• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • NAHCON

      Renewed Hope in Hajj Operations: NAHCON Records Milestone Achievements Under Tinubu…

      Mohammed Idris Malagi, Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation

      FG Reaffirms Non-Interference in ICPC, EFCC Operations

      ICPC Secures Conviction of Rector for Running Unaccredited Degree Programmes

      Engr Abba Babagana Dalori

      Engr Dalori Forfeits Galaxy Hospital, Petrol Station, Properties & Cash

      Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • FG, States, LGs Share N2.225trn Revenue for August – FAAC

      Nigeria Customs Aligns with Finance Ministry over 4% FOB Policy Review

      Members Board of Directors of Dangote Refinery

      Dangote Refinery Deploys 4,000 CNG Trucks, Promises 24,000 Jobs as Fuel…

      Renewed Hope in Central Banking

      Book Review: Renewed Hope in Central Banking – A Blueprint for…

      NAHCON

      Renewed Hope in Hajj Operations: NAHCON Records Milestone Achievements Under Tinubu…

  • National
    • Sowore vs DSS: Free Speech or Defamation? By Mohammed Bego Abdullahi

      NAF Air Strikes Kill Scores of Terrorists, Destroy Enclaves in Borno

      FG, States, LGs Share N2.225trn Revenue for August – FAAC

      Tinubu Lifts State of Emergency in Rivers, Reinstates Fubara, Legislators

      Crowned Prince Salman of Saudi Arabia

      Saudi Frees Nigerian Pilgrims Framed by Drug Syndicate

    • Government
      • Court Dismisses Suit Seeking to Bar ICPC from Probing Bauchi Security…

        Kano’s Corruption Storm: A Test of Media Ethics and Public Relations…

        Sowore vs DSS: Free Speech or Defamation? By Mohammed Bego Abdullahi

        FG, States, LGs Share N2.225trn Revenue for August – FAAC

        ICPC Secures Six-Year Jail Term for Sokoto River Basin Director

  • Security
    • NDLEA Logo

      NDLEA Hands Over Intercepted 60 Cartons of Pregabalin to NAFDAC in…

      Police Officer

      Imo Police Raid IPOB/ESN Hideout, Arrest 18 Suspects, Recover Arms

      Troops Raid Illegal Arms Factory in Plateau, Arrest Suspect, Recover Weapons

      NAF Air Strikes Kill Scores of Terrorists, Destroy Enclaves in Borno

      ICPC Secures Six-Year Jail Term for Sokoto River Basin Director

  • Features
    • Kano’s Corruption Storm: A Test of Media Ethics and Public Relations…

      Sowore vs DSS: Free Speech or Defamation? By Mohammed Bego Abdullahi

      A Group of Terrorists/Bandits

      Nigeria Fights Back Against Banditry and Insecurity By Senator Iroegbu

      A Group of Terrorists/Bandits

      Nigeria Fights Back Against Banditry and Insecurity

      Engr. Suleiman Bolakale Kawu Agaka

      Engr. Kawu: A Heroic Homecoming for a Man of the People…

  • State
    • Court Dismisses Suit Seeking to Bar ICPC from Probing Bauchi Security…

      NDLEA Logo

      NDLEA Hands Over Intercepted 60 Cartons of Pregabalin to NAFDAC in…

      Police Officer

      Imo Police Raid IPOB/ESN Hideout, Arrest 18 Suspects, Recover Arms

      Kano’s Corruption Storm: A Test of Media Ethics and Public Relations…

      ICPC Secures Six-Year Jail Term for Sokoto River Basin Director

  • Event
    • Chairman NAHCON Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman meets with Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda

      NAHCON Boss Meets Katsina Governor, Pushes for Early 2026 Hajj Payments,…

      Flier for the programs that happened for the elderly by members of BUKAA FCT

      BUKAA FCT Appreciates Sponsors after Aerobics, Football Exercises

      Prof. Abubakar Mu’azu

      UNIMAID appoints Prof. Mu’azu as Pioneer Dean, Faculty of Communication

      NIPR President Ike Neliaku

      NIPR Inducts 422 New Members, Urges Commitment to National Unity

      Baze University Management visits TETFUND, Showcases Tech-Driven Growth, National Impact

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home Features SAMOA Agreement and Imperative of Responsible Journalism in Nigeria
  • Features

SAMOA Agreement and Imperative of Responsible Journalism in Nigeria

By
Kabir Abdulsalam
-
July 11, 2024
Mohammed Idris Malagi, Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation
Mohammed Idris Malagi, Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation

SAMOA Agreement and Imperative of Responsible Journalism in Nigeria

By Kabir Abdulsalam

A recent spat between the federal government and Daily Trust, a frontline national newspaper, linking the Samoa Deal to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights, has sparked a heated debate, which is reverberating through the country’s media and political firmaments.

