Nigerian media watchdog investigates reports on Samoa Treaty

Nigeria’s media watchdog, the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCN), has received a formal complaint from the Federal Government regarding a report published by the Daily Trust on July 4.

The newspaper has reported
titled: “LGBT: Nigeria Signs $150 Billion Samoa Deal,” claims that the agreement includes a clause promoting LGBTQ+ rights as a condition for the $150 billion loan.

However, the federal government has denied the claims as “false and misleading information that seriously threatens national security.

This development comes amid controversy surrounding the Samoa Treaty itself.

The agreement, a framework for the European Union’s relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, has come under public scrutiny in Nigeria.

The federal government also stressed that it did not violate national sovereignty or social values.

READ ALSO: DPR urges Nigerian government to delay implementation of Samoa Treaty

Nigeria’s leading newspaper, Daily Trust, has acknowledged “some errors” in its reporting and promised to take corrective action. However, the extent of these improvements and the newspaper’s response to the FG complaint remain unclear.

The NMCC, in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman and Interim Secretary, Eluem Izeze and Feyi Smith, respectively, said it had acknowledged the federal government’s complaints and promised to give it the necessary attention.

The statement read: “Daily Trust management will be contacted shortly for their response.

“In accordance with this mandate and established procedures, we have initiated an investigation into the government’s allegations. We assure the public that our investigation will be thorough and impartial.

“We hope to receive full cooperation from all parties involved and pledge to continue to ensure transparency in this process.”

The NMCN investigation will uncover the accuracy of Daily Trust’s reporting and determine whether journalistic ethics were violated.

The case has significant implications for the Nigerian media, raising questions about fact-checking, responsible reporting and the potential impact of inaccurate information on national security.

Nigerian media watchdog investigates reports on Samoa Treaty first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.