The federal government has lauded the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), Nigeria’s media ombudsman, for its thorough and impartial investigation into a report by Daily Trust regarding the Samoa Agreement.
The NMCC concluded that the report was inaccurate, misleading, and violated the Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists.
According to the federal government, the ruling underscores the importance of journalistic integrity and accountability, highlighting the media’s critical role in shaping public perception through truthful reporting.
The commendation was conveyed in a statement issued on Tuesday, September 24, by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, through his special assistant, Rabiu Ibrahim.
The government emphasised the public’s expectation for news outlets to adhere strictly to professional ethics, ensuring that their reporting is factual, fair, and balanced. By doing so, harmful reporting like that of Daily Trust can be avoided in the future.
While the federal government recognises the press’s vital role in a democratic society, it also stresses that with this freedom comes the responsibility to provide accurate news devoid of misinformation.
The statement reads: “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 recognizes 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 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 organizations 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.
“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.”
The commission, in its 19-page report, said after scrutinising the complaint of the government, as well as the response of the newspaper, which it had sought and obtained, 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 issue an apology for the inaccuracies in its report on the Samoa Agreement.
