**Interview with Ebere Wabara on Recent Language Missteps in Nigerian Media**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Ebere. You’ve been critical of some recent language errors in Nigerian media. What prompted you to address these issues?
**Ebere Wabara:** Thank you for having me. These language errors undermine the quality of journalism and can mislead readers. For instance, in the October 20 issue of The Mirror, they wrote, “There is a marked difference between political activities and electioneering campaigns.” In fact, “electioneering” already encompasses campaigns, so we can simply refer to it as “electioneering.”
**Interviewer:** That’s an interesting observation. What about expressions that seem redundant or confusing?
**Ebere Wabara:** Absolutely. For example, they mentioned “the interest of the common man in the street.” The phrase “man in the street” already implies commonality; adding “common” is unnecessary and overly repetitive. Another error was, “Glo’s Move to Greener Pastures campaign hits over 50,000 views.” It should be “Move to Greener Pastures campaign,” not with hyphenation.
**Interviewer:** You’ve pointed out several errors in recent editions. Can you highlight a few more?
**Ebere Wabara:** Sure, I noted that the Daily Independent incorrectly stated, “FG says its suffering from cash crunch.” It should be “it’s suffering.” Moreover, they referred to “pipeline vandalization,” when the correct term is “pipeline vandalism.”
**Interviewer:** That certainly illustrates a range of linguistic lapses. How do you feel these missteps affect public perception?
**Ebere Wabara:** These errors diminish credibility. When a publication states, “Corruption destroying the fabrics of Nigeria,” it should read “the fabric” to maintain singularity and clarity. Such mistakes can lead to misunderstanding about serious issues.
**Interviewer:** Are there other instances that stood out to you?
**Ebere Wabara:** Definitely. The Guardian stated, “work at Baro Port…has reached an advanced stage.” This vague phrasing fails to convey a clear understanding of the progress. Journalists should provide statistical context, so readers grasp the scope of work being done.
**Interviewer:** How about other misprints or grammatical errors?
**Ebere Wabara:** I’ve seen glaring errors like “APC presidential shoes fits,” which should be “APC presidential shoe fits.” In ONSA’s report about the crackdown on forex speculators, the correct phrase is “crack down,” not “crackdown.”
**Interviewer:** It’s clear you have a keen eye for detail. What do you hope will change in the media landscape?
**Ebere Wabara:** I hope for a more robust approach to language and a commitment to clarity and precision. Maintaining high standards in journalism is crucial for informing the public accurately. Better editing processes and training could go a long way in reducing these errors.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Ebere, for sharing your insights. It’s essential to uphold the integrity of language in journalism.
**Ebere Wabara:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss these important issues.
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