The Zamfara State Government has ordered the shutdown of all federal and private media houses in the state for covering the political rally organised by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in the State has been directed to arrest all pressmen that attended the event.
The announcement was communicated by the State Commissioner of Information, Malam Ibrahim Magaji Dosara via the local state-owned radio.
The order affects Radio Nigeria Pride FM, NTA, Gamji FM amongst others.
Meanwhile, the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has expressed serious concern over the closure of some media houses by the Zamfara State Government.
In a statement signed by its Director General, Balarabe Illelah, the commission urged the security agencies to ignore the directive.
The Commission also restated its determination to resist any attempt to use the media to truncate the democracy and its gains or causes any breach of peace.
It urged any aggrieved group or person to toe the path of peace by approaching the court for redress.Below is the NBC reaction to the development.
ILLEGAL CLOSURE OF BROADCAST STATIONS BY ZAMFARA STATE GOVERNMENT.
The National Broadcasting Commission has noted with serious concern the illegal action of Zamfara State Government by directing the shutdown of operations of licensees of the Commission in the State, on Saturday, October 15, 2022.
The NBC has clearly notified the State Government of the gravity of the illegality and requested it to expeditiously reverse the directive and apologize to the people of the State.
We also urge the Secunty Agencies to ignore the call to restrict Staff of the affected Stations from conducting their legitimate dutes.
The Commission wishes to further emphasize that it will resist ANY attempt to cause any breach of law and order ANYWHERE through the misuse of the broadcast media in Nigeria, before, during and after the 2023 national elections.
We call on ALL industry stakeholders to resist ANY attempt to truncate the hard earned democratic gains in Nigeria.
ANY aggrieved Person or Institution with genuine complaint(s) arising from unprofessional conduct or action by ANY licensed broadcaster in Nigeria is hereby requested to follow the laid down processes enshrined in the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The Commission will not relent to discharge its mandate according to the NBC Act, CAP. Nil, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. All broadcast license holders are urged to ensure strict compliance and avoid ANY acton inimical to democratic governance and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
Kindly extend the warmest high regards and assurances of the Director-General and the Board of management of the NBC, to ALL Nigenans.
Yours sincerely,
Signed
Balarabe Shehu Ilelah Director-General, NBC.
NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMMISSION
