Don't Shoot the Messenger
Commentary by M.V. Paasewe
When you are involved in an argument with another person, always avoid
attacking your opponent's personality. Stick to the issues at bay. To 'Beg
the Question' is a cardinal sin against reasoning. One who begs the question
leaves the crux of the argument and attacks his opponent's personality with
the hope of convincing his opponent. Paradoxically, in this line of
deductive reasoning, the one whose personality is attacked is usually
vindicated at the end of the argument.
Liberia's sports ambassador George Manneh Weah was reported in the local
media on Tuesday April 30, 2002 to have concluded that Liberian journalists
are untrained and lack professionalism. Weah's premise was buttressed by his
denial of recent media reports attributed to him, in which he allegedly
called on the Liberian leadership to apologize to him. Weah has, however,
denied ever saying so.
The point of this article, hence, is to prove beyond a scintilla of doubt,
through two inductive pointers, that, though charming and amiable, the
UNICEF goodwill ambassador is a consummate liar with a split personality;
whose true mien the public is yet to know. Mind you, I will prove my
argument with facts, and not blind emotion, as is Amb. Weah's wont.
1. After the dismal early exit of the Liberian national football team from
the Mali 2002 African Cup of Nations, the former Lone Star technical
director ranted in the media that he was quitting the team. Among other
things, Weah claimed his businesses had been 'repossessed' by the Liberian
government. Media investigations however proved Weah's allegations contrary.
All of Weah's businesses in Monrovia were operating unhindered at the time
he had made the accusations. It was in fact Weah who recently voluntarily
closed down his businesses for unexplained reasons.
2. Amb. Weah actually participated in an email interview with
LoneStarsoccer.Com, a US-based Liberian website devoted to sports. The
interview was a follow-up on reconciliation overtures between Weah and local
football authorities. Here is an unexpurgated excerpt of the interview:
Question: Your email reply to the LFA
president has received wide commendation in Monrovia. Many believe it is the
right step in the right direction towards enhancing football in Liberia. But
they also argue that you should have gone a step further to comment on the
harsh remarks you made against president Charles Taylor. How do you feel
about this'
Answer: I responded to Mr. Snowe
interview because he realize his mistake and call for peace, those who all
felt that I should go beyond that, they are very wrong, I did nothing to Mr.
Taylor I only answer to his harsh mistake words against me send by the
minister of sports, so I think Mr. Taylor should not feel because he is the
president of Liberia he have the right to tell people anything he feel like.
Is wrong, I think he should apologise to me first than I will follow up, if
not, I will never feel guilty, he is not too big to apologise, the only
being that is bigger is God Almighty.
So there, who is in this case is the liar' Who needs to be trained' Is it
the Liberian journalist, who, in doing a piece of job, adheres to
professional ethics by objectively reporting what he or she sees and hears;
or that person who, after making unproven, baseless allegations backtracks
and lambastes the media for reporting what he has said.
Weah is notorious for throwing blames on others whenever he faces
misfortunes. Weah blamed the Liberian media for reporting Lone Star's poor
performance in South Africa '96 African Cup of Nations. Weah threw tantrums
and blamed the media after a second-string Ghana Black Star whipped Lone
Star last year in the World Cup qualifiers. On both occasions, Weah
threatened to quit the team.
Weah, the gentle giant of Paris Saint Germaine and AC Milan fame always
metamorphoses into Weah, the lethal, abusive Black Mamba of Vai
Town-Gibraltar in the twinkle of an eye whenever misfortune knocks at his
door. The media becomes his chewing bone.
But all is not yet lost. Weah's retraction of his harsh comments made
against President Taylor during the recent Internet interview shows that he
is indeed ready to ride the reconciliation bandwagon. In Liberia, when a
child insults his elder and denies, he has already apologized.
Nevertheless, Weah needs to go beyond denial and extend an open apology to
the Liberian chief patron of sports. Weah should also not 'feel too big' to
say 'never mind' to all the Liberian journalists he has insulted over the
years. Journalists everywhere are mirrors and echoes of the larger society.
A journalist is a messenger, a harbinger of the times; whether gloom, doom
or boom.
WHOSOEVER shoots the messenger leaves the issue unattended, unresolved; to
rear its ugly head tomorrow.
|
Related Stories
An
Exclusive With Liberian Sports Ambassador George Manneh Weah
Weah Refutes Media Report Says
He Did Not Demand Any Apology
 |
