Journalists Lola Ogunnaike, Jeff Koinange making their own news

June 19th, 2007 Posted in Film/Television, General, Politics

Lola Ogunnaike, Jeff Koinange It seems I’ve missed the developing news involving two high profile African journalists surrounding CNN. The first news came in May when the New York Times’ star culture reporter Lola Ogunnaike, an excellent journalist whom I met briefly a few months ago, joined CNN’s American Morning as a pop culture and entertainment correspondent. The news came after a bit of controversy when she was suspended by the Times after appearing on ABC’s The View in October 2006. It seems the Times doesn’t like it’s journalists moon-lighting. I think this is a good move for Ms. Ogunnaike anyway, as the new position at CNN will give her more on-air time and put a face to her insightful reporting.

The second news comes on a more controversial note as CNN’s long-time Africa correspondent Jeff Koinange was fired a few weeks ago as a reprimand for using his company e-mail account to continue an affair with a woman who subsequently published many of the messages on her blog Distant ‘Lovers. This scandal is combined with issues about whether Koinange paid Nigerian rebels who helped him get a story on a February 18 groundbreaking show where Koinange reported the story about 24 Filipino sailors held hostage in Nigeria. I’m sad to see Koinange go as he was one of the most consistent African voices on CNN’s US and International shows. Whether the accusations are true of not, I’m sure Mr. Koinange, will be picked up by another show soon. Stay tuned…

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Tags: Film/Television, journalism, Politics, pop-culture

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Adeola

‘Insightful reporting’?? Surely you cannot be describing the inane stuff Ms Ogunnaike is known for? Have you actually heard the nonsensical trivia she spouts on American Morning?
http://www.annansi.com Kofi

Thanks for visiting.

Are you speaking about all her work or just the American Morning work?

I must admit I haven’t seen her on American Morning yet, but hopefully she isn’t going to throw her Times credibility out of the window so early in her television career. The thing is though that there’s quite a difference in lifestyle/culture reporting for print as opposed to television – in America anyway. Unfortunately, lifestyle/culture reporting for television, especially on a morning show like that, lends itself to gossipy topics. Americans love that stuff, so maybe Ms. Ogunnaike is just playing the game. Hopefully she won’t get played in the end.
Adeola

Hi Kofi,
Her work at American Morning is extremely trivial, she basically regurgitates showbiz gossip.

I feel that Lola’s articles at the Times were often about very interesting subjects but that her actual style of writing was bland. I have some favorite journalists and what I like about them is their engaging style of writing and their natural way with words. I feel that Lola’s writing was readable and made sense but that she didn’t have that extra something that marks a truly talented scribe. That said, it may be that she was limited by the Times in that respect. They probably demand a somewhat bland and “neutral” writing style. All in all my impressions of Lola are that she seems capable and hard-working but not especially talented. However, it is nice to see a young black woman getting so many breaks regardless.

Also she comes across on American Morning as being engaging, funny and bubbly but at the same time, as I said, the material she reports on is very silly indeed and she also seems to trip over her words quite a lot. Hopefully she’s enjoying her new gig though anyway.

Adeola
http://www.annansi.com Kofi

I think you touched on a key point about both outlets and American lifestyle reporting in general. Unfortunately, the more bubbly the content, the more exposure it gets. Ogunnaike might not be the best at what she does but she knows how to deliver what the media wants. I think many Africans don’t understand this. It might not be right, but it’s what the American media landscape is like.
Adeola

Agreed, Kofi. Africa boasts some truly fantastic writers (many of them novelists) but not all of them know how to “market” themselves in a way that works in America.
Liberiangirl

Adeola,

Stop hating Ms.Ogunnaike.

I think she is a great reporter. This is something that you Nigerians can be proud of for once. Not the 419 scams you have become infamous with.

Ms. Ogunnaike you make me proud to be an African. A beacon of hope for Africa and all things African.

Liberiangirl
Mark

One thing is for sure, she is beautiful! Lola has to be the most attractive addition to CNN in years. Kudos to CNN for the efforts it has made in diversifying the faces you see there.

Mark
lilkunta

Does Lola speak Yoruba?
OLUSEGUN

Was Lola born in Nigeria or was she born in St Louis Missouri?