By John Owan
A media Advocacy Group has described Sahara Reporters an online publisher’s position on the Presidential Amnesty Program PAP and it’s coordinator led by Dr. Dennis Otuaro as jungle journalism, that should not be whisked away at all times .
While condemning the anti media position of the Omoyele Sowore led Sahara Reporters as unprofessional, unethical conducts against PAP administrators , saying the usual practices had tainted the men and women who have distinguished themselves in the media world .
A statement issued by the group and signed by Abiodun Sobanjo tagged. “EXPOSING SAHARA REPORTERS’ MALICIOUS CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY PROGRAMME.” , the convener wondered why Sowore , the publisher of Sahara Reporters is always in the news for bad behaviors, while goads himself in a borrowed raiment of a saint with a claim to fake integrity against the profession and professional ethics.
Even though , difficult to condemn our own , the systemic pollution on the part of Sahara Reporters and it’s publisher is becoming unbecoming and capable of eroding the confidence the public space had built overtime on the media.
While describing his tabloid Sahara Reporters as “online rag”, he further qualified him as a troubled soul , rather than a social activist whose activities nose dive between politics, activism and blackmail media .
In his usual gimmicks against the Presidential Amnesty Program PAP ,by making an unfounded allegations against the program and it’s management.
The wanton display of unprofessional conducts by Sowore, Sahara Reporters cannot be condoned or protected by co -professionals whose integrity is already in doubt with the way and manner he goes with his tabloid reportage
With history of a documented unethical practices , were he claimed to have had a professional experience and training from , Sowore was docked in an American court over a slanderous publication against a Nigerian, owing to his inability to differentiate a borderline between professional etiquette and violation of fellow citizens rights.
His approach to sensational publication and non regard to factual evidence has become a thorn in the flesh of Nigeria journalism that needs to be addressed.
He accused Sahara Reporters and it’s management of abandoning journalism work and meddling into administrative job of PAP by doctoring Auditors General Reports of 2020/2021 to fit into recent one , stating that aside been case of defamation, forgery was also established on the same row to achieve its myopic ideas against the workaholic management of Dr Dennis Otuaro, the program coordinator.
His cannibalisation of the reports and justification of the same item through constant publication must drew the attention of the Nigerian Press Council NPC, and other disciplinary organs of Nigeria Union of Journalist NUJ , so as to serve as deterent to yellow journalism like Omoyele Sowore Sahara Reporters who are out to satisfy their pay masters.
We unequivocally condemned the premeditated publication in its entirety and called for retraction by the publisher before the general public , as well as a formal apology to the management of Presidential Amnesty Program PAP under the leadership of Dr Dennis Otuaro.
“MEDIA ADVOCAY GROUP
20, ORENIYI STREET, IKEJA, LAGOS.”
“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 cannibalized 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).
