Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), have urged the media to refrain from attempts to blackmail institutions of government and ensure accurate information before publication.
The CSOs, Coalition for Peace In Nigeria (COPIN) and the Iconoclast Media, made the call in a joint statement on Friday in Abuja.
The statement was signed by the National Coordinator of COPIN, Mr Emeka Akwuobi and the National Secretary of Iconoclast Media, Dr Mayago Mayago.
The group faulted a media report on an alleged invasion of an Ogun State High Court premises and arrest of two suspects by personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the group, apart from the claim of invasion, the media platform also called on President Bola Tinubu to among others, ‘curb DSS excesses’.
It said the DSS had, however, debunked the claim, explaining that the suspects were apprehended outside the precinct of the court.
The CSOs said the establishment Act of the DSS had wide powers, including the detection and prevention
of threats to national security, public safety and assets of government.
The statement said investigation by the groups showed that the intelligence agency acted based on a report it received on alleged destruction of property and arson against the suspects.
According to the group, the DSS, in our estimation, has a track record of observing the rule of law and following the due process of law in the execution of its mandate.
‘That informs why it ensures that suspects in its custody are held based on remand orders, pending when they are arraigned in court or granted administrative bail.
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‘We, therefore, call on President Bola Tinubu to disregard the call by the media platform to interfere with the statutory duties of the DSS.
‘We also, call on other CSOs, individuals, groups and stakeholders in the project Nigeria, to give valuable support to the government and her institutions to facilitate the delivery of dividend of democracy,’ the group said.
The group also said the media platform, in its ‘scathing’ editorial, failed to observe the time-honored journalism tradition of balancing reports.
‘While acknowledging that the media platform has a right to its opinion, the DSS has a history of respect for harmonious relationship with the judiciary,’ the group said.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria