By Aaior K. Comfort

The Federal Government has expressed its approval of the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), also known as the Ombudsman, for its recent ruling against the Daily Trust newspaper regarding inaccuracies in a report on the Samoa Agreement.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasized the significance of journalistic integrity and the media’s critical role in shaping public perception through accurate reporting. He stated that the NMCC found the Daily Trust report not only inaccurate but also in violation of the Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists.

Idris highlighted the expectation that news outlets adhere to professional standards to ensure factual, fair, and balanced coverage. “The public expects that news outlets will strictly follow professional ethics to avoid injurious reporting like that of Daily Trust,” he said.

While acknowledging the importance of a free press as a pillar of democracy, Idris reminded the media that with this freedom comes the responsibility to report news accurately and without misinformation. “Only through a commitment to truth can the media effectively hold the government and institutions accountable,” he added.

The NMCC’s recommendations included a directive for Daily Trust to publicly apologize for its false report and implement measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The government welcomed these recommendations and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and proactive information dissemination on matters of public interest.

Idris urged media organizations to uphold ethical standards and collaborate to provide accurate information, vital for fostering an informed citizenry. He noted, “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.”

The government viewed the NMCC ruling as a benchmark for journalistic excellence, aiming to strengthen the relationship between the media and the public. “Let this ruling by the NMCC serve as a benchmark for journalistic excellence, strengthening the bonds between the media, the government, and the people of Nigeria,” it stated.

On July 4, 2024, Daily Trust published a front-page story titled “LGBT: Nigeria Signs $150 Billion Samoa Deal,” claiming the Federal Government had endorsed a European Union partnership agreement. The NMCC, after reviewing the complaint from the Ministry of Information, found the article inaccurate.

However, the commission also criticized the Federal Government for its handling of issues related to the Samoa Agreement, suggesting that greater openness and transparency could have alleviated conjectures surrounding the deal. Ultimately, the NMCC called on Daily Trust to apologize for its inaccurate reporting.