Once an elderly man told me, “Men discuss issues while boys discuss people.” Since the publication of a news story on Bush Chicken site under the caption, “Several Issues Raised at OLM Board Joint Meeting, Martha Sinoe still Northern Regional VP of ULAA,” Mr. Abdullah Kiatamba, co-chairman of the Board of OLM have been lobbying for the story to be retracted from Bush Chicken web site for what he called the “Good of the community.”
Since this effort did not succeed it is now believed that he has chosen to discuss people using fake names instead of discussing the content of the news story and possibly providing a rebuttal as it has been repeatedly suggested.
As Managing Editor of Bush Chicken I find it difficult to remain silent on the attack on the magazine and its executives. Since the sleepless nights of lobbying by Mr. Kiatamba has failed and the story is still running, he has chosen to do what many civil people would refer to as hitting below the belt instead of rebutting to a news story.
In a letter bearing the names of Mr. Gboyee Seeyon and Writhers Nyenie-Wea, sent to me from the email address of Mr. Kiatamba, he said, “In the story, Mr. Peabody, a self-Proclaimed Journalist, woefully created imaginary issues which he asserted were discussed at the August 5th 2006 joint Board and Executive Committee meeting.”
What is not clear is when did he, Mr. Kiatamba, an ex-Executive of Bush Chicken who has always contributed to the news reporting of Bush Chicken from sources closest to OLM, know that the Founder, President/CEO of Bush Chicken is a self-proclaimed Journalist? Had the story been retracted, would Mr. Kiatamba still refer to Mr. Peabody as “Self-Proclaimed Journalist?”
In the letter, Mr. Kiatamba, referred to the story as poorly written, however, it must be made known that prior to the failed lobby, he has always bestowed praises on the executive of Bush Chicken. I would like to call on Mr. Kiatamba to reconsider his decision to play a very dangerous game that may not augur well for his character in the community. The news story in question, like many other issues in our community must not be discussed from a vindictive point and stooping to the creation of fake names.
It is important to note that Bush Chicken, a vital news organ in the community will always go after stories making news in the community and report it without fear or favor. Bush Chicken has no intention of personally attacking individuals or digging trash on people’s past and present lives, but to report news that will bring awareness to activities in the immigrant communities. Bush Chicken refuses to be reduced to a punching bag for any individual or group.
As I stated to Mr. Kiatamba and Seeyon in a telephone conversation, Bush Chicken will willingly publish a rebuttal from OLM that is free of personal attack and profanity that will address the content of the news story in question. Like in the words of my elderly friend, let us be men enough to discuss the issues and stop being boys who will discuss people. Until then Bush Chicken stand by the entire content of the story.
No comments:
Post a Comment