Communiqué 06: A tale of two investigations
Both CNN and Premium Times published investigations into the events of October 20, 2020, at Lekki Toll Gate. But what do their reports tell us about the quality of journalism in Nigeria?
This is a monthly newsletter about the media industry in Nigeria, you can subscribe here so you don't miss any edition:
On Tuesday, CNN published an investigative report about the Lekki Toll Gate massacre of October 20, 2020. The report disputes the government and army’s fluctuating accounts of what happened that night. It found "evidence of bullet casings from the scene [matching] those used by the Nigerian army when shooting live rounds", verified video footage that "shows soldiers who appear to be shooting in the direction of protesters", and eyewitness accounts that confirm there were two separate rounds of shooting.
Mixed emotions surround the report. On one hand, there is a feeling of hope that accompanies further validation of what we already know and hope that the events of that night will count for something. On the other hand, there is a creeping feeling of despair that even though the tragic events of that night are now clearer than ever, no one will be held accountable for t…
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Communiqué to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.