Michael Irene: Of plagiarism and Linda Ikeji’s blogosphere affair – DailyPost Nigeria

Russia invasion: Viktor Orban states decision on weapons passing through Hungary to Ukraine
2023: Sowore joins presidential race
Buhari to attend UNEP summit in Kenya, medical checkup in London
Ukrainian army shoots down Russian fighter planes
£45,000 internet fraud: Court summons Corrections officer as defendant disappears
2023: APC has performed badly, may loose next election in Kogi – Akanle
2023: Sowore joins presidential race
Reject politicians using religion to cause tension, conflict – Ishaku hits MURIC
2023 presidency: Tinubu gets jeered after declaring himself a youth
2023 Presidency: DSS warns PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu
Fuel scarcity: Ibadan residents groan as petrol price increases
£45,000 internet fraud: Court summons Corrections officer as defendant disappears
12 burnt to death in Kano auto crash
Man burns inside masquerade costume while pulling stunt during Anambra festival
Terrorists kill one, abduct 10 in Kaduna communities
Why I ‘fight’ with Barcelona defender, Gerard Pique – Shakira
Nadia Buari unveils Van Vicker as father of her four daughters
‘No joy in Nigeria’ – Zinoleesky speaks after release from NDLEA custody
‘My leg hurts’ – Burna Boy speaks after car accident
Naira Marley, Marlian crew after my life – Mohbad speaks after NDLEA release [VIDEO]
Juventus lost 30 goals – De Ligt makes confession over Ronaldo’s departure
Manchester United: Berbatov reveals four players who received special treatment from Alex Ferguson
EPL: Rio Ferdinand exposes Maguire’s major weakness, reveals why Man Utd won’t win title
Russia-Ukraine war: Spartak Moscow slam UEFA for kicking them out of Europa League
Russia invasion: Ukraine contacts Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich
Published
on
By
The World Wide Web introduced the world to new ways of doing things. Corporate organisations use it as a platform to attract consumers and gain recognition on a global scale and more importantly, people use it as an avenue to promote their personal lifestyles, music and writing. Without the World Wide Web, one may argue, acts of tweeting, blogging, facebooking, mailing, youtubing etc. etc., would never have made the light of day. Most Nigerians, however, in recent years, have grossly misused this world created by technology.Some days ago, Google slapped a famous Nigerian blogger, Linda Ikeji, and perhaps one of the richest bloggers in Nigeria, famous for posting gossips and news almost on anything, on the face with accusations of plagiarism. One Mr. Aye Dee, who is also a blogger, drew Google’s attention to her acts. Consequently, Ikeji’s blog was pulled down.
However, Ikeji in her long treatise in defence against the accusation levied on her, claims that Mr. Dee is a “hater” and admitted that she “take(s) content from other sites” and goes further to boast the she takes “plenty of it sef.”  Ikeji is a good crook. At least, she can defend her actions and take responsibility for irresponsibility. She goes further to ask an important question in her lamentation: “which site doesn’t take news from other sites?” Then, she answers her inquiry, “that is how media runs.”
To an extent, Ikeji is right about how the media runs, especially in Nigeria where plagiarism is the new form of journalistic practises. A quick glance at most news reports, articles, blogs, by many Nigerian newspapers, publishers, would reveal that the fourth estate is peopled with inept elements.  Most Nigerian journalists are copy and paste writers, they are too lazy to carry out good research and ask good questions. Premium Times, Ynaija, just to mention those two, are examples of online newspaper and blog that have displayed such insouciance in recent pasts and perhaps, still do. Ironically, Ikeji’s whistle-blower, Mr. Aye Dee, has also been accused by other bloggers of plagiarism as well. Where is the honour among crooks?
After a close study of the issue, one can see reasons why Ikeji, instead of apologising about her fraudulent acts, would lecture the world about how the media is a free field for different kind of masquerades to display their magic. Any kind of plagiarism is bad. It is, as a matter of fact, similar to pickpocketing, armed-robbery and a host of other punishable crimes.
Ikeji stems from a system where even university professors, lecturers, students, musicians and pastors steal contents and claim it as theirs. A university lecturer in Lagos, downloaded a book from the internet, printed it and slammed his name on the book then sold it to his students. The students found out but didn’t have the guts to report to school authorities or just didn’t see anything wrong in their lecturer’s shameful act.
Plagiarism is not limited to bloggers alone. Many musicians have been accused numerous times of using other people’s content without referencing or acknowledging the owner.  A couple of days ago, Bishop TD Jakes, founder of The Potter’s House, vowed to file a lawsuit against American rappers Young Jeezy and Kendrick Lamar for using portions of his sermon without his consent. Jay-Z stole most of his lyrics in some of his songs from the late Notorious B.I.G but he claims to be “bigging up [his] brother”. Our own Tuface Idibia was accused of using Black Face’s line in his famous African Queen song. So, kini big deal?
Ikeji’s blog gets an estimated five hundred thousand visitors a day and companies place ads on her page. There must be a reason why her visitors and corporate customers love her enough to ignore her deed. They don’t see it as a crime. It is a Nigerian norm. But there’s a rule—don’t get caught.
One hopes this exposé helps the woman do the right thing henceforth. It also serves as a clarion call to owners of newspaper, blogs, magazines, to always seek consent before publishing other people’s work.
You can reach Michael Irene at [email protected]
@moshoke
Obinna Akukwe: 15 years of adulterous endurance: in defence of Anita Oyakhilome
‘Ifreke Inyang: Dear Wenger, flex your muscles in the transfer market not on the touchline
Michael Irene: Who’s afraid of Nnamdi Kanu?
Michael Irene: What really is it? Democracy? Nigerian Democracy? Cabalocracy?
Michael Irene: On Nigeria and other issues
Michael Irene: How Much Is A Nigerian Life Worth?
Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd

source