Rufai Oseni and the Challenge of Staying Neutral

It is important for Nigerian television to have interviewers who are knowledgeable and brave, but a journalist must not take over the argument for the guest or push personal opinions on viewers. When a journalist crosses that line, it can look like they are taking sides, even if they are not actually biased.

After I shared my thoughts on last week’s event on Arise Television’s “Morning Show,” a friend who is a well-known public relations leader in Nigeria messaged me. “What do you really think about Rufai Oseni?” I replied, “I believe he is smart, patriotic, and mostly objective. But he can get too emotional and sometimes goes beyond what a journalist should do.” My friend, who claims to have known Mr. Oseni for years, replied, “Really? He shows none of the traits of a professional journalist!” They also suggested that the television host needs more training. I didn't respond for two reasons. First, I agree that Mr. Oseni and any professional should keep learning and improving. Didn't someone once say that a man's education isn’t complete until he dies? Second, I decided to write my thoughts about this in an article. I will be honest. While many Nigerians think Rufai Oseni is biased, I don’t see it that way. I realize that many people, especially those who face his tough questioning, view the Arise “Morning Show” anchor as partisan, arrogant, and unprofessional. But I don’t think so, and I say this as someone who enjoys the show. Over time, I have noticed that Oseni, along with his colleagues, Dr. Ruben Abati, Mrs. Ayo Mairo-Ese, and sometimes Mrs. Vimbai Mutinhiri-Ekpenyong, hold their guests accountable for good governance and responsibility.

Oseni’s Skills

To add to my thoughts on Oseni, he is one of the most talented journalists on Nigerian television today. He reads widely, knows facts and figures well, and shows a level of preparation that should be expected from anyone presenting a morning show on national television. Oseni remembers what public officials have said in the past. He can pull out figures, highlight contradictions, and push on when guests try to avoid answering questions. His passion for Nigeria shines through in almost every discussion. I can’t imagine any country expecting less from a journalist. So why does Oseni seem biased or unprofessional to many viewers? First, we need to understand the format of the Arise “Morning Show.” The three main anchors have at least two different roles. They are journalists but also analysts. In the first 30 minutes, they don’t just tell us what happened; they explain what it means. They analyze policies, positions, and issues. They can share their personal views without hesitation during this time. This also applies to segments like “The Brief” with Rotus Odiri, “World Brief and Newspapers Review” by Akinfemi Adesanya, “Sports” with Aron Akerejola or Ebi Iyomon, and “What’s Trending” by Ojy Okpe. This difference between news reporting and other types of broadcast journalism is standard. The UK’s broadcast regulator, Ofcom, in Rule 5.9, states that presenters outside news programs, including personal view shows and discussion program chairs, can share their views on political controversies or public policy. This freedom requires proper representation of different viewpoints. Presenters must not use their regular spots to push their opinions in a way that compromises fairness.

The Role of an Interviewer

So, there is nothing wrong with an anchor expressing their feelings in these segments. Analysts who are afraid to share their conclusions aren’t worthy of the title. If two ideas contradict each other or a policy is unclear, an analyst should say it. If someone's behavior raises questions about trust, consistency, or competence, a journalist, acting as an analyst, should make that judgment based on verified facts. It doesn’t matter whose side it affects. The issue arises when an analyst doesn’t fully shift to the role of a journalist during interviews. That is where the problem lies. The interviewer has a different job than the analyst. They should not come to the interview with the aim of proving their own opinion. They have invited the guest or expert to answer questions and give information to viewers. Their role is to ask questions, examine the answers given, present contradictory evidence when needed, and help the audience draw their own conclusions from the guest's information or clarifications. But this does not mean that the journalist should hold back. Anyone, especially public officials, who goes on television should expect tough questions and follow-ups. If they dodge questions, they should know the interviewer will press on. When they contradict themselves, the interviewer should point that out. When facts differ from their claims, the interviewer must call them out. That is the ideal approach to journalism. Many critics of Oseni miss this point. Tough questioning is not always bias, just like interrupting is not always rude. Sometimes, an interviewer must interrupt a guest who is dodging a question, taking too long, or being too promotional. On the whole, adversarial journalism is not the same as argumentative journalism. The line between questioning a guest’s argument and arguing with them is very thin, and interviewers should stay clear of it.

Emotional Responses and Viewer Perception

This is where I think Mr. Oseni sometimes runs into issues with guests and viewers. Occasionally, he seems so emotional and eager to prove he is right that his questions become too long. His follow-up questions turn into explanations, which can lead to arguments. Before long, viewers might feel like they are watching two people trying to outdo each other instead of a journalist getting information from a guest. This can confuse viewers instead of educating them. At such moments, the show can become cringeworthy. And sadly, it shouldn't get to this stage because Oseni usually has enough information. In my view, the better prepared an interviewer is, the less they need to say. An interviewer should present the facts to the guest, no matter how uncomfortable, ask their question, and then listen. If the guest dodges, repeat the question; if they contradict themselves, ask them to explain. If they fail, let it be. You’ve made your point, and the audience, which is not foolish, already gets it. Interviews should not turn into shouting matches simply because an interviewer wants to win the argument. Their desire to prove their opinion should not be seen during an interview. Despite all this, it will be hard to keep claiming that Oseni is politically biased. A journalist’s strong opinions or tough questioning shouldn’t mean they support one side over the other. To check an interview’s fairness, we should ask if the interviewer treats claims equally, regardless of who makes them. Do they investigate evasions from politicians they are thought to favor as intensely as those they are thought to oppose? Do they treat evidence seriously, without caring about political leanings? These are fair questions for Oseni, his colleagues on the Arise “Morning Show,” and all journalists. In my view, I haven't seen convincing evidence that Rufai Oseni uses his platform to promote one political side over another. Instead, he consistently demands that the government must deliver for the people and that candidates must do more than make promises. They should explain how they will achieve their campaign promises. I see someone with a strong passion for making Nigeria work, but who sometimes lets his beliefs show too much and dominate his interviews with those who disagree. This goes against the journalist's role but does not prove bias. But many viewers might miss this difference, and that’s where professional restraint is important. Journalism works best when it is credible, and credibility often depends on how people see it. When many viewers think they already know an interviewer’s position before a guest even starts speaking, the journalist creates a problem for themselves, even if that perception is wrong and unfair. So, journalists need restraint. They also need to clearly define their roles when they have multiple responsibilities, like on the Arise “Morning Show.” God forbid that Nigerian television lacks interviewers who are knowledgeable and brave, but a journalist must resist the urge to finish the argument for the guest or force personal opinions on viewers. When a journalist crosses that line, it can seem like they are taking sides, even if they are not actually biased.