Bwala Says Al Jazeera Apologised Privately, Files Defamation Suit

Presidential aide Daniel Bwala says Al Jazeera privately apologised to him over his interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan on the network’s Head to Head programme, but declined to make the apology public.

Speaking on Morayo Afolabi-Brown’s YouTube programme, Bwala said the broadcaster admitted it should have informed him in advance that part of the interview would focus on his past criticism of President Bola Tinubu and his decision to later support him. He said the network refused his request to publish the apology, citing concerns about its credibility.

Bwala alleged that the interview was unfairly edited, claiming the original 90-minute recording was reduced to 49 minutes. He said sections where he challenged Hasan’s claims and received applause from the audience were removed, while clips favourable to the interviewer were retained.

He also accused the programme of presenting old video clips of his previous comments without allowing him to provide context or respond adequately. According to him, the editing created a misleading impression of his responses during the interview.

Bwala said he consulted media experts, including British broadcaster Piers Morgan, through a third party, before instructing his lawyers in England to institute a defamation suit against Al Jazeera. He said the case is currently before a court in England.

Written by News Room