Minister Of Information And Culture, Lai Mohammed, has described CNN Investigation aimed at revealing what transpired on the evening of Tuesday October 20 in Lekki were peaceful protesters were allegedly killed by the Army.
The Government puts it in clear terms as “a poor piece of journalistic work.”
CNN had published its investigation on the matter on Wednesday, indicating that there were indeed casualties from the open fire.
Reports by CNN buttresses the reports of the black Tuesday reported in details by Control TV of what happened at the toll gate.
But the minister, on Thursday, during a briefing on the aftermath of the protest, said the international news organisation engaged in incredible sensationalism and did a great disservice to itself and to journalism.
“Like everyone else, I watched the CNN report. I must tell you that it reinforces the disinformation that is going round, and it is blatantly irresponsible and a poor piece of journalistic work by a reputable international news organization.
CNN engaged in incredible sensationalism and did a great disservice to itself and to journalism. In the first instance, CNN, which touted its report as an exclusive investigative report, sadly relied on the same videos that have been circulating on social media, without verification.
“This is very serious and CNN should be sanctioned for that. CNN merely said the videos were ”obtained by CNN”, without saying wherefrom and whether or not it authenticated them. Were CNN reporters and cameramen at the Lekki Toll Gate that evening?
“If the answer is no, on what basis were they reporting? Relying on second or third hand information and presenting it as ”CNN Investigation”? Why didn’t the CNN balance its story by showing the compelling testimony of Brig.-Gen. Taiwo before the Judicial Panel in Lagos?
“Is this one-sided reporting what is expected from an international media organisation or any serious news organisation? If CNN had done its investigation properly, it would have known how fake news and disinformation were trending during the EndSARS crisis.
(C) Control TV 2020.
