Following the public backlash she received for her phlegmatic display during the course of her interview with Tiwa Savage, ThisDay journalist –Azuka Ogujiuba has defended herself.
Azuka, in a recent interview with Genevieve Magazine , said contrary to what many opined, she desperately held back her emotions while conducting the interview.
“There were so many memes about my expression. People read me wrong. I was trying not to cry. I was in shock. But cyber bullying doesn’t move me. I have a thick skin,” she told the magazine.
“I read some of the feedback and insults. I am not a TV journalist. I am a print journalist. I am not trained to be before a camera. I understand the criticism was because of the love for Tiwa so I’m not really bothered because I love her too.”
Meanwhile, she also issued a statement about the issue through her Facebook page on Tuesday, May 3.
“Woooooooow, l am really trending o, world people have now created another version n topic ‘The Interviewer’ out of Tiwa Savage n Teeblizz marital woe saga.
The issue on ground have been shifted aside and my body language n mannerism during my chat with her is now giving some people sleepless nights.
I have one advice for people talking down on my professional approach especially my colleagues- The training l got from the prestigious University of Lagos Mass Comm depart, as a print journalist is to go after the scoop first, how l looked or stared at Tiwa is not important but the story lam after.
Secondly, was l able to make Tiwa talk about the allegations presented by her husband? Of course YES, that is what is important.
Thirdly, did l have a good network to get the exclusive interview? YES obviously.
Fourthly, did l risk my life as a true journaist would do for an exclusive interview by leaving my daughter alone in the bedroom, not thinking incase there was a sudden fire outbreak or something, or what about me who had to be driven from the mainland to the island on that dark and lonely third mainland bridge by 2.15 am?
YES, I took one of the biggest risk of my life.
Fourthly, why would Tiwa prefer me to all the televison personalities that has been compared to me to interview her, and some of these TV personalities are always hanging around her more than me?
It is simply because she respects my style of journalism.
Fifthly, Some people said l didnt show any empathy towards Tiwa when she cried and how did they know? And if l had been mushy mushy during my chat, they will still find fault n say l was biased.
I bet a lot of these people abusing wish they were the ones who did that interview, too bad l have done it and nothing dey happen for igboro..
End of the day what gave me so much satisfaction was that l did the exclusive interview with Tiwa, l have done my bit as a print journaist(not TV) If anybody is so pained by my approach, they should drink acid o.
‘CYBER BULLYING’ has no space in my territory and to be honest l dont give a hoot about those hateful comments which they claim is criticism, anyway, it is a free world people are allowed to vent their frustrations termed critism.
I am not saying l wont pick from the criticism, the good ones l have happily accepted and the bad ones l have sent back to the senders o..LOL..”
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