the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has condemned the Zamfara state government’s order for the closure of some media organizations operating in the state, calling the action reprehensible and unacceptable.
State Governor Mohammed Bello Matawalle on Saturday ordered the immediate closure of some public and private media organizations for allegedly violating “journalism laws.”
Affected media outlets included the federally owned Radio Nigeria’s Pride FM in Gusau and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Gusau. Others are Gamji Television, Vision FM and Al Umma Television.
Zamfara state has been a hotbed of banditry, kidnapping and other crimes. The state government recently suspended political activities as part of new security measures.
A statement signed by state Information Commissioner Ibrahim Dosara said the Zamfara State Security Council “approved and ordered the closure of some media outlets in the state for violating journalism laws.”
However, the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara went ahead on Saturday to hold an event in Gusau, the state capital, which was covered by the media.
The coverage of the event by the affected media is what triggered the unwarranted action of the Zamfara government.
IPI Nigeria, in a statement by its President Musikilu Mojeed, noted that the Zamfara State Government does not have the power to shut down the media and calls on the Zamfara State Police Commissioner not to enforce the government’s illegal directive. .
“The state government’s order clearly violates the amended 1999 Constitution and has no place in a civilized society like ours,” Mojeed said. “It reminds Nigerians of the dark days of the Nigerian military when various authoritarian regimes cracked down on media organizations.
“Shutting down the media is a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
“If any law has been broken by any media outlet, the only option for the Zamfara state government is to go to court for redress. Resorting to self-help, as the Zamfara state government does, threatens the rule of law and could lead to anarchy.
“By shutting down the media, the Zamfara state government has taken justice into its own hands. No entity, no matter how powerful, can take justice into their own hands.
“IPI Nigeria therefore reiterates its demand for the immediate withdrawal of all directives that impede freedom of expression in Zamfara state, and demands an apology from the state government for its heinous act.
“IPI Nigeria also calls on the federal authorities to order the Governor of Zamfara State to comply with the dictates of the rule of law by immediately withdrawing the order to close media organizations and desist from any such acts” .