The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria has cautioned electronic and print media organizations to exercise restraint in their news coverage, reports and interviews so as not to run foul of the laws.
In a statement issued Tuesday by the National Coordinator of the Group, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, copy of which sent to The DEFENDER, it was noted “with serious concern” the negative impressions created by some electronic media organziations about Nigeria during and after the #ENDSARS protests, which gave the impression that national unity, stability and concord do not bother them.
“There were interviews conducted in which people spoke like being sponsors of the protests for political gains; as they went on criticizing government irrationally even after the government has accepted the demand of the protesters. Some of the so-called clergymen were making provocative and political comments to create disaffection among the people using ill-motivated Media Organizations to create chaos in Nigeria,” the statement said.
The group therefore commended the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for imposing fines and sanctions on some media outfits who fueled the crises through fake news and volatile negative comments.
“For example, the group said, many patriotic citizens of the country were flabbergasted when a popular electronic media carried a leading story that National Economical Centre, Abuja was on fire! This false story was repeated before one of the newscasters later refuted the story and stated that Generating Set of the Centre that went all fire! ALL WERE FALSE.
“How would a responsible Media not verify before a story especially negative one bothering on religion and ethnicity before running it on air?
“The plan of evil doers is to propel National Crisis that would cause religious chaos to set Nigeria ablaze. for their selfish and political interests. Patriotic Nigerians must commend the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for doing its job well through sanctioning any erring Media Organization,” it said.
The MMWG stated that broadcasting falsehood and later apologizing must no longer be tolerated as no one has monopoly of committing crimes at all times and apologizing always when such were willfully done.
“Muslim Media Watch described as unpatriotic and irresponsible to attempt to cause religious disaffection when any issue arises in Nigeria. It is highly regrettable! Would their eventual apology repair damaged in terms of human lives and property that would have been wasted?
“The MMWG condemned in strong terms SERAP and some clerics intimidating NBC as the Regulatory Body for responsible media broadcast for doing its job. It is sad that some media organizations are committed to irresponsible journalism and want the Government and Regulatory Bodies to fold their arms and watch helplessly.
“We commend NAN, VOICE OF NIGERIAN, NTA, FRCN, all private Media Organizations and States-owned Media Organizations all over the Country for their responsible media practice as they are not found to induge the fake news for any interest whatsoever. Those who promote chaos in Nigeria through the media deliberately must pay for their crimes.
“The Group called on Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON), and Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) to do what is right by condemning irresponsible journalism instead of supporting their erring colleagues.
“We Group warned sanctioned Media Organizations to stop using their platforms to intimidate and harass Federal Government and NBC over their own misdemeanor or using their platforms for religions and ethnic centiments. They must do what is right to justify their being in the League of those promoting responsible journalism,” the group said in the Abdullahi’s statement.
