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Five months ago, a friend of mine, who edits a national daily, sent me a text message agreeing substantially with my column, ‘The Punch and the rest of us’, except the generalised conclusion that “all (journalists) have sinned and fallen short of the glory of the profession”. There are still some journalists, he submits, who toe the narrow path of integrity. Of course I knew where he was coming from, but I also knew the context in which I had made that statement.

I revisit that statement in light of the stories spewing out of the political beat, specifically on the race for the 2011 presidential elections and how it affects the integrity of news.

As part of the effort to sell his candidature for the presidency, former military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) invited as many as 40 journalists to his Minna home on August 14 for an interview. I have heard questions asked about why he should invite journalists to his home instead of a public place if he didn’t have an ulterior motive, and why he should offer monetary gifts to the journalists in the name of paying for their transportation.

One news medium, which has championed this opposition in the open, is the online agency, Sahara Reporters. According to SR each of the journalists received N10 million for heeding Babangida’s call on his presidential ambition. That is N400 million just for one night’s interview from an aspirant yet to win his party’s nomination if it were true. But it was not. When some of the journalists complained about the fictional sum, SR changed the story on August 19, saying it was just “a paltry N250, 000 each”. Rather than admit its initial error SR simply said, “our accountants have told us that going by the number of 40 journalists in attendance, we are still around the same ballpark of N10 million”. So much for credible reporting!

Three days later, SR followed up with ‘IBB and his Rogue Journalists’, accusing the journalists of roguery and professional misconduct; roguery, because they collected money from two sources—their employers who presumably authorised and funded the trip and their news source, IBB; misconduct because it is unethical for them to demand/receive gratification from news sources for their services.

And on August 23 in ‘IBB Nocturnal Press Parley: Punch fires Editorial board Chairman’, SR stayed on top of the story by reporting that Adebolu Arowolo, editorial board chairman of the Punch, had lost his job for going on that trip without his management’s approval..

Sepp Blatter, the President of FIFA is banking all his hopes that the world icon Nelson Mandela will be in good health to open the FIFA World Cup in South Africa this summer.

The former South African President is 91 years old and was last seen by the public on 11^thFebruary. It was the 20^th anniversary of his prison release, the day from which he was set free and was inspired to work with more vigour for his country.

Blatter earlier stated while talking to the media, “We cross fingers that Nelson Mandela can realise this dream. And his dream would be to be at the opening of the World Cup. For the time being, he is doing well and we hope that he can do it”.

He then added, “It will be his World Cup”.

Blatter has been riddled with critics who constantly question about the success of the World Cup in South Africa. South Africa was eager to have the world wide event on its turf while Blatter said they would have his full co-operation. Though there have been setbacks in the selection of major players and injuries, the tournament nevertheless looks to be a stunner despite a lesser number of predicted tickets being sold.

In fact the board is so convinced about its success that FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, the man whose neck is on the line for the preparations, claims that the tournament could have started weeks ago.

There has been a large drop in the amount of tickets being sold this year for two reasons. The first is a massive drop in ticket sales from Europe. A majority of the tickets used to be sold from the United Kingdom but as Valcke has correctly noted, the new internet-based system of ticket sales for this World Cup hasn’t been quite a success. One reason is the locals of Africa which have a low percentage of internet penetration and online banking facilities. Still, it’s predicted by Valcke and Blatter that the stadiums will be full to a 95 percent capacity.

The start of the internet campaign was pretty impressive and the sales reached a new record. However, a sudden rush was met with a surprising retreat. Valcke said, “I think we should have opened ticketing centres in the country before. Yes, we have to think about our ticketing policies and maybe review the policy which limits people to buying four tickets for one game. We will learn for 2014”.

There was fear that there might be a lot of unoccupied seats, a fear that Blatter had constantly took notice of but Valcke has affirmed, “We’re very confident of having a high number of people attending all 64 matches. The only World Cup with 100 per cent occupancy was in 1994 in the United States, but we will have at least 95 per cent occupancy of all stadiums.”

Now that Makhenkesi Stofile, the Minister of Sport and Recreation has confirmed that Nelson Mandela will be arriving at the Soccer City for the World Cup’s opening ceremony, there is bound to more joy and attendance from the local as well as international fans.

The former Nobel Prize winner, in spite of his poor health, has confirmed that he will be fit enough to come. Stofile told that Madiba has asked the FIFA 2010 World Cup board for four tickets which have been honoured to them.

Mandela will be participating in the opener between Bafana Bafana (South Africa) and Mexico on the 11^th of June, along with the final that is due on the 11^th of July at the Soccer City Stadium.