Ayoola Babalola, a reporter for a Nigerian online newspaper called the Peoples Gazette, has been suspended for one month without pay for breaking the paper’s social media policy. The Peoples Gazette reported on the allegedly leaked audio conversation between Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, and Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church.
Babalola, who was seated at the Peoples Gazette’s political department, had previously worked for Sahara Reporters, another online daily in Nigeria.
This information was made public when the suspension was announced in a statement by the Peoples Gazette. All reporters received the statement that was included in a message that was signed by the deputy managing editor, Boladale Adekoya.
Remember that the leaked audio discussion in the case claimed that Obi asked Oyedepo for assistance in speaking to his people before the presidential election and portrayed the election as a “holy war” in the chat.
Nevertheless, Obi claimed that the recording was phony in a statement that he signed on Wednesday.
He also expressed alarm at the intense pressure that was being put on him to leave the country.
According to the online media outlet, the management made the choice after carefully examining the reporter’s reactions to online trolls.
According to the Peoples Gazette, it was determined that he did not conduct himself with the decency and professionalism demanded of the organization’s personnel.
“Ayoola Babalola met with the HR, where he was directed to proceed on suspension for one month without pay,” the online newspaper stated in the memo.
“Mr. Babalola is a vibrant and respected member of the organization’s editorial team,” the statement noted but the reporter’s “conduct on social media, both from months past and as recently as last weekend, grossly violated the organization’s guideline on personnel conduct.”
“Still, while the organization sympathizes and stands strongly with Mr. Babalola and all staff members who come frequently under social media onslaught, the manner with which colleagues handle online trolls is what distinguishes us as professionals,” it said.
