NEWS
“They Are Happy When a Foreign Journalist Grilled a Nigerian Government Official, They Are Not Happy When a Nigerian Journalist Grills a Foreign Ambassador“ — Shehu Sani Calls Out “Double Standards” in Public Reactions to Tough Interviews with Officials and Foreign Diplomats
Former Senator Shehu Sani has criticised what he describes as glaring double standards in how Nigerians react to tough interviews involving public officials versus foreign representatives.
Sani’s comments follow two recent media interviews that drew starkly different reactions online.
The first involved Daniel Bwala, a presidential aide, who appeared on the Head to Head programme on Al Jazeera, hosted by journalist Mehdi Hasan. During the exchange, Bwala was challenged on past criticisms he had made about the government before joining the ruling party. Many viewers praised Hasan for holding Bwala accountable, hailing the interview as an example of rigorous journalism.
The second incident featured Rufai Oseni, a presenter with Arise News, interviewing Michael Freeman, Israel’s ambassador to Nigeria.
Oseni asked firm and pointed questions concerning Israel’s actions and other international issues. Unlike the reaction to Bwala’s interview, this encounter drew criticism from some viewers who argued that the ambassador was treated too harshly.
Taking to X to react to both situations, Sani highlighted the inconsistency in public opinion. He argued that tough questioning is applauded when directed at Nigerian officials but condemned when it targets foreign diplomats.
Sani stressed that journalists should be allowed to question anyone in positions of authority without fear or bias.
“Public debate and accountability should apply equally, whether the person being questioned is a local politician or a foreign representative,” he said.
His observations have sparked renewed debate about media freedom, journalistic accountability, and the need for consistent standards in how the public perceives interviews with both domestic and international figures.