…..Describe action as illegal, Violation of Nig. Constitution
The Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE and International Press Center IPC have expressed serious concerns over the shutdown of four broadcast stations by Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle and asked him to immediately unseal the media houses.
Stations sealed by the governor include NTA, Gamji Television, Alumna Television and Pride FM Station, all located in the state capital, Gusau.
Zamfara State government had on Saturday, shut the stations, for covering a rally held by the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Dauda Lawan Dare.
The government claimed the rally was organised, despite a ban on campaigns by the state government over alleged security situation in the state.
But in a statement issued yesterday, and signed the NGE’s President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the umbrella body of all the editors in Nigeria 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 wan’t 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 his action was a serious threat to the democratic process and democracy, describing it as a precarious signal to what awaited the media, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The NGE stated further: ‘’The media reserves the right to cover all events, whether or not they are banned. No state government reserves the right to shut down any media house, in spite of their perceived infractions.
‘’In this case, the Zamfara State governor should have written a petition to the NBC, if at all the affected stations committed any infraction, instead resorting to self-help.
‘’The Guild stands for press freedom and freedom of expression and will always speak out against any attempt to muzzle the media.’’
The editors explained that the human right most closely related to the media was undoubtedly the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
It noted that freedom of expression, as upheld in the constitution and human rights instruments, covered the right to receive or impart information.
Describing the media as ‘’oxygen of democracy’’, the NGE reiterated its earlier position that the media was not an opponent of any government; but a professional institution charged with the constitutional obligation of monitoring the activities of the government and holding it accountable to the citizens.
The IPC in a statement by the Executive Director, 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.
The IPC, therefore, requests the Federal Government of Nigeria and President Buhari to call Governor Bello Matawalle to order as he has acted beyond his executive powers.
IPC equally calls 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.