The federal government has welcomed the release of the report of investigation conducted by the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), also known as the Ombudsman, into a complaint made to it against the Daily Trust by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement released Tuesday by his special assistant, Rabiu Ibrahim, hailed the decision of the Ombudsman.
The commission, in its 19-page report, said after scrutinising the complaint of the government, as well as the response of the newspaper, which it had sought and obtained, found the Daily Trust story complained about as “inaccurate”.
The NMCC, however, also accused the federal government of poor handling of issues around the Samoa Agreement it signed, stating that had the government demonstrated “greater openness, transparency and accountability” in dealing with matters relating to it, “the attendant conjectures and speculations about the content of the Samoa Agreement could have been avoided.”
The Ombudsman, nonetheless, asked the Daily Trust to issue an apology for the inaccuracies in its report on the Samoa Agreement.
According to the federal government, the verdict underlines the importance of journalistic integrity and responsibility, stressing the media’s vital role in shaping public perception through factual reporting.
The government highlighted the public’s expectation for news outlets to adhere to professional ethics, ensuring that their reporting is true, fair and balanced.
“The federal government recognises that a free press is a pillar of democracy but with this freedom comes the responsibility to report news in a manner that is accurate and devoid of misinformation. It is only through this commitment to truth that the media can effectively hold the government and institutions accountable.
“The federal government appreciates the recommendations made by the NMCC, including the directive to Daily Trust to issue a public apology for its false report on the Samoa Agreement and take measures to prevent future occurrence.
“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 about matters of public interest.
“The federal government is committed to fostering an environment where the media thrives while also remaining accountable to the ethical standards of the profession.
“We call on all media organisations to continue to uphold these standards and work collaboratively in the dissemination of accurate information, which is essential for a well-informed and active citizenry.
“Let this ruling by the National Media Complaints Commission against Daily Trust serve as a benchmark for journalistic excellence, and also strengthen the bonds between the media, the government and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement partly read.