June 9, 2014
The Editor,
The Nation on Sunday,
27B Fatai Atere Way,
Matori, Lagos
RE: JONATHAN’S WAR AGAINST THE MEDIA
The attention of the Nigerian Press Council has been drawn to The Nation on Sunday’s editorial of June 8, 2014, titled “Jonathan’s war against the media” where it was indicated that a directive to broadcast stations across the Country, including the TV Continental and Channels TV, stating that henceforth, no live political programme should air without clearance 48 hours before broadcast was issued by the Nigerian Press Council.
The Council states unequivocally that it did not issue such directive, since its purview does not include oversight of broadcast media and its content.
The Council will urge The Nation on Sunday newspaper to always crosscheck its facts before publication and as a veritable medium of public records, any derogation from this time tested ethical imperative, will negate public trust.
We need to state that factual, accurate, balance and fair reporting is the ultimate objective of good journalism and the basis of earning public trust and confidence. Therefore, it behooves on your newspaper to refrain from publishing inaccurate and misleading information.
The Council requests a retraction of the wrong and misleading information.
Nnamdi Njemanze,
Ag. Executive Secretary