—Urges Him To Retract Publication, Tender Apology To Otuaro
The Media Advocacy Group (MAG) has exposed Sahara Reporters’ malicious campaign against the Presidential Amnesty Programme, saying it was time to end the madness of Sahara Reporters’ jungle journalism.
In a Press Statement on Monday and signed by Mr Abiodun Sobanjo (Convener), for and on behalf of Media Advocacy Group (MAG), the Lagos based group said that Sahara Reporters’ made false and unfounded allegations regarding the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
MAG stated that it is not often they come together as professionals to condemn one of our own, adding that Sahara Reporters indulgence in rogue journalism has become an embarrassment that should not be ignored.
According to the group, the online publication’s unethical practices taint the time honoured reputation of men and women engaged in professional journalism.
Its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, the group said is often in the news for bad behaviour, saying that Sowore goads himself in borrowed garment of saintism and lays claim to false integrity and that he is more of a troubled soul than a social Activist.
The Group said that another of his egregious journalistic malfeasance came to light recently, through courtesy of his online rag, Sahara Reporters, revealing that; “It made false and unfounded allegations regarding the Presidential Amnesty Programme”.
“This blatant display of rogue journalism is an affront to the very fabric of our profession, and it is our duty to condemn such reprehensible behaviour.Sowore and his publication cannot differentiate nor draw the borderline between professional etiquette and violation of the rights of fellow citizens”, the group said.
MAG stated that Sahara Reporters’ publisher, Omoyele Sowore, has a well-documented history of unethical practices, including his current entanglement in an American court for slanderous publications against a Nigerian, adding that his penchant for sensationalism and disregard for factual accuracy is a stain on the journalistic community.
“The recent publication in question is a glaring example of Sowore’s modus operandi”, the group said.
The Group said that by doctoring the 2020/2021 Auditor-General’s Report to make it appear recent, Sahara Reporters aimed to discredit the Presidential Amnesty Programme and its Coordinator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro.
The Group wrote; “This deliberate attempt to deceive the public is a clear violation of journalistic ethics. It’s sad that Sahara Reporters and its handlers accepted to dust up an old Auditor- General’s report on the financial activities of the Amnesty Programme, apparently on the prompting of some disgruntled elements who have lost their shady sources of revenue upon the appointment of Dr. Dennis Otuaro”.
The Group wondered how could Sahara Reporters have accepted to carry out a hatchet job to use 2020/2021 Auditor General Report to haunt and torment the present leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, which was appointed in 2024?
According to the group Sahara Reporters heavily cannibalised 2020/2021 Auditor General Report to make it appear fresh and presented same to the public as a product of investigative journalism in criminal desperation to impress its paymasters.
The Group unequivocally condemned Sahara Reporters’ actions and demand an immediate retraction of the publication, as well as a formal apology to Dr. Otuaro and the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
According to them, the allegations presented in the story are baseless, and they challenged Sahara Reporters to provide concrete evidence to support its claims.
Here Is The Full Statement By MAG:
EXPOSING SAHARA REPORTERS’ MALICIOUS CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY PROGRAMME
SAHARA REPORTERS AND JUNGLE JOURNALISM: TIME TO END THE MADNESS
It is not often we come together as professionals to condemn one of our own. Sahara Reporters indulgence in rogue journalism has become an embarrassment that should not be ignored. The online publication’s unethical practices taint the time honoured reputation of men and women engaged in professional journalism.
Its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, is often in the news for bad behaviour, Sowore goads himself in borrowed raiment of saintism and lays claim to false integrity.
He is more of a troubled soul than a social Activist.
Another of his egregious journalistic malfeasance came to light recently, through courtesy of his online rag, Sahara Reporters.
It made false and unfounded allegations regarding the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
This blatant display of rogue journalism is an affront to the very fabric of our profession, and it is our duty to condemn such reprehensible behaviour.
Sowore and his publication cannot differentiate nor draw the borderline between professional etiquette and violation of the rights of fellow citizens.
Sahara Reporters’ publisher, Omoyele Sowore, has a well-documented history of unethical practices, including his current entanglement in an American court for slanderous publications against a Nigerian.
His penchant for sensationalism and disregard for factual accuracy is a stain on the journalistic community.
The recent publication in question is a glaring example of Sowore’s modus operandi.
By doctoring the 2020/2021 Auditor-General’s Report to make it appear recent, Sahara Reporters aimed to discredit the Presidential Amnesty Programme and its Coordinator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro.
This deliberate attempt to deceive the public is a clear violation of journalistic ethics.
It’s sad that Sahara Reporters and its handlers accepted to dust up an old Auditor- General’s report on the financial activities of the Amnesty Programme, apparently on the prompting of some disgruntled elements who have lost their shady sources of revenue upon the appointment of Dr. Dennis Otuaro.
How could Sahara Reporters have accepted to carry out a hatchet job to use 2020/2021 Auditor General Report to haunt and torment the present leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, which was appointed in 2024?
Sahara Reporters heavily cannibalised 2020/2021 Auditor General Report to make it appear fresh and presented same to the public as a product of investigative journalism in criminal desperation to impress its paymasters.
We unequivocally condemn Sahara Reporters’ actions and demand an immediate retraction of the publication, as well as a formal apology to Dr. Otuaro and the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
The allegations presented in the story are baseless, and we challenge Sahara Reporters to provide concrete evidence to support its claims.
Established in 2009 by late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, the Presidential Amnesty Programme has been instrumental in restoring oil production to pre-amnesty levels and reducing insecurity in the Niger Delta region.
Despite its successes, Sahara Reporters still saw it fit and proper to launch a malicious campaign against the Programme, leveraging on fabricated allegations to tarnish the reputation of its coordinator, Dr. Otuaro.
The Nigerian Press Council (NPC) must take decisive action against Sahara Reporters for their deliberate breach of journalistic ethics.
The online publication has to be sanctioned to serve as a future deference.
It must not be allowed the same free run it has basked in since its inception.
This time around, Sahara Reporters must not get away with the misdemeanour.
We also support the ongoing legislative efforts aimed at regulating and streamlining social media practice as it will help to curb the spread of misinformation and protect the integrity of the journalism profession.
Sahara Reporters’ actions constitute a clear case of defamation, and we demand that they take responsibility for their actions.
Defamation is a serious offense, and it can have far-reaching consequences for an individual’s reputation and livelihood.
In conclusion, we reiterate our demand for Sahara Reporters to retract the offending publication, apologize to Dr. Otuaro and the Presidential Amnesty Programme without delay.
We will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary steps to shield and protect the reputation of Dr. Otuaro and the Presidential Amnesty Programme from undeserved antagonism from rogue publications like sahara Reporters.
We will not watch helplessly while some few bad eggs destroy our cherished profession.
SIGNED:
MR. ABIODUN SOBANJO
CONVENER
FOR AND ON BEHALF OF MEDIA ADVOCACY GROUP (MAG).