Sahara Reporters SR, is a news agency based in New York City that focuses on promoting citizen journalism by encouraging everyday people to report stories about corruption, human rights abuses and other political misconduct in Africa, with a special focus on Nigeria. Sahara Reporters is known for its investigative journalism and exposés on corruption, human rights abuses, and governance issues in Nigeria.
In one of our stories, alarming the lack of professionalism in the style of SR, Securednaija.com reported, “The sad truth is that Sahara Reporters has infiltrated and corrupted so many systems in Nigeria with its style of investigative journalism. The principal preaches against corruption but leads a media outfit that buys peoples’ conscience, compromises principles and promotes indiscipline in organisations. The organisation encourages staff to screenshot sensitive documents, manipulate pictures, and make voice recordings against organisational ethics and victims’ moral principles. It becomes very disturbing when such activities are extended to sensitive sectors like Defence”. See: https://securednaija.com/2023/06/03/sahara-reporter-national-security-and-sowores-ambition/,
Sahara Reporter’s mode of operations has been characterized by subjective reporting against the State and the military using the under-listed approach:
Undercover Investigations: They use undercover techniques to gather information and evidence. They use Whistleblower sources and insider sources to reveal sensitive information by paying their sources and compromising their conscience and oath.
Online presence: They primarily operate online, using social media and their website to reach a wide audience, compromising the online space with unauthorised information in the disguise that they conduct investigative journalism.
Secured Naija will not doubt that their approach has led to significant scoops and exposés, it has also raised concerns about, ethical considerations. Some question their methods, such as paying sources or using undercover tactics.
The accuracy of some reports has been disputed, and their fact-checking processes have been criticized. Some accused them of having political or personal agendas, which may influence their reporting. This is visible by the fact that the publisher is not an activist, but a politician who uses his medium like many other oppositions use their media platforms to attack the government in power.
Hence, the publisher is not a saint like he makes himself look, he is pushed to embarrass the Nation he is planning to lead by greed, interest, utmost jealousy and insensitivity. Additionally is the aspect of Safety and security. Their aggressive approach has led to safety concerns for troops and the Nation in general.
Areas Where Sahara Reporters has Violated Provisions of Official Secret Acts and Freedom of Information Provisions:
Unlawful disclosure of confidential information: Sahara Reporters has published a series of confidential documents and information without authorization, which may violate the FOI Act’s provisions on protecting sensitive information.
Non-compliance with FOI procedures: Sahara Reporters has been accused of not following the proper procedures for requesting information under the FOI Act, leading to disputes with government agencies.
Publishing classified documents: Sahara Reporters has published documents marked as classified or confidential, potentially violating the Official Secrets Act.
Disclosing sensitive national security information: The platform has been accused of publishing information that could compromise national security or put lives at risk.
Unlawful possession of official documents: Sahara Reporters has been accused of possessing official documents without authorization, which may violate the Official Secrets Act.
History of Sahara Reporter’s Escapades Against the State
2015: Leaked Nigerian Army Documents_ – Sahara Reporters published confidential documents detailing the Nigerian Army’s operations against Boko Haram.
2017: Leaked Memo on Military Operations_ – Sahara Reporters published a memo allegedly from the Nigerian Air Force, detailing plans to bomb Boko Haram locations.
2020: Leaked Documents on Military Finances_ – Sahara Reporters published documents allegedly showing unconfirmed financial mismanagement within the Nigerian Military.
2016: Exposed Military Plan to Attack Boko Haram_ – Sahara Reporters revealed the Nigerian Military’s plan to attack Boko Haram strongholds.
2019: Leaked Operation Python Dance Documents_ – Sahara Reporters published documents detailing the Nigerian Army’s Operation Python Dance.
2015: Graphic Images of Boko Haram Battles_ – Sahara Reporters published graphic images of battles between the Nigerian Military and Boko Haram.
