FG Commends NMCC as Ombudsman orders Daily Trust to apologise for misleading Samoa Deal report
The National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), the media ombudsman, has ruled that Daily Trust newspaper violated professional standards in a report published on July 4.
The NMCC stated that the front-page story, titled “LGBT: Nigeria Signs 150 billion dollars Samoa Deal,” contained inaccurate and misleading information, prompting the commission to direct the newspaper to issue an apology.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by NMCC Chairman, Mr Eluem Izeze, and Interim Secretary, Feyi Smith, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.
In its 16-page decision, the NMCC stated that the story failed to meet the required standards of accuracy, fairness and balance, as outlined in the 2022 Revised Code of Conduct for Nigerian Journalists.
Samoa agreement had nothing on gay rights, $150 bln deal – FG
The ruling came after a complaint was filed by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, on behalf of the Federal Government, on July 8.
The report claimed that the Nigerian government had signed a 150 billion dollar partnership agreement with the European Union under the Samoa Agreement.
It also claimed that clauses requiring countries to support LGBTQ rights were included in the agreement as a condition for receiving aid.
“According to the NMCC’s findings, this claim was false.
“The 403-page Samoa Agreement contains no such provision or reference to LGBTQ issues, contrary to the Daily Trust report,” the statement said.
The ministry’s complaint, signed by Dr Ngozi Onwudiwe for Alhaji Mohammed Idris, the Minister, stated that the misleading report triggered hate speech, threats, and cyberbullying against government officials on social media.
The NMCC’s review process, led by a complaints committee, involved a thorough examination of documents submitted by both parties.
The Federal Government provided three documents, while Daily Trust presented 13.
After an exhaustive review, the NMCC concluded that the newspaper’s report showed a significant lapse in editorial judgment.
As a result, the NMCC instructed Daily Trust to publicly acknowledge that the report was inaccurate and misleading.
It was also instructed to publish an apology prominently in both its print and online editions, implement internal editorial reforms to prevent future occurrences and publish the NMCC’s findings within seven days.
The NMCC also criticised the Federal Government for failing to proactively disclose details of the Samoa Agreement to the public, noting that transparency would have prevented the spread of false information.
It noted the importance of openness in governance and urged the government to communicate more effectively with citizens.
The NMCC expressed gratitude to both the Federal Government and Daily Trust for cooperating with the commission’s investigation and reiterated its commitment to upholding journalistic standards and protecting press freedom.
The final report has been forwarded to both the Ministry of Information and Daily Trust.
The NMCC is an independent co-regulatory body established by the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), NUJ and others.
It provides a forum for resolving press complaints fairly, quickly, and free of charge, while upholding journalism standards and defending press freedom and public rights.
FG commends NMCC ruling
The Federal Government has commended the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC) over its ruling which faulted Daily Trust NewsPaper’s report on the Samoa agreement.
A statement signed by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, quoted the minister as praising the NMCC’s thorough investigation into the matter.
The minister specifically noted that Daily Trust’s report was misleading and violated the Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists.
He said the ruling reflects the importance of journalistic integrity and the media’s critical role in shaping public perception through accurate and balanced reporting.
“The public expects news outlets to adhere to professional ethics by ensuring that their reportage is truthful, fair and balanced.
“This is essential in preventing harmful reporting, like that seen in Daily Trust’s coverage of the Samoa Agreement,” the minister said.
The government emphasised the responsibility of a free press to report accurately and avoid misinformation.
The minister further emphasised the media’s commitment to truth as vital for holding governments and institutions accountable.
He welcomed the NMCC’s recommendation that Daily Trust issue a public apology and implement measures to prevent future instances of inaccurate reporting.
In response to calls for greater transparency, the government pledged to improve communication with the public on national matters to better inform Nigerians.
“The Federal Government is committed to fostering an environment where the media thrives while upholding the ethical standards fundamental to their profession.
“We urge all media organisations to maintain these standards and work collaboratively to provide accurate information, essential for a well-informed and active citizenry”.
The statement reiterated the government’s belief that the NMCC’s ruling should set a benchmark for journalistic excellence.
This, it added further strengthens the relationship between the media, the government, and the Nigerian people.
BRANDPOWER reports that the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), recently ruled that Daily Trust newspaper violated professional media standards in a report published on July 4.
The NMCC stated that the front-page story, titled “LGBT: Nigeria Signs $150 Billion Samoa Deal”, contained inaccurate and misleading information, prompting the commission to direct the newspaper to issue an apology.
