Closure of four radio stations in Zamfara threatens democracy — Editors
The Nigerian Editors Guild (NGE) has expressed concern over the closure of four broadcast stations: NTA, Gamji Television, Alumna Television and Pride FM Station, all located in Gusau, the state capital of Zamfara, by Governor Bello Matawalle, calling upon him to immediately unseal the broadcast stations.
The Zamfara state government shut down stations on Saturday for covering a rally organized by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the state, Dr. Dauda Lawan Dare.
The state government claimed that the rally was held despite the state government's campaign ban over the alleged security situation in the state.
But in a press statement issued on Monday and signed by NGE Chairman Mustapha Isah and Secretary General Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the body called the action illegal and a violation of the Nigerian constitution and a other international instruments.
The NGE said the only government agency with the constitutional mandate to regulate broadcasting stations or determine any violations in the conduct of the broadcasting industry is the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Benzema wins Ballon d'Or 2022The statement read, "While the NGE does not even want to go into the illegality of prohibiting political activity in this state, our primary concern here is the illegal and unconstitutional action of the state governor against relevant stations for fulfilling their constitutional and social obligations - to report events and keep citizens informed of political developments in the state.
"In fact, the shut down stations would have been charged with malpractice had they failed to cover this gathering. We are also encouraged that the broadcasting industry regulator, NBC, also condemned the illegal action of Governor Bello Matawall.
The NGE further described the governor's action as a serious threat to the democratic process and democracy, "believing that it is a precarious signal to what awaits the media, ahead of the general election from 2023.
“The media reserves the right to cover all events, whether banned or not. No state government reserves the right to shut down a media house, despite its alleged violations.” In this case , the governor of Zamfara State should have written a petition to NBC, if all the stations concerned committed an infraction, resorting to self-help instead."
The Nigerian Editors Guild (NGE) has expressed concern over the closure of four broadcast stations: NTA, Gamji Television, Alumna Television and Pride FM Station, all located in Gusau, the state capital of Zamfara, by Governor Bello Matawalle, calling upon him to immediately unseal the broadcast stations.
The Zamfara state government shut down stations on Saturday for covering a rally organized by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the state, Dr. Dauda Lawan Dare.
The state government claimed that the rally was held despite the state government's campaign ban over the alleged security situation in the state.
But in a press statement issued on Monday and signed by NGE Chairman Mustapha Isah and Secretary General Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the body called the action illegal and a violation of the Nigerian constitution and a other international instruments.
The NGE said the only government agency with the constitutional mandate to regulate broadcasting stations or determine any violations in the conduct of the broadcasting industry is the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Benzema wins Ballon d'Or 2022The statement read, "While the NGE does not even want to go into the illegality of prohibiting political activity in this state, our primary concern here is the illegal and unconstitutional action of the state governor against relevant stations for fulfilling their constitutional and social obligations - to report events and keep citizens informed of political developments in the state.
"In fact, the shut down stations would have been charged with malpractice had they failed to cover this gathering. We are also encouraged that the broadcasting industry regulator, NBC, also condemned the illegal action of Governor Bello Matawall.
The NGE further described the governor's action as a serious threat to the democratic process and democracy, "believing that it is a precarious signal to what awaits the media, ahead of the general election from 2023.
“The media reserves the right to cover all events, whether banned or not. No state government reserves the right to shut down a media house, despite its alleged violations.” In this case , the governor of Zamfara State should have written a petition to NBC, if all the stations concerned committed an infraction, resorting to self-help instead."
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