The Cable News Network (CNN), has denied being paid, or
contacted by American lobbying firm, Fleishman-Hillard, for a 2010 interview
with President Goodluck Jonathan, contradicting the firm’s claim that it
contacted CNN, and other media for a string of interviews, the Premium Times reports.
contacted by American lobbying firm, Fleishman-Hillard, for a 2010 interview
with President Goodluck Jonathan, contradicting the firm’s claim that it
contacted CNN, and other media for a string of interviews, the Premium Times reports.
According to the online medium, Fleishman-Hillard, contracted
through a Nigerian consultant to the presidency, Caser’s group, was to receive
$58,200 to pitch interviews with advocacy groups, and major media outlets
including Reuters, New
York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN and Bloomberg.
through a Nigerian consultant to the presidency, Caser’s group, was to receive
$58,200 to pitch interviews with advocacy groups, and major media outlets
including Reuters, New
York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN and Bloomberg.
But in its filings to the US Justice Department, the
company claimed that while it reached the media organizations, it only
succeeded in securing a CNN interview for Jonathan. It added that its fee was
lowered by $20,000 after the rest of the interviews were rescheduled.
company claimed that while it reached the media organizations, it only
succeeded in securing a CNN interview for Jonathan. It added that its fee was
lowered by $20,000 after the rest of the interviews were rescheduled.
CNN has however denied arranging its interviews through
agencies, specifically denying receiving contacts, or funds, from
Fleishman-Hillard to speak to Mr. Jonathan.
agencies, specifically denying receiving contacts, or funds, from
Fleishman-Hillard to speak to Mr. Jonathan.
The CNN’s claim has now stirred fresh questions concerning the
services the firm delivered for the president to warrant payment of thousands
of dollars in public funds to it.
services the firm delivered for the president to warrant payment of thousands
of dollars in public funds to it.
“We never have to deal with agencies for interviews. We don’t
work for the government of Nigeria, and Nigeria does not work for us, so
there’s no reason to make payments,” a spokesperson for CNN, Jennifer Dargan,
told Premium Timesby telephone.
work for the government of Nigeria, and Nigeria does not work for us, so
there’s no reason to make payments,” a spokesperson for CNN, Jennifer Dargan,
told Premium Timesby telephone.
“CNN does not pay for interviews; we don’t pay for interviews
and we don’t receive money for interviews. Not CNN.”
and we don’t receive money for interviews. Not CNN.”
Asked specifically whether there was an understanding between
the broadcast station and Fleishman-Hillard for setting up interviews, Ms.
Dargan replied, “No, no!”
the broadcast station and Fleishman-Hillard for setting up interviews, Ms.
Dargan replied, “No, no!”
Fleishman-Hillard declined to state in exact details what its
services to the presidency involved. In a previous emailed response to Premium Times, the firm said
the deal was a “one time” arrangement, that entailed “communication services”.
services to the presidency involved. In a previous emailed response to Premium Times, the firm said
the deal was a “one time” arrangement, that entailed “communication services”.
Contacted last week on why it claimed to have contacted CNN when
indeed it did not, the company said it would not discuss further details of a
job completed three years back.
indeed it did not, the company said it would not discuss further details of a
job completed three years back.
“Fleishman-Hillard cannot provide any further details on the
work completed in 2010,” a Nigerian representative for the company, The
Quadrant company, said.
work completed in 2010,” a Nigerian representative for the company, The
Quadrant company, said.
But the company admitted it didn’t share the funds released to
it by the presidency with the CNN. It kept the entire sum to itself even when
the service it rendered remained unclear.
it by the presidency with the CNN. It kept the entire sum to itself even when
the service it rendered remained unclear.
A spokesperson, Eyitayo Olatoye, said the firm never transferred
funds it received to CNN or other outlets for the interview with the president;
confirming CNN’s claim, but stoking even more concerns about what service it
delivered that justifies the firm’s $60,000 bill to the presidency.
funds it received to CNN or other outlets for the interview with the president;
confirming CNN’s claim, but stoking even more concerns about what service it
delivered that justifies the firm’s $60,000 bill to the presidency.
“Fleishman-Hillard however categorically stated that no
money was paid to any media organization or media representative at any point,”
Mr. Olatoye said.
money was paid to any media organization or media representative at any point,”
Mr. Olatoye said.
LEADERSHIP recalls that the Presidency had in its reaction to
the matter, insisted that it never paid any amount to the US firm, adding that
the interview was a private-driven venture.
the matter, insisted that it never paid any amount to the US firm, adding that
the interview was a private-driven venture.
Source: Leadership
