In a formal apology published, Daily Trust has acknowledged inaccuracies in its earlier report titled “LGBT: Nigeria Signs $150 Billion Samoa Deal,” which appeared in the July 4, 2024 edition. The story generated significant interest and controversy.
The Federal Government filed a formal complaint to the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), an independent ombudsman body established to address public concerns over journalistic standards.
Following a thorough review, the NMCC ruled that parts of the story were inaccurate and failed to meet the high standards of journalism expected of the press. *Daily Trust* has now publicly accepted the NMCC’s verdict without reservation and apologized to the Federal Government and its readers.
In its apology, the newspaper expressed regret for any inconvenience the erroneous story may have caused the government and the public.
“We apologize to the Federal Government for any inconveniences the story might have caused to it. We also apologize to our readers and the public for getting the story wrong in the first place,” the statement read.
While acknowledging the shortfall, Daily Trust emphasized that its internal editorial systems have reliably ensured high standards for over 25 years. However, in light of this incident, the newspaper announced that it is taking additional steps to enhance these systems further to prevent future errors.
Reflecting on the importance of self-correction, Daily Trust noted that it has long maintained an internal ombudsman, citing respected figures such as the late Hajia Bilkisu Yusuf (2007) and Mr. Dan Agbese (2015). DailyTrust reaffirmed its dedication to the process of self-examination and rectification, recognizing the vital role of such mechanisms in maintaining journalistic integrity.
In its closing remarks, Daily Trust thanked the NMCC for its professional handling of the case and the Federal Government for its “professional and democratic approach” to resolving the matter.