Who is Afraid of Labour’s Spin Doctor?

Spin Doctor Alastair Campbell
British Prime Minister David Cameron spent five years criticizing the Labour Government as the leader of the Conservative Party before he became the prime minister. If the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg had done the same thing then the Liberal Democrats may have won more votes than they did during the recent general election. Mr Cameron worked extremely hard to regain the confidence of the masses. He was such a powerful orator to the extent that he could face anybody, anywhere in the world.

Last week, the coalition government of the Conservative Party and Lib Dems refused to send a representative to appear on (the BBC TV programme) Question Time simply because the foremost Spin Doctor Alastair Campbell represented the Labour Party. It was not a concrete reason to avoid Question Time. To demand that Campbell should be 'removed from the panel' before a government minister could appear on the programme was appalling. In fact, it was childish and looked as if the Con-Dem government was not available for constructive criticism in a democratic society unless the Con-Dem was trying to tell us that it is not liberal nor democratic.

Campbell was former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Press Secretary (1997-2000) and Director of Communications and Strategy (2000-2003). The Con-Dem made Alastair Campbell look more important than ever. Whoever made such a decision made it look as if the Con-Dem’s Spin Doctors were not good enough to face Campbell otherwise who was afraid of him? It may be better to shop for a new spinmeister to do the job and be prepared to face critics.

At least, the Sky News political editor Adam Boulton was bold enough to face Campbell after the election although regulator Ofcom received 'nearly 1,000 complaints' on Boulton. Boulton looked as if he wanted to ‘hit’ Campbell with his clenched fist. Campbell was undeterred and kept his eyes on Boulton’s fist as the argument ensued. Campbell was defending the Labour party and Boulton was on the side of the Conservative party. Boulton would make a good spin doctor without his bad temper although Sky maintained that Campbell provoked Boulton.

Spin doctors in the UK normally have a background in journalism and journalists are fast becoming good politicians. In fact, Alastair Campbell, the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the present Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg were journalists. Brown has a PhD in History and used to work with the Scottish Television. Mr Glegg is articulate and an asset to the coalition government. He initially worked for the Financial Times and the European Commission and has Master’s degrees in Political Philosophy and European Affairs.

Who is right in Question Time row?
Question Time and Con-Dem cowardice
Row over Alastair Campbell on BBC Question Time panel
Adam Boulton expresses regret over Alastair Campbell row

More BBC Documentaries on Nigeria

Jonathan Dimbleby photo by BBC

An African Journey with Jonathan Dimbleby

The BBC has shown further interest in Nigeria since Welcome to Lagos. An African Journey with Jonathan Dimbleby is very interesting without a dull moment on BBC2. Episode 1 takes you from Mali to Ghana and Nigeria. I don’t think the Nigerian Government will complain about this one like it complained about Welcome to Lagos. Dimbleby travels in a private jet with Nigeria’s richest man Aliko Dangote but does not spare him questions on corruption in Nigeria. Later, he interviews Afro hip-hop star Naeto C and Nigeria’s foremost female rapper Sasha. Episode 2 is to be aired on Sunday @ 9pm.

The New Kings of Nigeria

BBC4 follows Ja Ja King of Opobo’s Grandson Walter, a 'TV and music producer' based in Lagos in The New Kings of Nigeria. If you want to know how the entertainment industry in Nigeria works then it is worth watching. The documentary reveals Walter as the voice behind 'Big Brother' in Nigeria. Walter has to use generators most of the time. His sister (Lara) says they don’t enjoy constant electricity power supply. Constant Power cut slows down manpower and the controversial issue of electricity in Nigeria needs to be addressed. Walter and Lara are probably used to the Nigerian system by now although they were brought up in the UK.

New African Channels on Sky TV

Yinka Quadri courtesy Daily Sun

FOBO Movies

Films Of Black Origin aka *FOBO Movies is the latest African movie channel on Sky pay TV. It is on Sky channel 344. It is free at the moment and worth watching. FOBO has shown some good movies and could keep you glued to your seat longer than normal although the channel has a ‘technical hitch’ at the moment.

Most of the films are in English with a few subtitled in English e.g Yoruba films like Eleburu Ike starring Mosun Filani, Kunle Afolayan, Henrietta Kosoko and Toyin Adewale… The Yoruba movie industry has improved a lot. It is based on a police murder case with a unique twist. Ayawa Ni starring Yinka Quadri and Taiwo Hassan aka Ogogo may leave you ‘breathless’. It is a love story with captivating Yoruba proverbs and a unique story line. You get to know why some Nigerian men actually fight over women. I can’t wait to watch Part 2 although I hardly get much time to watch films.

You may wonder why Segun Blessing’s song Aya Wa was not used… It is a nice song. I think it is the best of Ogogo’s performance in any film since he played Owo Blow (1997). Owo Blow trilogy sold out and most people had to hire copies from video shops in those days. It was probably one of Tade Ogidan’s best works as a director and film-maker. Coincidentally, Bimbo Akintola played Owo Blow’s wife and also played Anini’s wife in Anini. Owo Blow and Anini were robbers. Lawrence Anini was a real ruthless Nigerian Robin Hood.
*Update: FOBO Movies is currently off air.

Vox Africa

Vox Africa came at the right time with 'constant' news. A lot of people are now addicted to programmes like Shoot the Messenger by Henry Bonsu, Cosmopolitan, Afrobuzz and Wahala. Wahala is a Yoruba word for trouble or problem but the interesting entertainment programme is in English. The channel also shows a few Nollywood films. Vox Africa is on Sky Channel 218.