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The Federal Government has warned of potential legal actions against Daily Trust newspaper for allegedly spreading misinformation and fake news about the Samoa agreement. This was stated by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a press conference at the National Press Centre in Abuja on Saturday, July 6.
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Minister Idris raised concerns about the integrity of journalism and its impact on national perception and international relations. He cited the Samoa agreement report by Daily Trust as a major instance of misleading journalism, stating, “Such reporting not only misguides the public but also tarnishes the image of our nation.”
The Minister announced that the Federal Government plans to file an official complaint with the Newspapers Proprietors of Nigeria (NPAN) to address and rectify the journalistic standards employed by Daily Trust in reporting on government affairs. Additionally, the government is considering seeking redress in court to hold the newspaper accountable for allegedly spreading misinformation.
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According to Minister Idris: “The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has maintained an open-arm relationship with the media, in line with the President’s philosophy as an avowed democrat who has spent a lifetime fighting for the entrenchment of democracy and human rights. This administration has remained very tolerant of media criticism and guaranteed citizens’ rights to freedom of expression. However, it is disheartening that some elements are abusing this free environment guaranteed by the Government. We are alarmed by the level of reckless reporting and statements by some media organizations and individuals that border on national security and stability.
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“While we sometimes view and treat occasional reporting as part of the media’s normal work, we have now seen a pattern that is difficult to dismiss as normal journalism. The insidious and inciting publications by Daily Trust these past months have come across as a deliberate effort to tarnish the government’s image. We have restrained ourselves from believing this was the case, but the consistency of the jejune and mischievous publications leaves us with no option.
“In the aftermath of the coup in Niger Republic, Daily Trust promoted a biased narrative that the Federal Government was driving the country into a war and twisted it with regional sentiment to cause disaffection. The same newspaper gave a headline to a baseless accusation that the Government was working on establishing foreign military bases in the country. Neither Daily Trust nor the originators of that imaginative allegation provided any evidence.
“Then just two weeks ago, Daily Trust fabricated and popularized a lie that the Federal Government had renamed the Murtala Mohammed Expressway in Abuja to Wole Soyinka Way. In all those instances, the paper relied on falsehoods and hearsays, showing no remorse or humility to recant.
“We did not foresee that Daily Trust and those behind it could descend to the reckless level of attempting to set the country on fire by falsely accusing the government of signing a deal to promote LGBTQ. We found that despicable and wicked because the allegation is nowhere in the signed document. Surprisingly, the paper provided no evidence nor the agreement allegedly signed to prove their point.
“The baseless and sensational story unfortunately became the basis for khutba (sermons) by some of our respected imams who were misled by the story, thereby raising tempers.
“On the part of the Government, we continue on the honourable path of civility by restraining ourselves from taking self-help or draconian measures. While past governments clamped down on the media for infractions much lower than this, we are toeing the path of civility and the rule of law.
“This afternoon, I have the Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning to provide more clarity on this issue. Beyond this, the Federal Government is lodging a formal complaint to the NPAN Ombudsman on this irresponsible reporting. In addition, the Federal Government will use every lawful means to seek redress in the court of law.
“The Federal Government once again restates its friendly policy towards ethical media and free speech. We would, however, not take fake news and disinformation that would injure the peace of our country and its national security lightly. We once again thank you for your support and cooperation
