Outrage, Condemnation Trail Shutdown of Media Houses in Zamfara State.
…NBC Orders Reopening describes Action as Illegal …IPC Says its a “Violation of Rule of Law” …1PI “Governor Lacks Power to Shut media Houses” …NUJ Lambasts State Governor for Arbitrary Use of Power...
…NBC Orders Reopening describes Action as Illegal
…IPC Says its a “Violation of Rule of Law”
…1PI “Governor Lacks Power to Shut media Houses”
…NUJ Lambasts State Governor for Arbitrary Use of Power
…NGE Says Action is Threat to Democracy.
Torrents of condemnation continue to trail the action of the Zamfara State government to shut down some media houses for allegedly covering a political event by a rival political party, in violation of an Executive Order signed by Governor Bello Matawalle banning all such activities in the state.
The public outrage is coming against the backdrop of hostilities and intolerance by some states against opposition in their states. In some states, the government is insisting on payment of deposit and approval from government agencies to make use of public facilities such as school playgrounds and so on.
The regulatory agency in charge of broadcast industry, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has frowned at the audacity of the Zamfara state to embark on the shutdown of media houses without recourse to appropriate authorities. In a statement on Sunday, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), which regulates broadcast stations in the country, declared the state government’s action illegal and asked it to be reversed.
Affected media organisations include the NTA, Gamji TV, Umma TV, and Pride Radio (FM). The Zamfara state Commissioner for Information Ibrahim Dosara, had accused the media organisations of attending and covering a political rally organised by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
“The NBC has clearly notified the State Government of the gravity of the illegality and requested it to expeditiously reverse the directive and apologise to the people of the State.
“We also urge the security agencies to ignore the call to restrict staff of the affected stations from conducting their legitimate duties.
“We call on ALL industry stakeholders to resist ANY attempt to truncate the hard-earned democratic gains in Nigeria,” Mr Illela said.
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has also called on the Zamfara State Security Council, headed by His Excellency, Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle to forthwith rescind its decision to shut down some media organisations in the State. A statement by its National Secretary Shuaibu Usman Leman said.
According to Dosara, the State Government had suspended all political activities in the State for security reasons, as such journalists are not expected to carry out their professional responsibilities as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution in Chapter 2 Section 22, which states that “ The Press, Radio, Television and other agencies of mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this Chapter (Chapter 2 of the Constitution) and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.
The NUJ says “for a State Government to arbitrarily override a section of the Nigerian constitution and the National Broadcasting Commission-NBC code, in a democracy like ours, which recognises the role of the mass media, and the freedom of expression for its citizens speaks volume of the level of impunity the country has descended into.
It is instructive to emphasise that the media have a very crucial role to play in monitoring security institutions and their personnel thereby helping citizens to understand what is taking place all the time and to enable them to make informed decisions.
“We quickly wish to remind the Chairman of the Zamfara State Security Council who is the Governor of the State to tread with caution because such ill-timed, hasty decisions taken without due deliberation will only aggravate the already fragile nature of security in the State. This development clearly negates the efforts to strengthen peace and restore normalcy in Zamfara State, and to promote democracy and development.
On its part, the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, Nigeria is worried by the recent closure of some media outlets by the Zamfara state government, describing the action as unacceptable and a violation of the rule of law.
The Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said that the closure of the media outlets is another attempt to stifle press freedom in the country warning that the government should subject itself to the rule of law and not be the accuser and judge in its case.
“This closure is an attempt by the Zamfara state government to suppress freedom of the press in the state. Directing the Police to further arrest pressmen for attending an event is worrisome and a violation of citizens’ right to be informed “.
Arogundade advised the Zamfara state government to take its case to the media regulatory bodies, vested with the power to sanction or withdraw licenses of media outlets who may be found guilty of breaking the laws of journalism.
“It is not within the powers of the Governor or his agents, under whatever guise, to carry out such duties, as shutting down or sealing off media houses. This should be condemned by all” Mr Arogundade said.
IPC equally called on the Inspector General of Police to provide the necessary protection to all journalists and media outlets within Zamfara state and its environs as envisaged under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“There should be no disturbances or threats to the electoral processes as all Nigerians look forward to a smooth election in 2023”. Arogundade said.
Reacting in similar vein, International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, in a statement issued by its President, Musikilu Mojeed, said that the Zamfara State Government lacks the power to shut down media houses.
The IPI Nigeria called on the Zamfara State Police Commissioner not to enforce the closure as directed by the state government.
The statement reads partly, “The order by the state government clearly violates the 1999 Constitution as amended and has no place in a civilized society like ours.
“It reminds Nigerians of the dark days of the military in Nigeria when media organizations were clamped down by various authoritarian regimes.
“IPI Nigeria, therefore, reiterates its demand for immediate withdrawal of all directives impeding freedom of expression in Zamfara State and demands an apology from the state government for its obnoxious act.
IPI Nigeria also calls on federal authorities to direct the Zamfara State governor to comply with the dictates of the rule of law by immediately withdrawing the order for the shutting down of the media organizations, and henceforth desist from any such act.”
NGE Says Action is Threat to Democracy
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) also expressed concern over the shutdown of the four broadcast stations by Governor Bello Matawalle and called on him to immediately unseal the broadcast stations.
A statement issued by NGE’s President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, described the action as illegal and a violation of the Nigeria constitution and other international instruments.
The guild stated that the only government agency charged with the constitutional mandate of regulating the broadcast stations or determining any infraction in the conduct of broadcasting industry, was the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
“While the NGE doesn’t even want to go into the illegality of the ban on political activities in that state, our primary concern here is the unlawful and unconstitutional action of the state governor against the affected stations for carrying out their constitutional and social obligations – of reporting events and keeping the citizens informed of political developments in the state.
“In fact, the shut stations would have been accused of unprofessional misconduct if they didn’t cover that rally. We are also encouraged by the fact that the regulatory agency of broadcasting, the NBC, has also condemned the unlawful action of Governor Bello Matawalle,” the NGE added.
Condemning the action of the governor in its entirety, the editors said the governor’s action was a serious threat to the democratic process and democracy, saying it was a precarious signal to what awaits the media, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
