The Federal Government of Nigeria has warned the United States television station CNN that it will take any action within the Nigerian laws to prevent it from aggravating the #ENDSARS crisis with “unprofessional, inciting” reporting that is capable of setting the country on fire.”
The Federal Government gave this warning in a letter to CNN dated Monday, November 23, 2020, and signed by the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed.
This warning came following an investigation by CNN, entitled ‘How a Bloody Night of Bullets Quashed a Young Protest Movement’ and aired on November 18, 2020, in which CNN said it had “uncovered that Nigerian security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters” at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos, Nigeria, during the #ENDSARS protest.
In the letter, the minister demanded an immediate and exhaustive investigation from CNN into the ‘investigative’ report as a form of remediation.
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The minister said the investigation to be done by CNN will among others, determine the authenticity of the investigative report it aired, whether or not it met the basic standards of journalism and also the selective use of unverified social media videos to “manipulate” public opinion.
“While it is up to CNN to accede or not, please note that the Federal Government reserves the right to take any action within its laws to prevent CNN from aggravating the ENDSARS crisis with unprofessional, irresponsible, one-sided, inciting and sensational reporting that is capable of pitching Nigerians against themselves and setting the country on fire,” the letter read.
The minister argued that the report did not live up to the most basic of the core principles of journalism – balance and fairness.
“We write to put on record that the report did not just fall short of journalistic standards, it reinforces the disinformation that is going around on the issue, it is blatantly irresponsible and it is a poor piece of journalistic work by a reputable international news organisation.
“Rushing to air such a momentous story without presenting the government’s side is inexcusable and indefensible. CNN said it contacted over 100 protesters and family members, but did not speak to one official of Nigeria’s Federal Government.
“While CNN said there was no response from the army and that officials of Lagos State would not speak in view of the Judicial Panel that is investigating the matter, it did not say what effort it made to speak with any official of the Federal Government.
