Somto Bisina
The Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN) has condemned the ban placed on some television and radio stations in Zamfara State.
It said the action was solely based on political reasons, intended to intimidate and silence the media in the state especially as the 2023 general elections draw close.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelRecall that on Saturday, 15th October, Zamfara State Government banned three television stations and an FM radio station from operating in the state. According to commissioner for Information in the state, Ibrahim Dosara, the affected media houses attended a rally organised by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the state, while the state government had earlier banned political rallies for security reasons.
In a statement signed by the Chairman Guy Murray-Bruce, IBAN said, no government (federal or state) has any constitutional power to arbitrarily shut down any media station for whatever reason.
“If and when any breach of professional ethics is discovered, the procedure is to report the infraction to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), which is constitutionally empowered to address such.
“The Zamfara State government and indeed other state governments, contemplating such Gestapo action, must be warned and called to order. It must be reminded that it is within the responsibilities of the media, as guaranteed by both the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2022, to watch over the actions of the government and also to inform the citizens.”
Murray-Bruce assured the public that “the media will not be silenced as we are resolute to continue to report all political activities, without fear or favour, during this campaign season.”
“We call on all security agencies, especially the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of all those arrested in the light of this military styled order as well as unseal all media houses affected by the Zamfara order.
“We assure Nigerians that the Media will continue to play its role as we all work towards free and fair general elections in 2023,” the statement added.
Commenting on the media ban, Dr Jonathan Emenike Ogbuabor, a university don said action of government is a reflection of a system with weak institutions with no regard for rule of law and press freedom.
“These are the actions that keep showcasing how weak our institutions are. This kind of clampdown on the media cannot happen in an environment where there is strong institutional framework to uphold voice and accountability,” Dr. Ogbuabor stated.
