Julius Bokoru, Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has cautioned the media to be dispassionate in their pattern of reporting allegations linking his principal to an alleged coup plot.
In a statement on Friday, the media aide said some media coverage of the matter especially from the Premium Times had gone beyond ordinary investigative reporting and appeared to be reinforcing a particular narrative against Sylva.
Bokoru revealed that he has been unable to establish contact with his principal since the controversy began, but stressed that his statement was not intended as an attack on investigative journalism.
He praised Nigerian journalists for playing a courageous and indispensable role in holding government, institutions and powerful individuals to account.
He, however, urged journalists and media organisations to also scrutinise the sources and methods behind information supplied to them.
Bokoru queried the source and timing of materials reportedly forming the basis of the some media reports, explaining that he was not accusing any media organisation including the Premium Times of being sponsored by any individual or organisation because he has no evidence to support such a claim.
He maintained that allegations contained in investigative materials should not be presented as established facts, insisting that guilt could only be determined through due legal process.
He urged organisations interested in reporting the matter to allow any evidence against Sylva to be properly tested, saying that if there was a prosecutable case, the appropriate authorities should bring it before the courts.
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According to him, the repeated publication of allegations could amount to prosecuting the matter in the court of public opinion, where, he noted, there was no cross-examination or formal testing of evidence.
He said Nigerian journalists haveva responsibility to remain independent irrespective of the identity or influence of the sources providing information.
Bokoru acknowledged the media’s right to investigate and report on Sylva, but said Nigerians also had the right to scrutinise their methods, sources, timing and editorial decisions.
He called on media organisations to maintain their independence and pursue the truth without becoming captive to any political, governmental or security narrative.
