On Thursday, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, warned that traditional media companies in the country are doing themselves a harm by regurgitating unfavorable information about the country released by their overseas counterparts.
InsightnaijaTV reports that, the Minister revealed this in Abuja while briefing journalists on a recent article by The Economist claiming that the Jihadist danger in the North-east has’metastasized’ to the point where terrorists are carving out a Caliphate in the region.
He reminded journalists of “before Dec. 2015 when I led a team of local and international journalists to Bama in Borno state, Boko Haram established the headquarters of its so-called Caliphate in that town (Bama), where it hoisted its flag, collected taxes as well as installed and removed Emirs at will. Today, Boko Haram has no Caliphate anywhere in Nigeria. Yet, the Nigerian press regurgitated that report by The Economist”.
While dismissing the report as patently incorrect and poorly researched, Mohammed expressed regret that the story was quickly amplified by the local media without even questioning its content, emphasizing that such practice is completely contrary to Nigerian media’s reputation for independence and vibrancy.
“Why would the Nigerian media become an echo chamber for a foreign newspaper that denigrates the Nigerian military and makes light of the sacrifices of our valiant troops? Would the British or American press regurgitate a report in the Nigerian press denigrating their militaries?” he asked
The Minister went on to state that “I do not believe that the Nigerian media hates this country, neither will I agree that the media does not appreciate our military. But I appeal to you to stop endorsing the denigration of our country, our military, our institutions by some unscrupulous foreign media. By regurgitating their inaccurate stories about Nigeria, you are endorsing their stand. The Nigerian media was mandated to be a watchdog, not a lapdog.”
I want to to thank you for this excellent read!! I certainly enjoyed every little bit of it. I’ve got you book marked to check out new stuff you post
I was extremely pleased to find this website. I wanted to thank you for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely liked every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff on your blog.
Everything is very open with a precise explanation of the issues. It was really informative. Your website is extremely helpful. Thank you for sharing!
This is the right blog for anybody who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally would want toHaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic that’s been written about for many years. Excellent stuff, just great!