Media OMBUDSMAN Dismisses False Reports Regarding the SAMOA Agreement. Said Bayo Onanuga

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has disclosed via his verified X account that the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC) has ruled against Daily Trust newspapers following a complaint lodged by the Nigerian government concerning the newspaper's coverage of the Samoa Agreement. The NMCC has mandated the publication to issue a public apology for its inaccurate reporting on the agreement's content. This decision was reached after a thorough investigation by the commission, which involved all relevant parties. Onanuga stated, "The NMCC is dedicated to offering the public an independent platform for addressing media-related complaints, ensuring that all grievances are resolved promptly and equitably. This commitment aims to uphold high standards of journalistic practice and ethics while also safeguarding press freedom and the public's right to information."

INVESTIGATION DETAILS: The report indicated that the Daily Trust's assertion that the Samoa Agreement included clauses obligating underdeveloped and developing nations to endorse LGBTQ community demands was both inaccurate and misleading. Notably, the same report from July 4, 2024, mentioned that when the newspaper reached out to Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi, media assistant to the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, it was explicitly stated that "nowhere in the documents (Agreement) were LGBTQ or same-sex marriage mentioned even remotely." Given this clarification, the Daily Trust should have acknowledged this contradiction in its reporting and referenced the pertinent sections of the Samoa Agreement to substantiate its claims. The Daily Trust deserves recognition for its engagement with a story of significant national and global relevance, as outlined in Articles 2.5 and 2.7 of the Code of Ethics. However, its adherence to other critical provisions of the Code, specifically Articles 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.8, is less commendable. Consequently, it is determined that the article in question lacked factual accuracy, balance, and fairness, thereby contravening Article 2.1 of the Revised Code of Ethics, 2022. Furthermore, the report published on July 4, 2024, was found to violate Article 2.2. The assertion of uncertainty regarding the version of the Samoa Agreement signed by the federal government does not absolve the Daily Trust, as it failed to demonstrate that it sought a copy of the signed agreement from the Complainant and was denied access. Additionally, the report did not indicate that the Daily Trust independently verified the information prior to its publication. The version of the Samoa Agreement submitted to the NMCC by the Daily Trust was identical to that provided by the Federal Government, which made no mention of LGBTQ issues. This indicates that the article was rushed, inaccurate, and misleading, in violation of the due diligence required by Article 2.2. Despite being alerted to the inaccuracies and misleading content of the report, the Daily Trust did not take timely action to issue a correction. It is concluded that the Daily Trust breached Article 2.3 of the Revised Code of Ethics, 2022, as it failed to fulfill its obligation to report with the utmost accuracy. Moreover, the lack of substantial effort to ascertain the relevant facts in its reporting, coupled with the apparent substitution of the opinions of its sources for factual information, constitutes a violation of Article 2.8 of the Revised Code of Ethics, 2022. The reporting provided by the Daily Trust did not meet the professional standards outlined in the 2022 Revised Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists. Furthermore, its coverage of a highly sensitive issue in Nigeria fell short of the professional reputation it claims to uphold. It is concerning that the Daily Trust took over two months to recognize its missteps and implement corrective measures as stipulated by the 2022 Revised Code of Conduct for Nigerian Journalists. The NMCC also emphasized to the government the importance of transparency and accountability as fundamental components of the democratic process, essential for fostering and maintaining public trust. The commission noted that making the Agreement publicly accessible at an earlier stage would have significantly aided in informing the public, allowing those interested to review the details. Such transparency would have mitigated the inevitable conjectures and speculations that arise when citizens feel deprived of their right to information. In this digital era, the key takeaway is that proactive information sharing by all government offices and levels regarding matters of public interest is essential for effective democratic governance. The government and its institutions must work to eliminate the existing culture of secrecy, which conveys a sense of contempt for citizens. Instead, the government should actively pursue the creation of a knowledgeable society, fostering an informed and engaged citizenry. Mr. Onanuga emphasized the commission's recommendations in light of the aforementioned context, indicating that the NMCC has instructed the Daily Trust newspaper to undertake appropriate remedial actions, specifically to: 1. Unambiguously acknowledge that its reporting on the matter was both inaccurate and misleading, as the handling of the report demonstrated a failure in news judgment and did not meet the standards outlined in the 2022 Revised Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists. 2. Issue a prominent apology in both the print and online versions of the Daily Trust. 3. Implement necessary internal editorial measures to avert similar incidents in the future. 4. Publish the NMCC's report regarding this issue within seven days of its receipt. Additionally, the NMCC praised both the Complainant and the Respondent for their willingness to engage with the co-regulatory framework provided by the National Media Complaints Commission.