The Coalition of Northern Civil Society Groups (CNCSG), has called for an end to media sensationalism and cyberbullying, particularly against public institutions like the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
At a press conference yesterday in Abuja, CNCSG convener Musa Ibrahim urged journalists to uphold integrity, fairness, and accuracy in their reporting.
Themed “Thrive on Integrity, Not Sensationalism: A Call to End Media Bias and Cyberbullying Against the Nigeria Customs Service”, he highlighted growing concerns over unverified and biased narratives in journalism, which they claim are undermining public trust and institutional credibility.
The coalition criticised investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, accusing him of perpetuating selective narratives and emotional manipulation to discredit the NCS.
According to the group, Soyombo’s recent video alleging that the NCS aids smugglers lacked credible evidence and failed to meet the standards of investigative journalism.
“Journalism is a noble profession built on verified facts, fairness, and accountability, not personal vendettas or unsubstantiated allegations,” he stated.
They questioned the inconsistency in Soyombo’s report, pointing out that his cameraman’s vehicle was not stopped while traversing alleged smuggling routes, raising doubts about the credibility of his claims.
The coalition also took issue with what they termed a pattern of selective targeting in Soyombo’s investigations, which they believe undermines his motives and credibility.
He acknowledged the challenges facing the Nigeria Customs Service but emphasised its significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy and security, including revenue generation, border protection, and combating smuggling.
While advocating for accountability and transparency, they cautioned against unfounded allegations that could erode public trust in such critical institutions.
The coalition called on journalists to prioritise ethical reporting, urging Soyombo and others in the media to focus on truth, fairness, and evidence-based investigations.
They also encouraged the public to critically evaluate the information they consume, particularly in the digital age, where misinformation spreads rapidly.
“We must reject sensationalism and uphold ethical journalism to foster unity and national development,” he added, appealing for a collaborative effort to strengthen public institutions rather than weaken them through baseless attacks.
