The Media which is supposed to be the gatekeeper of information has thrown caution to the wind, reporting unverifiable news from unreliable sources. In the spirit of irresponsibility, Punch Newspaper picked up a random Facebook post and made it into a sensation news without verification or attempt at verification.
It reported:
“a mass burial has been organised for the 120 people allegedly killed by Fulani herdsmen on Saturday in Zamfara State”
“This was made known in a Facebook post by one Waziri Mohammed who claims to be a member of staff of the National Emergency Management Agency”
“He wrote, this is the burial of 120 people killed by killer Herdsmen in Zamfara State on Saturday but unfortunately our media didn’t see it newsworthy maybe because it didn’t take place where it will be giving religious or ethnic meaning”
“Our Media Houses need to wake up and do more that can unite the Country rather than concentrate on what can divide us”.
According to the news report by Punch, the post was made by “One Waziri Mohammed”, even when it was a sensitive topic, any random faceless person on Facebook, known or unknown, was good enough as a source for Punch.
They also said he claims to be a member of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), exposing the fact that they are not even sure if his claim to where he works is true.
The news media which is claims to be most widely read went as far as to add the part of Mr. Waziri Doe’s post which read “our media houses need to wake up and do more that can unite the Country rather than concentrate on what can divide us”, as they did the opposite. The news has however been taken down by the Punch website as soon as many shamed the paper on Twitter, without apology.
Here is a screenshot of the news item:
Punch had earlier been banned from reporting stories from Aso Villa in April when a report titled “Fresh Anxiety in Aso Rock over Buhari’s Health” was written by one of its correspondents, Olalekan Adetayo. The news was tagged by the Presidency as unverified and untrue.
Meanwhile, the Presidency in August had said ‘The Punch Newspaper’ reported fake newswhen the Newspaper reported that the President was under the control of close aides and kinsmen from Daura. The leading newspaper also reported that the Vice President was being tele-guided by the cabal who have made him look incompetent.
The Presidency, in reacting, said “Publishing poorly-researched allegations and trying to pass them off as investigative journalism or as news may lead to more newspaper sales or to more clicks on a website; but they will also, in the long run, slow down the growth and development of our country, which right now requires the absolute focus of President Buhari and his carefully-selected team to build the Nigeria of our dreams
“Unfortunately, this is the path The Punch has chosen and there’s no one to help them but themselves”.
Vanguard Newspaper also reported fake news concerning former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, wherein Atiku was said to have made a statement concerning the Biafra agitation led by Nnamdi Kanu. The news was however taken down and a rejoinder was made. Atiku wrote:
“A false story published by Vanguard newspaper has been brought to my notice. In the story, the paper quoted false comments about the Biafra crisis and attributed it to me. I have already instructed my lawyers to write to the news organization. It’s time, #FakeNews is decisively dealt with”.