2017 and 2020: Photos of Wounded Soldiers in North East and Operation Sahel Sanity in the Northwest respectively. Sahara Reporters published photos of wounded soldiers, allegedly from the Nigerian Army. Some of the graphic images were seen online by the families of fallen heroes which is against the procedures of reporting such delicate and heartbreaking news to the families of kill-in-action soldiers. This has caused families of fallen heroes so much pain in so many instances and further demoralised the soldiers who are fighting on the battlefields.
Overall, opinions about Sahara Reporters’ mode of operations are divided, with some praising their fearless reporting and others criticizing their methods and potential biases. The critics are seeing beyond their noses as SR activities are more dangerous to National Security than the pro-citizen activism they tend to promote.
The following are the effects of their activities:
National Security Implications Of Sahara Reporters Unethical Journalism
Exposure of sensitive information: Their reporting can reveal sensitive information, potentially compromising national security operations and strategies. Their style of reporting also Undermining trust. Repeated exposés can erode trust in government institutions and the military, potentially weakening national security.
Additionally, it creates room for Embarrassment and demoralization wherein Public revelations of corruption, human rights abuses, or incompetence can embarrass and demoralize security personnel who sacrifice a lot every day to ensure the country is safe.
Furthermore, Sahara Reporter’s focus on individual wrongdoing can make security personnel vulnerable to retaliation and harassment. Leaked sensitive information could be exploited by terrorists or adversaries to undermine Nigerian national security.
SR subjective reporting also impacts international relations as it can damage Nigeria’s international reputation and relationships with partner countries. Also, their use of insider sources and whistleblowers has led to the unauthorized disclosure of classified information as earlier highlighted.
Other unpalatable disasters it could cause the Nation are,
Militarization of journalism: Sahara Reporters’ confrontational approach can create a confrontational atmosphere, potentially leading to a militarized response from the government while their exposés can lead to self-censorship among government officials and security personnel, potentially hiding important information, with a critical effect on freedom of information.
It is, therefore, essential that Sahara Reporters’ balances between transparency and national security in Nigeria.
The failure to do this, the Federal Government should sue Sahara Reporters, its publishers and editors for their chequebook journalism style, using the following legal options:
Libel and Defamation Lawsuits_: Sue Sahara Reporters for libel and defamation if they henceforth publish false or damaging information about the military.
Breach of Official Secrets Act_: Prosecute individuals who leak official secrets under the Official Secrets Act, which makes it an offence to disclose sensitive information without authorization.
National Security Laws: Utilize national security laws to address the leaking of classified information, which can compromise national security.
Injunctions and Restraining Orders: Seek court injunctions or restraining orders to stop Sahara Reporters from publishing sensitive information.
Investigation and Prosecution: Conduct investigations and prosecute individuals who accept bribes or engage in other illegal activities to obtain sensitive information.
Media Regulation Laws: Leverage media regulation laws to address unethical journalism practices, such as chequebook journalism.
Court of Inquiry: Establish a Court of Inquiry to investigate allegations and recommend disciplinary actions or legal proceedings.
International Cooperation: Collaborate with international partners to address the global implications of Sahara Reporters’ activities, if necessary.
Legal Reforms: Advocate for legal reforms to strengthen laws protecting national security and official secrets, while also ensuring press freedom and accountability.
The government should however note that it’s essential that any legal action should be balanced with the need to protect press freedom.
Finally, Sahara Reporters in a bid to project the political ambition of the publisher has used all available means, both ethical and unethical methods to embarrass the Nigerian Government and its agencies. It has therefore been visible that there is no atom of patriotism, nationalism or attachment to the Nigerian Nation. It has all been based on interest and personal and corporate endorsement. It has also been revealed that Sahara Reporters; though located in the United States, has never reported any story that will embarrass the country, its military or its agencies. He has respected their laws and protected the National Security of the Country. This is a clear indication that Sahara Reporters has no respect or regard for PROJECT NIGERIA, the entire team is hell-bent on de-marketing the Country in the Committee of Nation creating chaos in the country to promote instability and creating room for promotion of the Publisher’s interest.
OOA writes from Abuja.
