National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC) Rules Against Daily Trust for False Reportage of Samoa Agreement

The National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC) has issued a ruling against Daily Trust newspaper following a formal complaint filed by the Nigerian government. The complaint centered around Daily Trust’s reporting on the Samoa Agreement, which the newspaper inaccurately claimed contained provisions related to LGBTQ support. After a thorough investigation, the NMCC concluded that the report was false and directed Daily Trust to issue a public apology for misleading the public.

The commission’s investigation found that the article violated several key principles of journalistic ethics and failed to adhere to the Revised Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists, 2022. The NMCC emphasized the importance of accuracy, fairness, and balance in news reporting, particularly when addressing sensitive issues like the Samoa Agreement.

Details of the Investigation

The NMCC’s investigation revealed that Daily Trust inaccurately claimed that the Samoa Agreement, which the Nigerian government signed, contained clauses mandating support for the LGBTQ community. This assertion was debunked when Daily Trust contacted Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi, media assistant to Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu. Mr. Adebiyi clarified that nowhere in the agreement was LGBTQ or same-sex marriage mentioned. Despite this clarification, Daily Trust proceeded to publish the misleading report.

The NMCC noted that while Daily Trust had the right to report on matters of national and global importance, as outlined in Articles 2.5 and 2.7 of the Code of Ethics, the newspaper failed to meet the ethical standards required under Articles 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.8. Specifically, the commission criticized the publication for failing to seek an accurate version of the Samoa Agreement before publishing the report. The NMCC stated that the version submitted by Daily Trust was identical to the one submitted by the federal government, which contained no references to LGBTQ issues.

Violations of the Revised Code of Ethics

The NMCC found Daily Trust in violation of several sections of the Revised Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists, 2022. Article 2.1 mandates that news reports be factual, accurate, and balanced. Daily Trust’s report failed to meet these criteria, leading to misinformation. Furthermore, Article 2.2, which requires journalists to exercise due diligence in verifying facts, was also breached. The commission highlighted that the newspaper did not take adequate steps to independently verify the content of the Samoa Agreement before publishing its report.

Additionally, Daily Trust violated Article 2.3, which emphasizes the duty of journalists to report as accurately as possible. By relying on opinions rather than verified facts, the publication breached this ethical requirement. Finally, the commission pointed out that the newspaper substituted sources’ opinions for factual reporting, contravening Article 2.8, which demands that journalists establish facts in their reporting.

The NMCC concluded that Daily Trust’s actions fell far short of the professional standards expected in journalism, particularly when dealing with sensitive subjects like LGBTQ rights, which remain controversial in Nigeria.

NMCC Recommendations and Directive to Daily Trust

In its final ruling, the NMCC made specific recommendations for Daily Trust to address its lapses. First, the commission directed the newspaper to acknowledge that its July 4, 2024, report on the Samoa Agreement was inaccurate and misleading. The NMCC also ordered Daily Trust to publish a prominent public apology in both its print and online editions, addressing the misinformation.

Additionally, Daily Trust was instructed to take internal editorial measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The commission emphasized that this case should serve as a reminder for media organizations to adhere to ethical journalism practices. Finally, the NMCC mandated that the newspaper publish the full report of the investigation within seven days of receiving the ruling.

The commission commended both the Nigerian government and Daily Trust for submitting themselves to the NMCC’s co-regulatory mechanism, highlighting the importance of accountability in the media.

The Role of Government in Transparency and Information Dissemination

While ruling against Daily Trust, the NMCC also addressed the government’s role in ensuring transparency and preventing misinformation. The commission noted that the government could have proactively made the Samoa Agreement publicly available to avoid speculation and conjecture. By failing to do so, the government allowed room for misinformation to spread.

The NMCC urged the Nigerian government to foster a culture of openness by providing timely and accurate information on matters of public interest. The commission argued that transparency is a crucial element of democratic governance, and governments must abolish any culture of secrecy that breeds mistrust among the citizenry.

In today’s digital age, where information can spread rapidly, the NMCC emphasized that both the government and the media have a duty to ensure that accurate information reaches the public. The commission called on all levels of government to improve their communication channels and engage citizens proactively to create an informed and active populace.

The NMCC’s ruling against Daily Trust serves as a significant reminder of the importance of ethical journalism in maintaining public trust. The false reportage of the Samoa Agreement not only misinformed the public but also raised concerns about the standards of news judgment in the Nigerian media. With the NMCC’s recommendations, it is expected that Daily Trust will take necessary actions to correct its mistakes and uphold the standards of accurate and responsible journalism in the future.