The People’s Gazette, an online newspaper in Nigeria, has suspended one of its reporters, AyoolaBabalola for one month without pay for violating the newspaper’s social media policy.
Babalola is on the political desk of Peoples Gazette and previously worked with Sahara Reporters.
According to a statement issued by Peoples Gazette, his suspension was disclosed in a memo sent to all reporters and signed by Deputy Managing Editor, Boladale Adekoya. This memo was signed on Tuesday, April 4.
The development comes a few days after the newspaper published a report authored by Babalola alleging that the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in a phone call sought David Oyedepo’s support to secure Christians’ votes a day before the just concluded presidential election.
According to People’s Gazette, management made the decision after carefully reviewing the reporter’s responses to online trolls. It concluded that he did not act with the decorum and professionalism expected of the medium’s employees.
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“Ayoola Babalola met with HR, where he was directed to proceed with 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. However, it stressed the reporter’s “conduct on social media, both in months past and last weekend, grossly violated the organization’s guidelines on personal conduct.”
“Still, while the organization sympathizes and stands strongly with Mr. Babalola and all staff members who frequently come under social media onslaught, the manner colleagues handle online trolls distinguishes us as professionals.”
The statement added that the reporter would undergo counseling during the one-month suspension and be reinstated afterward.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
