The State of Rivers

WHAT?
To produce a world-class newspaper that will serve public interest and promote public good in Rivers State.
WHY?
What we read about the State in the mainstream print media today is largely unflattering, pandering mainly to the journalism dictum of “when a dog bites a man, it is not news, but when a man bites a dog, it is news.” It is as if nothing good is happening in the State. Yet, journalism also allows that news can be what heals a society.
HOW?
Sensitive, mature and intelligent freelance writers, journalists and photographers, will travel through the State, take a walk around, encounter the people, observe, listen and present in vivid, candid prose and pictures, the treasures of the State as seen in how the people are living their lives: what makes them and the State tick. The stories will revolve around the people: Smiling. Laughing.Crying. Farming. Fishing. Cooking. Playing football. Suckling babies. Getting married. Festivals. Sacrifices. Churches. Shrines. Celebrating. Simply being human. Being Rivers. Urban. Rural. Sophisticated.
Our correspondents will seek to answer questions such as: what is new? What is interesting? What is significant to a greater number of the people? Would this change the way people are doing things?
The sort of questions that readers would want to get answers to, and perhaps, be given access to some of the most extraordinary stories of our time.
The stories of this newspaper are what we see and hear that will contribute to the healing and rebuilding process in Rivers State.
The stories would help the governed and monitor governance in relation to campaign promises and delivery.
The stories would be strictly based on facts and verifiable figures while readers would be allowed to draw their own conclusions.
And, all facets will be covered: Education. Health. Environment. Commerce. Religion. Entertainment. Business. Security. Policing. Food. Nutrition. Community Development. Sports. Fashion. Beauty. Festivals. Lifestyle. Heroes.
We expect our writers to recognise with John Dewey, that it is not the outward happenings of these things by themselves that are new, but the kindling by them of emotion, perception and appreciation.
Which is why we stress that the writers listen to the people’s story and reflect their views, staying at all times in their character, using the sort of vocabulary they would use and expressing the same views, ideas and where necessary prejudices; something akin to the role of a barrister in court pleading the case of a client and helping to get across their view of the world and the way things happen in it. Yet having the courage to smack them; to chastise them as the need arises.
Our interest is not to challenge the morality of their actions and opinions, but to simply listen to what they have to say about themselves (their words and deeds) and to understand how they justify them to themselves. The bottom line is to write articles (or a book that they would have written if they chose to write one themselves.)
Of course we will not publish blasphemy, sedition, libel, obscenity, government bashing (as distinct from constructive criticism).
When we publish opinions, it will be informed commentary, with the stress on informed.
Above all, we shall profile the people in their professional lives. That is what we call being Rivers. What is it like to be a Rivers politician, trader, writer, musician, in a national setting? If anyone of them declares for presidency, what comes to his mind? What gives these people their greatest worry about being Rivers? What gives them the greatest pleasure? And everything in between.
WHO CARES?
NigeriaLNG does. This newspaper will have its imprimatur; just as the magazine, Host, which it has published for its host communities since 1999. Indeed, it is this Host that is being transformed into a newspaper that will cover the entire Rivers State. That is why it has to be world-class.
NOW THIS…
If you believe that you can listen well, observe well and present well (in words and/or pictures) the state of Rivers, then we shall like you to join our team of freelance contributors and photographers.
Please call 08086676000 today and we shall take it from there. Or, simply send your story ideas to stories@host.taijowonukabe.com