‘We stand by our report’- CNN reacts to FG’s threat to sanction it over the Lekki shooting documentary
Cable News Network, CNN has reacted to the threat of sanctions from the Federal Government over its investigative report on the October 20 shooting incident at the Lekki tollgate.
The international media house carried out an investigation into the incident and shared its findings on Wednesday, November 18.
At a press conference in Abuja today November 19, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the report by the media house was one-dimension and lacked balance. He called for the sanction of the media house. Read here.
In a statement released by one of its company spokesperson, CNN said it stands by its investigation.
“Our reporting was carefully and meticulously researched, and we stand by it. The report was based on testimony from dozens of witnesses, and photos and video obtained and geolocated by CNN. It painted a picture of how members of the Nigerian army and the police shot at the crowd, killing at least one person and wounding dozens more.
CNN verified photos and videos acquired from multiple eyewitnesses and protesters using timestamps and other data from the video files. Video footage shows soldiers who appear to be shooting in the direction of protesters. And accounts from eyewitnesses established that after the army withdrew, a second round of shooting happened later in the evening.
Prior to publishing the report, CNN tried multiple times to elicit comment from the Nigerian army and police. A Lagos State police spokesman declined to comment because of an ongoing investigation. While a statement from the Lagos State government said that there would be no comment while a judicial tribunal was underway.” CNN states
I have said it in my previous comment that if Nigeria government doesn’t satisfied with the findings of cable news Network (CNN), they should sue them to international court of law, that is it.
Do they think they can intimidate them? With so many evidences of shooting, and the presence of security personnel federal government still ahead to denied it.
When called upon to speak about the event which occur on 20/10/2020 by CNN, why can’t they give account of what know about it instead of saying no comment?
We have known you (government) that you are a liers and nothing good will come out from your investigation except telling us more lies, the CNN is a global news which would be very careful before publishing any news concerning the lekki toll gate shooting. Therefore, no comment.
Thank you very much CNN just stand by the truth the truth decision set you free no one will punish you in this country for doing the right thing we is the entire Nigeria you stand by you
Lier will always stand by it no matter what happens…
what can u people do to them
CNN is a well known trusted international media house so I think I will go with what they have said
The Government is filled with lies and deceit. CNN should stand tall to the truth
They think CNN is channels or AIT that they can intimidate. Useless FG
What is even wrong with this CNN.
They can’t even give the direct reports of an incident
Nice move….
It’s time to end the tyranny government.
Association of past criminals……
It’s time for the youth to rule. No more old cargoes, economic buccaneers.