Samoa agreement: FG drags Daily Trust to Nigerian Press Council

we get it right, but we don’t expect that we will just sit down and keep quiet when government feels that what a particular newspaper has written is not in the best interest of the country and it is not correct, it is misinformation and therefore action needs to be taken and the action we have taken is that as we speak now lodged a complaint with the ombudsman.”

He also said: “There was also a discussion on the report by the Newspaper, report that we have commented about in the past and the position of government on that report. The federal government insists that that report on the Samoa agreement was misleading, it was false and designed to create confusion in the land.

“My ministry briefed the Federal Executive Council on all the steps we have taken, including writing to the industry’s own ombudsman with a view to drawing the attention of the NewsPaper about that very misleading report. We expect that the industry’s ombudsman will look at that dispassionately and FEC will be patient to await the report of the ombudsman.

“Suffice to say, that the Federal Government views that report by the Newspaper very seriously and is urging members of the Press to please report responsibly in the interest of our country.

“FEC also stated its commitment to media freedom and the freedom of expression in this country. Like we have said overtime, there is no intention whatsoever for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to gag the press or be seen in any way working in the way of media freedom or press freedom.

“More than ever before, government is committed to ensuring that the media, will continue to operate in an environment that is very friendly and supportive of their work as a strong pillar for the continuous enthronement of democracy in our land. We like we have said over and over again we call on the Nigerian media to please show restrain in the kind of reporting that they provide for Nigerians. So that fake news and misinformation will have no place in our society.”

Fagbemi on his own part, said, “The Minister of Information and National Orientation has just told you about the disturbing report by Daily Trust, that is being handled because we are conscious of press freedom and if you notice this administration has not and will not tamper with press freedom and it will not particularly because if you know the President, he has been an ardent supporter and believer in press freedom, in fact that is what got him up to this point.

“He is conscious of that, not only in press freedom, but in fundamental human rights as enshrined in the constitution. That is been taken up, because we want to ensure that we give it all necessary and friendly attention before we take any further steps if it fails. I hope it doesn’t fail.

“Generally government MDAs are available if there is any area that members of the Press will like to clear and the freedom of information act is alive and been rigorously honoured and in operation. So I will advice that if there is any information that the members of the Press require, it should be channelled to the appropriate MDAs before going to press.”