Journalism no doubt involves the gamut of activities of gathering and assessing news and information, as well as presenting them, and this activities goes a long way in distinguishing journalist and media outlets in the profession.
The reverse has been the case with Sahara Reporters, a media outlet owned by Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the Action Alliance Party (AAP) in the 2019 presidential elections who has since become a distraction after the conclusion of the elections where he scored an insignificant number of votes. In a totally display of disenchantment for losing out, Sowore’s Sahara reporters now thrives on falsehood and libelous publications devoid of facts like a mad dog, just to vilify individuals, organizations and governments via malicious campaigns.
Sowore’s Sahara reporters Brown Envelope Journalism (BEJ) which is on a mission of needless and self-destructive controversies robs on the reputation and image of journalism in Nigeria because of its lust for cash inducements from Politicians who are mainly opposed to Governments at the Federal, State and even the local government level.
His recent publication on alleged extra judicial killings in the South East by an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria’s secret police by one Samson Enwereuzo who it also accused of forcing confessional statement from suspect without popper assessment and verification of facts highlights its non-adherence to ethics and codes of journalism which clearly makes it a purveyor of fake news and propaganda.
Since then, the DSS has put the facts straight by noting that it is a professional organization that operates within the rule of law and international convention on Human rights. Moreso, Sowore has been a familiar face in its holding center and if at all he was coerced to tender confessional statements, allegations of torture wouldn’t have been a recent news.
In a Related development, Vanguard news has also published a story noting that the said information was sent out by an operative who wanted to settle personal scores with his colleague by pitching him against the public. The source even stated that the said Samson is an Engineer and a senior officer who has less knowledge of field operations.
That singular publication of fake news would have been avoided if the outlet is an evidence-based, factual and credible medium rather than a quack medium which is yet to apologize for such a misleading publication which not only destroyed the image of the agency and the operative, but also damaged his reputation and integrity, as well as putting him and his family in harms way.
This was the same way the outlet wrote a story in February 2015 accusing the spokesman of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokiri as an armed robber who robbed a house in Warri, Delta State and stole money for use in the 2015 elections. Reno commenced legal actions against the man Sowore claimed was robbed and He was summoned to court where he swore to an affidavit that he never made such allegations against him to Sahara Reporters. Subsequently, Sowore quietly took down the publications without offering apologies to Reno whom he had damaged his reputation
I hope the DSS and its lawyers will not let this libelous publication slide like other victims of Sowore has done in the past, as it will go a long way in putting a stop to quack journalism in Nigeria.


Yomi Bambose
Ibadan, Oyo State

Sowore and his way of journalism sha, losing election is not easy o....

This post is also a courtesy of APC brown envelopes. But God dey sha ...

Foreign Grant's incoming, those out to destabilise Nigeria at work. Be gone with the shenanigans.

You ppl have time to read Sahara Reporters fake news.

Honestly find it difficult to understand how media outfits like sahara reporters get away with some of this damaging fake news and propaganda. It is high time the gatekeepers of journalism wake up to their responsibilities.

Make una dey pity this man…depression is real