MEDIA GAFFES

THE PUNCH of March 10 disseminated two infantile goofs: “Unknown gunmen kidnap varsity VC in A’Ibom” When will Nigerian journalists desist from using this cliché: “unknown gunmen”? Just say, ‘gunmen’! And this: “varsity VC”! My dear reader, how does it sound to your ears? A rewrite: Gunmen kidnap VC in Akwa Ibom

For the first time, let us welcome DStv, which offered two hollow blunders via its message scroll on Saturday, March 10 to this column: “Dear subscribers, we are please to inform you that….” Enjoy this: I am pleased (take note) to inform you that reactions to this column are welcome.

“Kindly tune in for your viewing pleasure” Learn and relax: tune in to your viewing pleasure.

“Why spend 6 years for a 4 year course?” This way: 4-year course. Punctuation marks mean so much in communication, most especially when the issue is scholarship.

Vanguard of March 8 deserves a query for this slipshoddiness: “Apparently disturbed by the spate of armed robbery in Lagos State, the IGP….” Yellow card: spate of armed robberies.

The next farcical line is from DAILY CHAMPION of March 8: “…that over six million people in Nigeria have been affected by glaucoma, which is the second leading cause of blindness in the continent of Africa.” World Glaucoma Week: on the continent of Africa, once more.

“To diffuse tension, Cottone says, discuss money and expectations upfront (everything from paying rent to doing chores).” (THE GUARDIAN Homes & Property on Wednesday, March 7) There is a world of difference between ‘defuse’, which should apply here, and ‘diffuse’ (which means another thing entirely)!