Over time, Daily Trust has earned a reputation as one of the most authoritative and trusted media houses in the country. Its style of journalism, truth be told, is one that is devoid of sensationalism.

However, with the case of samoa agreement, the government accused the newspaper of misleading and harmful reporting, prompting critical questions about the limits of press freedom, the transparency of those in power, and the vital role a free press plays in holding those in power accountable in a democratic society.

The story, published last Thursday with the headline, “LGBTQ: Knocks as Nigeria signs $150 billion Samoa deal,” reported concerns by a section of the Nigerian religious and civil society communities over clauses that allegedly mandate LGBT rights in the $150 billion Samoa Agreement signed by FG.

While many may not be aware of the deal, the Samoa agreement aims to unite nations against shared threats like climate change, inequality, and environmental degradation. It promotes eco-friendly practices, fair trade, and international teamwork to create a better future.

Despite its noble goals, the agreement’s rollout in Nigeria has been marred by challenges and controversies. Misinterpreted language and sensationalism have fueled the backlash.

The Daily Trust story on the agreement was premised on an opinion article by Sonnie Ekwowusi, a Lagos-based lawyer.

However, a fact-check article published by Premium Times found no evidence to support the claims and revealed that LGBT clauses were contained in the initial draft of the Samoa Agreement, but protests by some member European states, including Nigeria, forced them to abolish the clauses in the final document. The 172-page document, according to the fact-check, found no mention of LGBT rights or any language that could be interpreted as promoting or legalizing LGBT rights.

Providing details about the deal at a media briefing in Abuja on Saturday, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris Malagi, stated that the Federal Government delayed its consent to allow a thorough review and ensure no clause in the agreement contravene Nigerian laws.

The Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has also said that it has reviewed the agreement and found no clauses forcing Nigeria to legalize LGBTQ practices, marriages, etc.

In agreement with this stance, Yakubu Maikyau, the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), characterized the Samoa Agreement as a guiding framework. He revealed that the NBA had the opportunity to review the agreement before Nigeria’s government signed it and emphasized that the agreement prioritizes respect for the laws and sovereignty of each participating nation.

Meanwhile, the minister cited several instances of Daily Trust’s alleged reckless reporting, including the false accusation that the federal government had signed a deal to promote LGBTQ rights, claims that the government was establishing foreign military bases in the country, and a fabricated story that the government had renamed the Murtala Mohammed Expressway after Wole Soyinka.

This incident highlights the importance of responsible journalism in nation-building and the need for media to remain apolitical in their reporting.

Read Also:

  • Court Dismisses Suit Seeking to Bar ICPC from Probing Bauchi Security Votes
  • NDLEA Hands Over Intercepted 60 Cartons of Pregabalin to NAFDAC in Kano
  • Imo Police Raid IPOB/ESN Hideout, Arrest 18 Suspects, Recover Arms

Responsible journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and influencing policy decisions. Media outlets have a responsibility to the public to report accurately and fairly, avoiding sensationalism and bias.

Sensationalism and bias can have harmful consequences, inciting hatred and violence, and undermining national security and stability.

Responsible journalism, on the other hand, promotes informed decision-making and nation-building. Pundits have argued that media have an obligation to be aware of the role the media may or may not play in spreading and amplifying falsehoods.

Media outlets must prioritize accuracy, fairness, and balance in their reporting, avoiding sensationalism and bias. By doing so, they can contribute to informed decision-making and the betterment of society.

Farooq A. Kperogi, in his critique of the Samoa Agreement controversy, chastised Daily Trust for its subpar journalism. He noted that the newspaper failed to provide concrete evidence from the agreement itself to support its claims of Nigeria’s alleged commitment to LGBTQ-friendly policies.

 

Instead, it relied on an unnamed report and sought out individuals to validate its unverified information, creating a cycle of misinformation.

Kperogi termed this practice as “circular reporting,” where a fabricated claim is spread through multiple sources and then presented as factual. He emphasized that this approach creates a false narrative, essentially manufacturing a story from thin air.

Despite the public having a right to accurate information, media outlets must respect this right. Responsible journalism is essential for a healthy democracy, promoting transparency and accountability. In a democratic society, the government should embrace a free press, even when it is critical, as a necessary check on its power.

Although, in this mix of tension, the organization has sought ways to clarify its position on this. In a statement, the company’s secretary/legal adviser admitted to lapses in their reporting, saying, “We have also acknowledged lapses in our reporting on this particular matter, pointed out by professional colleagues, and we will review and take appropriate measures.”

She went further to say, “As our editors understood it, the Samoa Agreement signed by Nigeria has expanded the definition of gender rights, from the traditional male-female, to a new norm, captured by the term LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender).”

