Ben Murray-Bruce, Twitter Users Thrash SaharaReporters for Allegations Against the Senator

Posted by Thandiubani on Thu 03rd Dec, 2015 - tori.ng

It was a war of words on twitter yesterday as the #commonsense Senator got Sahara Reporters panicking for blackmailing him over some allegations he claims to know nothing about.

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce

It was a frenzy of public backlash against SaharaReporters after the media house allegedly accused and lied against Senator Ben Murray-Bruce saying that he was among those who facilitated the passing of a bill proposing 2-year jail term for Nigerians spreading false statements on the Social Media.

FLASH: Thru help of @bukolasaraki, @benmurraybruce Ibn Na'Allah bill to jail social media users passes 2nd reading pic.twitter.com/xE6S42YzAO
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) December 2, 2015

1-I dont know what the intention behind @SaharaReporters' story is but there was no vote on the alleged bill and I never participated in it.
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) December 2, 2015

@benmurraybruce We're shocked that you knew of this bill and that it even passed a 2nd reading and you've never mentioned or opposed it
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) December 2, 2015

@SaharaReporters I am equally shocked you could publish lies about me when I am available for you to verify information before publication!
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) December 2, 2015

What followed next would go down in twitter history as explosive rebuff and schooling on what a credible media organization should be by Ben and many other twitter users who confronted the media outfit to publish tweets or claims proving that the Senator had a hand in the bill or to honourable apologize to the Senator for defamation. SaharaReporters refused to apologize.

Ben carpeted the news media challenging them to show evidence of the allegations, which never came. The #commonsense senator who was irked by the allegation found it disheartening that a media house which prides itself as a credible and authentic media platform could stoop so low as to peddle trash without verification from him when his doors are open for such invites.

Twitter users remarked that it was the mode of operation of the SaharaReporters to badmouth people who are blazing leading trends just as they did to the senator.

Here is how some twitter users reacted to the controversy:

SaharaReporters lies against @benmurraybruce shows that they are working for somebody #NoToSocialMediaBill .com
— #5NightOfGlory2016 (@chichriso) December 3, 2015

@SaharaReporters if every senator was like @benmurraybruce u would not have to hide abroad to do ur media job. You'll be safe at home. Truth
— idowubakare (@idowu_bakare) December 3, 2015

To drive traffic to d dying media outfit, SR lied that @bukolasaraki & @benmurraybruce were behind social media bill https://t.co/Fo1Iw6Dl0t
— Ose Unruly (@Papadonkee) December 3, 2015

So, @SaharaReporters lied against @benmurraybruce concerning the devious bill sponsored by Sen Ibn Nahala (APC) Yobe. Wonders!
— usman ibrahim 5% (@ikhanaib) December 2, 2015

@femzy4all @benmurraybruce @SaharaReporters Though, am not a Fan Of Ben that Much But Saraha Got it Wrong; I'd Known For Long she Blackmail
— IfeMide (LFC) (@ifedayomide85) December 2, 2015

@SaharaReporters picked the wrong guy to mess with. The @benmurraybruce I know can never think of denying people their freedom of speech.
— Ubani Chijioke (@thandiubani) December 2, 2015

@benmurraybruce @SaharaReporters @bukolasaraki ... Mr Bruce don't mind dem... Dey will never admit their mistakes... As if na dem holy pass
— Hon Olayinka Saint (@hon_saint) December 2, 2015

@benmurraybruce @SaharaReporters you must show us the tweet.... all liars must go to hell fire.... stop interrupting our #commonsense class!
— Gbemisola (@gbemy01) December 2, 2015

unbridled arrogance of @SaharaReporters is mind numbing.You report falsehood against @benmurraybruce then proceed to lecture him on morals
— Dalighieri (@bunmola2010) December 2, 2015

@SaharaReporters it doesn't cost anything to admit whenever you are wrong. Your tweet was slanderous and unethical. @benmurraybruce ðŸ™‰
— Husband Material ™ (@Freemanslounge) December 2, 2015