Media tyranny a threat to democracy

OPERATING under a suffocating economy and hostile officialdom, the mass media recently came under another odious and unwarranted assault, this time from the Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle. Like a medieval emperor, the governor peremptorily ordered the closure of Radio Nigeria, Pride FM Gusau, NTA Gusau, Gamji Television, Vision FM, and Al Umma TV simply for discharging their responsibility of informing the citizens. This abuse of power is vexatious. The media should redouble its resistance to tyranny and compel all temporary occupiers of public office to understand that press freedom is a fundamental right, and that press censorship has no place in a democracy.

Following the resurgence of banditry and the recent killing of many people in parts of the state, the state government had issued Executive Order No.10, 2022 suspending all political activities in the state till further notice. It banned political meetings and gatherings at private residences. But the decision, which was apparently construed as an attempt to stifle the opposition, was breached by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, which held a rally in Gusau, the state capital.

Incensed, the state government sealed off the media outfits that covered the rally. It ordered the state Commissioner of Police to arrest and prosecute any of their staff seen around the affected media organisations. This is executive rascality; such recklessness and impunity have no place in any modern society, much less in a democratising one.

Though the siege on the media outlets has since been lifted and state government forced to retreat, the episode is a worrisome continuation of long-running intolerance at the federal and state levels. It should be resisted.

Though the fracas at the rally, which led to the killing of one person and injuries to 18 others, was regrettable and deserves strong law enforcement response, the governor went overboard in exercising his indignation. Matawalle cannot whimsically appropriate the powers of the court and arrogate to himself the authority to prosecute and decide the fate of the media organisations. It is ironic that he did not go after the organisers of the rally but chose to clamp down on the media who are duty-bound to report all activities.

While we acknowledge the apologies of the state government over its highhandedness, the government perhaps needs some lessons about the critical roles and importance of the media in the society. It is the responsibility of the media to report on all public activities; even banned activities must be reported.

The International Press Centre rightly condemned the closure of the media organisations, saying, “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.”

Freedom of the press is codified in the 1999 Constitution, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and in the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights among other international treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory. In a democracy, declares the European Union, “a free press is a vital organ of a democratic society.”

The abuse of the media and attacks on journalists are emblematic of the trials journalism is being subjected to in the country under the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.). Matawalle was simply toeing the infamous path of a regime that constantly victimises the media.

In the aftermath of the October 20, 2020 #EndSARS protests, the National Broadcasting Commission imposed N3 million fines each on AIT, Channels TV, and Arise News television stations, for alleged violation of the broadcasting code in reporting the protests.

In August, the NBC directed AIT, Silverbird TV, and 50 other broadcasting corporations to shut down their operations within 24 hours over licensing fee debts amounting to N2.6 billion. Auspiciously, the NBC’s misconceived onslaught on press freedom and civil liberties was halted by the Federal High Court, Lagos, following an interim injunction secured by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, and the Nigerian Guild of Editors. More worrisome is NBC’s censorship of broadcast content, particularly its curb on reporting of unrest/conflict on the unsubstantiated argument that detailed reporting may hinder security operations.

Despite its heroic role in fighting for democracy, the press remains the whipping boy of Nigeria’s treacherous political class. The IPC’s Safety of Journalists Alert Desk has documented several attacks on journalists while performing their duty. Many have been arrested, physically assaulted, detained, and jailed. Journalists continue to be subjected to extra-legal harassment.

Over 30 cases of attacks on journalists have been recorded by the Press Attack Tracker in 2022, the second highest in four years after 2019 when 74 attacks were recorded. Nigeria is ranked 129 of 180 countries by Reporters Without Borders on its Safety of Journalists Chart. The RSF says, “Nigeria is one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists, who are often watched, attacked, arbitrarily arrested and even killed.”

A country that cherishes civil liberties does not encourage media repression. Only an independent media can keep the people informed and hold leaders accountable; this is essential for a strong and sustainable democracy, including free and fair elections. Without it, Nigerians cannot make informed decisions about how they are governed, and address human rights abuses, corruption, and abuse of power.

In its Freedom in the World 2022 ranking, Freedom House scored the country 20 over 40 in political rights, and 23 out of 60 in civil liberties. Freedom of speech, expression, and the press are constitutionally guaranteed. However, these rights are limited by sedition, criminal defamation, and so-called “fake news” laws. Similarly, Sharia statutes in 12 northern states impose severe penalties for alleged press offences.

The Buhari regime is duty-bound to uphold and defend press freedom as guaranteed by the constitution. Furthermore, journalists should be allowed access to government sources and records so long they do not threaten national security. Media organisations, journalists and broadcasters should constantly seek legal redress when their rights, freedom and livelihoods are threatened.