BROADCASTERS AND ARBITRARY USE OF TITLES By Wale Morakinyo

‎Many on-air personalities today have fallen into the habit of using honorifics and titles on air, a trend that was once frowned upon and considered an aberration in professional broadcasting.

‎Examples of such titles now frequently brandished include:

‎Ambassador Wale Morakinyo

‎Prince Wale Morakinyo

‎Aare Wale Morakinyo

‎Emperor Wale Morakinyo

‎Doctor Wale Morakinyo

‎Bashorun Wale Morakinyo

‎Omo-Oba Wale Morakinyo

‎Apostle Wale Morakinyo

‎Alhaji Wale Morakinyo

‎Mogaji Wale Morakinyo

‎Perhaps the most abused of these is “Doctor”, often adopted on the basis of honorary degrees from institutions that are themselves complicit in awarding such titles indiscriminately.

‎In some cases, these honorary degrees are obtained for fees ranging from five hundred thousand naira to as much as two million naira.

‎This is not to suggest that it is wrong for a broadcaster to receive a title. However, it is unprofessional for journalists, broadcasters, and OAPs to parade such titles on air.

‎Veteran broadcaster Yemi Sonde has, on several occasions, insisted on being addressed simply by his name, even when admirers attempted to confer titles on him. That is a standard worth emulating in contemporary broadcasting.

‎A broadcaster’s name should be sufficient. Titles, in this context, are often vague and largely unnecessary.

‎Wale Morakinyo works at Impact Business Radio (92.5 FM) Ibadan