2 months ago
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Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris
The Federal Government has applauded the National Media Complaints Commission, also known as the Ombusman, for its recent ruling against Daily Trust newspaper regarding a report on the Samoa Agreement.
The NMCC said the newspaper report was not only inaccurate but violated the Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, through his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, emphasised the importance of journalistic integrity and the media’s role in shaping public perception through accurate reporting.
The FG highlighted the expectation that news outlets adhere strictly to professional standards to ensure factual, fair, and balanced coverage.
“The public expects that news outlets will adhere strictly to professional ethics and conduct by ensuring that their reportage is factual, fair, and balanced. This way, injurious reporting such as the one done by Daily Trust could be effectively avoided.
“The Federal Government recognises that a free press is a pillar of democracy but with this freedom comes the responsibility to report news in a manner that is accurate and devoid of misinformation. It is only through this commitment to truth that the media can effectively hold the government and institutions accountable,” the statement read.
The NMCC’s recommendations include a directive for Daily Trust to publicly apologise for its false report and implement measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The government welcomed this guidance and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and proactive information dissemination regarding matters of public interest.
Idris further called on media organisations to uphold ethical standards and collaborate in providing accurate information, which is vital for fostering an informed citizenry.
“The Federal Government appreciates the recommendations made by the NMCC, including the directive to Daily Trust to issue a public apology for its false report on the Samoa Agreement and take measures to prevent future occurrences.
“The call for increased transparency and proactive information dissemination by Federal Government institutions is duly noted, and steps will be taken to ensure that Nigerians are adequately informed about matters of public interest.
“The Federal Government is committed to fostering an environment where the media thrives while also remaining accountable to the ethical standards of the profession. We call on all media organisations to continue to uphold these standards and work collaboratively in the dissemination of accurate information, which is essential for a well-informed and active citizenry,” it added.
The government viewed the NMCC ruling as a benchmark for journalistic excellence and aimed to strengthen the relationship between the media and the public.
It stated, “Let this ruling by the National Media Complaints Commission against Daily Trust serve as a benchmark for journalistic excellence, and also strengthen the bonds between the media, the government, and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
On Monday, the NMCC released a report of its investigation into a complaint made against the Daily Trust by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
On July 4, 2024, the newspaper published a front-page news item titled “LGBT: Nigeria signs $150 Billion Samoa Deal,” in which it reported that the FG has endorsed a European Union partnership agreement (referred to as the Samoa Agreement with member-states of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and the Pacific States.
The commission, in its 19-page report, said after scrutinising the complaint of the government, as well as the response of the newspaper, found the Daily Trust story complained about as “inaccurate.”
The NMCC, however, also accused the Federal Government of poor handling of issues around the Samoa Agreement it signed, stating that had the government demonstrated “greater openness, transparency and accountability” in dealing with matters relating to the deal, “the attendant conjectures and speculations about the content of the Samoa Agreement could have been avoided.”
The ombudsman, nonetheless, asked the Daily Trust to apologose for the inaccuracies in its report on the Samoa Agreement.
