The Reckless Reporting Of The Living As Dead

BY ISAAC ASABOR *

In the fast-paced world of journalism, especially as the profession has been tarnished by citizen journalism, where every second counts and the race to break the news is never-ending, one of the most unprofessional and wicked practices persists: prematurely declaring the death of a living person. This reckless behaviour not only undermines the credibility of the press but also causes unimaginable emotional distress to the individuals and families involved. The tragic irony of declaring someone dead while he or she is still alive serves as a stark reminder of the power of words and the immense responsibility that comes with using them.

Unquestionably, journalism is a profession founded on truth, accuracy, and the ethical dissemination of information. Informing the public is a serious responsibility that should not be taken lightly. When a news outlet incorrectly reports a person’s death, it is more than just a mistake; it is a breach of trust and an act of extreme cruelty. Imagine the agony of a family reading or hearing about a loved one’s “death” only to find out later that the report was false. The damage is often irreversible, leaving emotional scars that may never completely heal.

Nigeria has experienced several unfortunate incidents in which the living were reported dead, causing widespread confusion and distress. These incidents serve as cautionary tales, highlighting the dire consequences of putting timeliness ahead of accuracy when reporting news.

The recent false report of Senator Ned Nwoko’s death joins the long list of premature obituaries that have plagued Nigerian journalism. In a disturbing trend, several prominent figures have fallen victim to such erroneous reports, which not only cause unnecessary panic but also undermine the credibility of the press. This latest incident, in which Senator Ned Nwoko was falsely declared dead, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unverified information and the importance of journalists upholding the highest standards of accuracy and integrity.

This is not the first time Nigerian media outlets have rushed to publish inaccurate death reports. In January 2024, a female Nollywood actress, Ngozi Ezeonu, was falsely reported to be dead. She responded with a video on her Instagram page, stating, “I am alive and healthy.”

These incidents highlight a larger issue in the industry, in which the rush to break news frequently takes precedence over fact-checking. Such irresponsible journalism can have far-reaching consequences, causing distress to the individuals’ families and harming the media’s reputation.

The recurrence of these fake death reports necessitates a rethinking of journalistic practices in Nigeria. There is an urgent need for media organisations to strengthen editorial controls and prioritise accuracy over speed. In an era where misinformation spreads quickly, the journalist’s role as a gatekeeper of truth is more important than ever. The case of Ned Nwoko should serve as a wake-up call for the Nigerian media to uphold the principles of responsible journalism and prevent such egregious errors from occurring again.

It should be noted in this context that the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria’s first President and a key figure in the country’s struggle for independence, was the victim of a significant media blunder in 1989 when news outlets incorrectly reported his death. The false reports spread quickly, causing widespread mourning throughout the country and even prompting some official announcements. This incident highlighted the dangers of irresponsible journalism, in which the rush to break news resulted in the spread of unverified information. Azikiwe, who was still alive at the time, expressed his displeasure with the premature announcement of his death, which disrupted his life and caused unnecessary distress to his family and supporters.

The false death report of Nnamdi Azikiwe exemplifies the dangers of insufficient fact-checking in journalism. Despite the initial confusion, the media outlets that reported his death were eventually forced to retract their reports and apologise. Azikiwe lived for another seven years before passing away in 1996 at the age of 91. This incident serves as a cautionary tale in the Nigerian media landscape, emphasising the importance of verifying facts, particularly when reporting on sensitive issues such as the death of a public figure.

In 2012, news of the rumoured death of Chief Tony Anenih, a prominent Nigerian politician and former Minister of Works, spread quickly and shocked the nation. It was not long before it was discovered that Chief Anenih was very much alive. The premature report sparked outrage, with many questioning the ethical standards of the media outlets involved.

In a similar vein, the false death of General Ibrahim Babangida in 2017 was fuelled by social media and some mainstream media outlets reporting that the former military ruler had died. The unverified news quickly spread and caused widespread panic. When the truth came out that General Babangida was alive and well, it highlighted the dangers of spreading unverified information.

Also, false reports of Senator David Dafinone’s death in 2010 were eventually debunked, but not before causing significant distress to his family and friends. The incident highlighted the importance of thorough verification before reporting such sensitive information.

In 2020, social media was awash with rumours that veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie had died. The false reports quickly spread across multiple platforms, prompting an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues. However, Edochie later debunked the rumours, prompting many to question the ethics of those who spread false information.

If there is one celebrity alive today who has been reported to have died multiple times, it is Nollywood veteran Olu Jacobs. In 2021, he was reported dead by some mischievous, careless, and unethical internet users who were only interested in click-baiting by reporting his alleged death. But his family refutes the sad news. Soji, the first son of the acting legend, told journalists that his octogenarian father was not dead, as was widely reported online.

Again, in 2024, specifically in June, he was reported to have died for the third time in four years, prompting the family to dispel the rumours by sharing a video with journalists showing Olu Jacobs, though frail, in good spirits while having his beard shaved and engaging in light conversation with his barber.

The video showed the son informing his father (Olu Jacobs) about the death rumours that had circulated online, and the actor appeared stunned. Mr. Jacobs, speaking with QEDNG newspaper, expressed the family’s dissatisfaction with the recurring death rumours that surface each year. He stated that he had received numerous calls from concerned people all over the world and that the situation was annoying and distressing for his family.

These incidents are not isolated, and they highlight a larger issue in the media landscape. The pressure to break news first frequently results in a disregard for journalism’s basic principles of truth, accuracy, and fairness. Journalists and media outlets must remember that their primary responsibility is to inform the public, not to sensationalise or disseminate false information.

The Nigerian Press Council (NPC) and other media regulatory bodies have established clear ethical guidelines: journalists must verify facts before publishing, especially when reporting on sensitive topics like death. However, these guidelines are frequently ignored in the pursuit of clicks, views, and ratings.

To prevent such tragic mistakes from happening again, there must be a concerted effort to prioritise ethical journalism over the race to be first. Media organisations must invest in rigorous fact-checking processes and educate their journalists on the value of accuracy and verification. Furthermore, regulatory bodies should impose harsher penalties on media outlets that use the unethical practice of prematurely declaring people dead.

Furthermore, the rush to report news should never be at the expense of truth and humanity. Falsely reporting someone’s death has far-reaching consequences, both for the individuals involved and for journalism’s overall credibility. As information gatekeepers, journalists are responsible for upholding the highest ethical and integrity standards. Only by doing so can they truly serve the public and maintain the trust required for their role in society.