MEHDI, BWALA, ABATI AND ANIAGOLU By Mustapha Shehu Mustash

I am compelled to write this for those who truly have no grasp of styles of journalistic interviews. I am doing so because some of our local TV anchors like Reuben Abati and Charles Aniagolu have come down hard on Mehdi Hasan over his style of interviewing Bwala Daniel. Abati went as far labelling Hasan a racist, while Aniagolu held that Hasan did not interview Bwala, but interrogated him.

Because these anchors are revered locally, their takes on Hasan’s style of interview may appear authoritative.

Far from it.

In journalism there are different types of interviews and the interview style depends on the intended story.

Hasan’s interview style is investigative. This style, unlike in features or profile interviews, could be confrontational. The interviewer prepares very well before the interview, with research, documents, and facts. The aim is not only to listen to the answers, but also to check whether those answers are true. This type of interview can be tough because the journalist may challenge the guest with evidence. It is similar to the style of Hasan, who often reminds guests of their past statements, statistics, or contradictions until the truth becomes clear.

Let’s stop belittling our country, please. Mehdi Hasan is a great ‘case study’ in journalism class.