A notable aspect of the minister’s remarks was the government’s decision to file a formal complaint with the NPAN Ombudsman, seeking legal recourse for the harm incurred. This approach demonstrates a preference for resolving the matter internally within the media industry, rather than pursuing litigation.

Sincerely, adopting this course of action, the government showcases its commitment to finding a harmonious solution that benefits all stakeholders, thereby maintaining a positive trajectory for the media landscape.

In light of this incident, it is clear that responsible journalism is crucial in nation-building, and media outlets must prioritize accuracy, fairness, and balance in their reporting, avoiding sensationalism and bias.

The government, on the other hand, must work together with the media to ensure that reporting is accurate, fair, and balanced, and that the public has access to reliable information. Only then can we build a nation that is founded on truth, transparency, and accountability.

Let us embrace responsible journalism and promote a culture of fact-based reporting. Only then can we build a nation that is founded on truth, transparency, and accountability.

 

Kabir writes from Abuja, can be reached via [email protected]

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • (LGBT)
  • Daily Trust
  • Mohammed Idris Malagi
  • Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs
Previous articleMilitary Troops Engage Terrorists in Taraba, Kill 3, Free 2 Civilians
Next articleAfrican Anti-corruption Day: AFRICMIL Urges Governments to Make Laws to Protect Whistleblowers
Kabir Abdulsalam
Kabir Abdulsalam
Xing

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Kano’s Corruption Storm: A Test of Media Ethics and Public Relations By Umar Babangida

Sowore vs DSS: Free Speech or Defamation? By Mohammed Bego Abdullahi

A Group of Terrorists/Bandits

Nigeria Fights Back Against Banditry and Insecurity By Senator Iroegbu

A Group of Terrorists/Bandits

Nigeria Fights Back Against Banditry and Insecurity

Engr. Suleiman Bolakale Kawu Agaka

Engr. Kawu: A Heroic Homecoming for a Man of the People By Adegboyega Ajadi

Prof Isa Pantami, former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy

Gombe Tech Training: Pantami’s Call for a Paradigm Shift By Muhd El-Bonga Ibraheem

Healing Nigeria: A Chronicle of Health Reforms

Book Review: Is This the Cure? A Look into Healing Nigeria By Hanniel Noboh

Diplomacy and Digital Innovation – Youth Insight

Book Review: Reshaping Diplomacy Through Digital Innovation – A Gen-Z Outlook By Bilkisu Ahmed Shekarau

Renewed Hope in Central Banking

Book Review: Renewed Hope in Central Banking – A Blueprint for Nigeria’s Economic Future By Khadijah Lawan Muhammad

Charlie Kirk

Who Really Killed Charlie Kirk? By Femi Fani-Kayode

Officers of NSCDC Mining Marshals

Mining Marshals and the Fight for Nigeria’s Mineral Future By Zekeri Idakwo Laruba

Omoyele Sowore, Bayo Ononuga and Adeola Ajayi

Sowore’s Provocation, Onanuga’s Plea and the DSS Overreach

Recent Posts

  • Court Dismisses Suit Seeking to Bar ICPC from Probing Bauchi Security Votes
  • NDLEA Hands Over Intercepted 60 Cartons of Pregabalin to NAFDAC in Kano
  • Imo Police Raid IPOB/ESN Hideout, Arrest 18 Suspects, Recover Arms
  • Kano’s Corruption Storm: A Test of Media Ethics and Public Relations By Umar Babangida
  • Troops Raid Illegal Arms Factory in Plateau, Arrest Suspect, Recover Weapons
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
Court Dismisses Suit Seeking to Bar ICPC from Probing Bauchi Security VotesNDLEA Hands Over Intercepted 60 Cartons of Pregabalin to NAFDAC in KanoImo Police Raid IPOB/ESN Hideout, Arrest 18 Suspects, Recover ArmsKano’s Corruption Storm: A Test of Media Ethics and Public Relations By Umar BabangidaTroops Raid Illegal Arms Factory in Plateau, Arrest Suspect, Recover WeaponsSowore vs DSS: Free Speech or Defamation? By Mohammed Bego AbdullahiNAF Air Strikes Kill Scores of Terrorists, Destroy Enclaves in BornoFG, States, LGs Share N2.225trn Revenue for August – FAACICPC Secures Six-Year Jail Term for Sokoto River Basin DirectorNAHCON Boss Meets Katsina Governor, Pushes for Early 2026 Hajj Payments, Promises Easier ExerciseKaduna Police Arrest Two Suspects Over Illegal Possession of FirearmsTinubu Lifts State of Emergency in Rivers, Reinstates Fubara, LegislatorsBadaru Joins Global Leaders at Beijing Forum on Peace, SecuritySaudi Frees Nigerian Pilgrims Framed by Drug SyndicateTroops Ambush Bandits in Plateau, Neutralise One 
X whatsapp