Amid drama surrounding the EndSARS Lekki shooting, the Federal Government has lodged a complaint with the headquarters of Cable News Network (CNN), demanding an immediate and exhaustive investigation into the report.
In a petition, the Nigerian Government threatened legal action and urged CNN to determine the authenticity of the report and its conformity to basic standards of journalism.
The government said in the petition addressed to Mr Jonathan Hawkins VP, Communications, CNN Centre Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., that if the international media organisation failed to carry out its demand, it will “take any action within its laws’’ to prevent CNN from aggravating the EndSARS crisis.
Dated Nov. 23, the petition was signed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and emailed to Persecondnews.
CNN had in the “investigative’’ report alleged that it ”uncovered that Nigerian security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters” at the Lekki Toll plaza during the EndSARS protest.
The CBN report entitled, “How a Bloody Night of Bullets Quashed a Young Protest Movement’’, was aired on Nov. 18, 2020.
According to the minister, the CNN failed to exhibit the journalism ethic of balance and fairness in the report but slanted the story to favour the reporter’s desired conclusion.
“Rushing to air such a momentous story without presenting the government’s side is inexcusable and indefensible.
“CNN said it contacted over 100 protesters and family members, but did not speak to one official of Nigeria’s federal government.
