The Federal Government has berated US-based Cable News Network for its coverage of the #EndSARS protest in Lekki area of Lagos saying “CNN breached the most basic of the core principles of journalism – balance and fairness.”

The goverment also demanded “an immediate and exhaustive investigation from CNN into its ‘investigative’ report on the Lekki Toll Gate incident to determine, among others, its authenticity.”


The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated this in his letter to Jonathan Hawkins, VP (Communications) in CNN Centre Atlanta, Georgia.

The letter dated November 23 2020 entitled ‘Re: How a bloody night of bullets quashed a young protest movement’, was obtained by THE PUNCH in Abuja on Monday.

The letter reads, “Our attention has been drawn to an ‘investigation’ by CNN, entitled ‘How a Bloody Night of Bullets Quashed a Young Protest Movement’ and aired on 18 Nov. 2020, in which the international news organization said it had ”uncovered that Nigerian security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters” at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, Nigeria, during the #EndSARS protest.


“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 organization.

“In the first instance, the report did not live up to the most basic of the core principles of journalism – balance and fairness. According to the website www.ethics.journalists.org, ”balance and fairness are classic buzzwords of journalism ethics: In objective journalism, stories must be balanced in the sense of attempting to present all sides of a story. Fairness means that a journalist should strive for accuracy and truth in reporting, and not slant a story so a reader draws the reporter’s desired conclusion.”

So much for punishing CNN. I was looking forward to how the sanctions would be placed on CNN, only to have the government writing petition. SMH.
I maintain, the best way to punish CNN and any other perceived purveyors of false news is not threats, grandstanding or senseless sanctions. Just prove beyond doubt that there was no shooting. Don't have the Army saying one thing, Lagos State Governor another and Nigerian Government yet another. Conflicting signals only point to the fact that there is something to hide.

Which of the questions they asked did you answer as a responsible government.

Liar MoreHarmMade Ur punishment from UK is loading..........98℅

matters arising

The fact that the government off the light at lekki and removed the cameras does not mean the soldiers came to shoot at protesters. Even if they shot at protesters, the protesters didn't die. CNN must be sanctioned for insulting our sweet daddy.


Make una no too blame me, im just an upcoming BMC.

I supposed that's DJ switch at UK parliament committee??

Arysexy:
Liar MoreHarmMade Ur punishment from UK is loading..........98℅

He who kills in order to live meets death at the gate of his success. Killing of innocent citizens who are legally protesting against bad governance is a grave crime against humanity. You may be clever enough to escape human probe, judgements and sanctions. But I tell you the truth, a day is coming when the blood will cry out. The blood of the oppressed poor is difficult to appease. A word for only for wise.

See kettle calling pot black! When you talk of lacking balance and fairness, Lair Moreharmmade's reports and utterances lacks them the most.

Never4getU:
I supposed that's DJ switch at UK parliament committee??

No, Nigerian/UK Parliamentarian. She mentioned DJ switch witchunting and freezing of accounts and harassment of endsars protesters.

Good

Petition
Are zombie no longer sanctioning them

Meanwhile

Lai Mohammed is still disgracing himself and Nigeria by pushing this his lies international.He will surely meet his Waterloo.