To urge you all to get in touch with the BBC ...

[TheMartorialist]

... about this poor excuse for journalism on their website?

Yes, there are several more important things happening in the world, but I shall be shamelessly bumping this up throughout the day.

What is your gripe with it?

Um. Not quite sure what your issue is.

It is a comment by a Nigerian woman, telling her viewpoint, not the BBC's. Or am I missing something?

I would imagine the parents of the kidnapped children would think its very important
I dont get your point
Should we be kept unaware that Nigerian children are being held to ramsome because tehre's been earthquakhould we feel less sympathy for the parents of lost children as they're in Africa not Japan or NZ?

i also don't see what is bothering you about it.

I don't get it - what is wrong with it?

OK I am thick but why should people complain about that article?

It's a horrible subject. It's subjective because it is someone's ( the writer) opinion. It's emotive. But it's served a purpose cos I was unaware it was in 'vogue'.

Is this reverse psychology that by you posting on here claiming it needs reporting to the BBC that in fact more of us read it cos it's not area of BBC I frequent?

What is your problem with it? Do you have a great deal of knowledge of this and feel that the subject is being misreported? Maybe you have lived in Nigeria and feel that there is another side to this story. Maybe you don't to think of babies being kidnapped because it upsets you. Not sure what else you can find so offensive to be honest. Shit happens, life is cruel. Especially in Africa. And, yes, I have lived in Nigeria.

I shall be shamelessly bumping this up throughout the day

How about replying to the responses so far?

He's a male journalist. Is the OP referring to the final section, 'Marriage outdated?' in which he comes over as a bit of an arse?

I am guessing she/he is meaning the bottom bit but maybe isn't aware that it relates to African women and African society?

I'm confused as well, what's wrong with the article?

Completely lost me, see no problem with the article

How about realising that shamelessly bumping up throughout the day does not mean that I am actively viewing MN every second of the day?

I understand it is a personal opinion piece. I understand that the kidnapping trend in Nigeria does require publicity. I fully understand that it relates to African women and African society, as it's my region of origin. I have had family members, children included, kidnapped and know others with family members, children included, that have been kidnapped.

I am referring to the final section as I cannot understand for the life of me why the article links a baby being kidnapped by its nanny (with accomplices) as it being the fault of the mother who had the audacity to go out to work and how the article ambiguously (or perhaps directly) implies that mothers need to "reassess" their priorities/morality in deciding to go out to work.

I guess I've just come to expect a higher standard of journalism from the BBC - then again, I frequent the "Africa" section on the BBC's website and there are and have been far too many articles on there that are shockingly misogynistic/homophobic in their content and purpose.

confused.com

Pterosaur and DF you may assume that the op is referring to certain bit in the article but that is not what is stated in the OP
There is no mention of "read the bottom bit I object to that"
The link is to a BBC page where the headline iS Baby Stealing
The OP thinks there are more important things happening in the world but doesnt explain why they think kipnapped babies are not important.
Because they're black? Because they're Nigerian?
Dont African parents have the same anguish and emotions over a lost child as we would?
Maybe a hint of racism?
Dont know for sure as the OP didnt explain in their post

But to want us to complain to the BBC without a reasoned arguement is whiffing a bit like trolling

I agree, the final section is offensive, are people not reading to the end?

I am not sure it is journalism, rather an opinion piece from someone?

I do kind of get your point now though, although I wonder if the BBC intended for there to be a link between the two?

I hope my most recent post clarifies this, ratspeaker. I guess I had assumed that people would read the article in full.

If I were you TheMartorialist I would ask MN to pull the thread and then start another one specifically referencing in the opening post your particular problem with the article - namely the insinuation that the working mum is to blame. You were a bit vague in your first post tbh!

Otherwise you will get a whole load of posters coming on here and (quite reasonably) posting "What are you on about" etc - they won't necessarily spot your clarification in your post of 11.58

X post OP but why didnt you say that to start with?

It is clearly an opinion column,not a news report, so would rather discuss than complain about, but it is somewhat Daily Mailesque.

I agree Martorailist, misogynistic homophobic stereotypical media ideaology sneaked under the radar in the guise of investigative journalism.

ratspeaker, the OP has explained more what she means and I believe it has nothing to do with the babies being black or nigerian, or to do with babies being unimportant.

I think it is your assumption that is incorrect.

I get your objection, but this is a piece by an African journalist on his feelings on the matter - his comment, his view.

When a news channel gives a columnist space to write their take on the matter it is not objective - it people may object to that.

No, I didn't read to the end Pterosaur(because my first reaction was - and your problem is?.. and I stopped reading) - so shoot me!