Fani Kayode’s Attack, Daily Trust stands with journalist as professionals condemn former Minister

Media Trust Limited publishers of Daily Trust has condemned the attack on her reporter by a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode at a press conference in Calabar, Cross River State.

In an edited video which has gone viral on social media, Kayode was seen angrily insulting and threatening a journalist who had asked him who was bank-rolling his tour of some states in the southern part of the country.

In a statement released Tuesday Media Trust Limited said it “would like to condemn the reprehensible actions of Femi Fani-Kayode, who in a video clip now gone viral, verbally assaulted – repeatedly – our reporter, Eyo Charles in the course of doing his job.

“During the roundtable, Charles asked Fani-Kayode who was bankrolling his recent trips around Nigeria, to which the ex-minister responded with a raised voice, insults, and eventually a threat to inflict bodily harm on our reporter. The barrage continued for some minutes, while bewildered journalists, including our reporter, looked on.

“That Fani-Kayode attacks a reporter doing his job, is an indication of the chilling disregard he has towards the media, and its work in investigating and reporting on issues. As always, we stand in solidarity with our reporters, and will continue to fight for the rights of all journalists. After all, journalism is part of the bedrock of democracy; therefore practitioners must not be intimidated or threatened as they carry out their work”.

Fani Kayode’s conduct has attracted the ire of journalists across the country

The former Minister had the option of not answering the question and the abuses were totally out of place in the context of the event

IPC therefore demands that the former Minister should apologise to the Journalist and give an assurance of his safety in view of the alleged further threats.

Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade

FFK tours states as guest of each Governor. He launders their image using the media. Ask him how far, na vex

AUSTIN AGBONSUREMI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PRIMORG

Instead of answering the question you went on insulting, bullying and threatening the journalist. Probably you thought all they came to do was to massage your over blown and warped ego.
You indeed crossed the line and if I were you, instead of defending the indefensible I will tender an unconditional apology.
You must be suffering from delusion if you think you have a credibility to flaunt just because you are a lawyer and a former Minister with a criminal case still hanging over your head.

VinMartin Obiora Ilo, CEO/Editor-In-Chief signaturetv.org

Femi Fani Kayode is a disgrace.

Obasanjo picked him up, rehabilitated him, gave him a job and he became his attack dog.

Now, the puppy has grown and is barking uncontrollably.

Fred Chukwuelobe, Public Commentator and CEO Pointsize LTD

Below is the statement by Media Trust LTD

Fani-Kayode’s Attack on Daily Trust Reporter: Our Stand

The management of Media Trust Limited, publishers of Daily Trust and other titles, would like to condemn the reprehensible actions of Femi Fani-Kayode, who in a video clip now gone viral, verbally assaulted – repeatedly – our reporter, Eyo Charles in the course of doing his job. The encounter occurred in Calabar, Cross River State, in the morning of Thursday 20, August 2020 at a hotel, during a roundtable with invited journalists.

During the roundtable, Charles asked Fani-Kayode who was bankrolling his recent trips around Nigeria, to which the ex-minister responded with a raised voice, insults, and eventually a threat to inflict bodily harm on our reporter. The barrage continued for some minutes, while bewildered journalists, including our reporter, looked on.

The video clip, also released on one of the ex-minister’s social media accounts, was conveniently edited to exclude the question asked by Charles, totally devoid of mischief, simply sought clarification and information, like good journalism should. Said editing paved the way for a social media lynch mob to rain expletives on our reporter, labelling him as ‘rude’. This could not be further away from the truth, and we stand by Charles, and commend him for his calmness during the ordeal.

Daily Trust reporters are responsible professionals, who uphold the tenets of journalism, as well as best practices.

That Fani-Kayode attacks a reporter doing his job, is an indication of the chilling disregard he has towards the media, and its work in investigating and reporting on issues. As always, we stand in solidarity with our reporters, and will continue to fight for the rights of all journalists. After all, journalism is part of the bedrock of democracy; therefore practitioners must not be intimidated or threatened as they carry out their work.

We urge the Nigeria Police to take note, that if anything happens to Charles, Daily Trust will hold Fani-Kayode responsible, especially due to the intensity of the verbal threats he issued during the shocking incident.

The actions of Fani-Kayode are not only reprehensible, but also constitute a setback to press freedom, in a most dire form. This kind of assault raises major concerns over the safety of journalists in Nigeria.

Daily Trust is a completely independent media organisation that does not pander to the whims of any individual or group, no matter how powerful or well-placed in society. We will continue to serve Nigerians – and indeed the world – with quality, reliable reportage, no matter whose ox is gored.

Signed

Naziru Mikailu Abubakar

Executive Director/Editor-in-Chief