Zamfara State’s Closure Of Media Houses, Reprehensible – NUJ, IPI

…Task Governor Matawalle to reverse embarrassing error

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, on Sunday described as reprehensible and unacceptable the order by the Zamfara State government for the closure of some media organisations operating in the state for allegedly breaking “journalism laws”.

The IPI particularly said that by shutting down media houses, the Zamfara State government has taken the law into its own hands, stressing that no entity, no matter how powerful, is allowed to take the law into its hands.

The affected media houses included the federal government owned Radio Nigeria’s Pride FM, Gusau, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Gusau, Gamji Television, Vision FM, and Al Umma Television.

The Zamfara State government shut down some of the media organisations in the State for covering the activities of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The NUJ and IPI Nigeria therefore demanded an apology from the Zamfara state government for its obnoxious act and urged it to learn to comply with the dictates of the rule of law by immediately withdrawing the order for the shutting down of the media organisations thus, tasked the Zamfara State Security Council, headed by Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle to as a matter of urgency and national importance rescind its embarrassing decision.

In a statement, the NUJ stressed that for a State Government to arbitrarily override a section of the Nigerian constitution and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) code, in a democracy which recognises the role of the mass media, and the freedom of expression for its citizens speaks volume of the level of impunity the county has descended into.

The Union’s statement signed by its National Secretary, Mr. Shuaibu Usman Leman, noted that it is counterproductive to attempt to muzzle free and independent media which are key elements in a democracy where they perform important roles as transmission buckles between the society and those who govern.

Similarly, the President of IPI Nigeria, Mr. Muskilu Mojeed particularly said that the Zamfara State government does not have the power to shut down media houses.

The IPI therefore called on the Commissioner of Police in Zamfara State not to enforce an illegal directive by the government.

It noted that the order by the Zamfara state government clearly violates the 1999 Constitution as amended, and has no place in a civilised society like ours.

In the words of the IPI; “It reminds Nigerians of the dark days of the military in Nigeria when media organisations were clamped down by various authoritarian regimes.

“Shutting down media houses is a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria.

“If any media organisation has flouted any law, the only option opened to the Zamfara State government is to approach the court for redress. Resorting to self help as done by the Zamfara State government threatens the rule of law and could lead to anarchy,” IPI said.

The NUJ particularly tasked Governor Matawalle, who is the chairman of the State Security Council to tread with caution, stressing that such ill-timed, hasty decisions taken without due deliberation will only aggravate the already fragile nature of security in the State.

The NUJ further said; “This development clearly negates the efforts to strengthen peace and restore normalcy in Zamfara State, and to promote democracy and development.

“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 make informed decisions.

“His Excellency, Bello Matawalle and members of the Zamfara State Security Council should act fast to correct this negative development, taking into consideration the fact that freedom of the media is essential in enabling democracy, free and participative societies,” Leman said.

The Zamfara state government had in a radio broadcast on Saturday the Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara said that the affected media organisations, NTA, Gamji TV, Umma TV and Pride radio (FM) all based in Gusau the State capital violated their professional ethics. Dosara accused the media organisations of attending and covering a political rally organised by the Peoples Democratic Party-PDP in the State when the State Government had suspended all political activities in the State for security reasons.

He said that 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.”