The Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) has asked the Nigerian Guild of Editors to discipline the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati, for breaching the ethics of journalism.
A petition signed by the group’s leader, Olarewaju Suraju, noted that Abati had breached the “factual, accurate balance and fair reporting” which it says “is the ultimate objective of good journalism.”
Below is a full text of the press release:
CIVIL SOCIETY NETWORK AGAINST CORRUPTION,LAGOS
THE PRESIDENT NIGERIAN GUILD OF EDITORS
Dear Sir, PETITION AGAINST DR. REUEBN ABATI
Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) is a coalition of over hundred and fifty Anti- corruption organizations whose primary aim is to constructively combat corruption vigorously and to ensure the effective monitoring of the various Anti-graft agencies in its activities in the fight against corruption and to enthrone transparency, accountability, probity, and total commitment in the fight to eradicate corruption in Nigeria.
According to the Code of ethics for Nigerian Journalists, truth is the cornerstone of journalism and every journalist should strive diligently to ascertain the truth in every event. The Code of ethics further states under the provision for accuracy and fairness that,
“The public has a right to know. Factual, accurate balance and fair reporting is the ultimate objective of good journalism and the basis for earning public trust and confidence. The journalist therefore should refrain from publishing inaccurate and misleading information”.
We believe, Dr. Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, has on following occasions breached the above provision;
Dr. Abati stated that the first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan was hale and hearty. The president contradicted this statement during a media chat where he confirmed that the first lady was recupperating from illness.
On Wednesday, 14th November 2012, Dr. Abati, released a press statement to the media on behalf of the president stating that the president had cancelled the Manitoba Power contract. However, during a media chat with the President, on Sunday, November 18th 2012, he said that the contract had not been revoked but was being regularized as due process had not been followed in awarding the contract.
On Sunday 26th August 2012, Dr. Abati told the state house correspondents that the Government was in talks with Boko Haram. The President dismissed this claim stating that “there is no dialogue between Boko Haram and Government”
In the circumstances and by virtue of the code of ethics for Nigeria journalists whom Dr. Reuben Abati is a renowned member, we request that Dr. Abati be sanctioned for breach of the code of ethics for Nigerian Journalist.
We trust that in line with the provisions of your constitution, you would preserve the traditions and standards of the practice of journalism in Nigeria by canvassing a strict adherence with the code of ethics of the profession.
Yours sincerely OLANREWAJU SURAJU Chairman
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