Danger Signal: Zamfara Govt Shutdown Media Houses For Covering PDP Rally
The Zamfara State Government on Saturday wielded the big hammer as it shutdown media organisations operating in the state for going against its directive not to cover the political rally of the main opposition political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The media organisations shutdown by the State government for carrying out their constitutional responsibilities include the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) owned Pride FM station, the Nigerian Television Authority, Gamji FM, Al’umma Tv among others.
They were shutdown mainly for covering the gathering of the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Dauda Lawal which took place at his residence situated along GRA-Ring Road, Gusau.
This was as the state government also directed the Commissioner of Police for the State to arrest all journalists that attended and covered the PDP rally.
This was contained in an announcement on the State owned Radio station by the State Commissioner for Information, Malam Ibrahim Magaji Dosara.
The development is seen as one that portends danger for democracy in the country as it aims at stifling the media that provides the needed oxygen for cross fertilization of ideas as well as provide information that give people the room to make choices desired in a democracy.
