional and biased, an image that might naturally take you out of reckoning, when credible media outfits in Ondo state are mentioned.
I consider it expedient to put down my observation on the subject matter, because the gubernatorial election in the state is just around the corner and your station will be hosting various political actors in the coming days.
For any of such programs, be certain of what format you wish to adopt and stick to the rules thereby in the interest of our dear Sunshine state.
I wish your team the best in the discharge of your duty.
Thomas-Wilson Ikubese
