Following criticism, the Zamfara State Government has reversed its decision to shut down five broadcast stations in the state.
Okay.ng had reported that the government had ordered the closure of various media outlets in Gusau, the state’s capital, for covering a rally for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The affected media outlets are the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria’s (FRCN) Pride FM, Gamji TV, and FM, Al umma TV, as well as the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
The governor, Bello Matawalle, had already declared a complete lockdown in the state’s Anka, Bukkuyum, and Gummi LGAs due to a recent uptick in bandit attacks.
Additionally, Matawalle commanded the cessation of political gatherings and activity in the impacted areas.
At a press conference on Monday, Abdullahi Shinkafi, the head of the state committee on prosecuting banditry and associated crimes, expressed regret to the media.
According to Shinkafi, the purported disobedience of the executive order incensed the authorities.
Adding that “the police has confirmed that one individual was shot dead and 18 others were injured during the event,” he said that the “illegal political gathering” was the cause of the security breach.
Shinkafi remarked that the government’s conduct elicited comments and objections from many organisations and institutions.
He said that the government had since revoked the directive to the police commissioner to detain and charge anyone seen near the impacted media organizations.
He claimed that in order to free up the staff to get back to work, the government also withdrew the security personnel stationed at the media outlets.
He pleaded with the media organizations and all journalists to uphold the state’s laws and aid the administration in combating banditry and kidnapping.
The statement “MEDIA RESERVES RIGHT TO COVER ALL EVENTS”
On Monday, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) referred to the stations’ closure as “illegal” and “unconstitutional.”
No state government has the authority to close any media outlet, according to NGE’s president and general secretary, Mustapha Isah and Iyobosa Uwugiaren, respectively.
The guild stated: “The NGE does not even want to go into the illegality of the ban on political activities in that state.
However, 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, if the shut stations hadn’t covered the event, they would have been charged with wrongdoing. We are also pleased by the fact that Governor Bello Matawalle’s illegal behavior has been denounced by the broadcasting industry’s governing body, the NBC.
“The media retains the right to report on any events, regardless of whether they are prohibited. No state government has the authority to shut down a media organization, despite any alleged wrongdoing.
