PRESS FREEDOM UNDER SIEGE IN NIGERIA
Barely a month after the celebration of the Annual World Press Freedom Day, the Nigerian Government Aso Rock Villa through its media regulation body, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), moved for a ban on #DAAR Communications Limited, an independent media company, owners of the popular TV and Radio station, Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM Abuja
The #NBC stated incitement of scurry, hate speech, lack of proper censorship and unprofessionalism as reasons for its ban but the likely predominant reason must be AIT's stark support for and promotion of the activities nation's foremost opposition party, the Official Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Nigeria.
The NBC currently spearheaded by Mallam Ishaq Modibbu Kawu, a card carrying member of the nation's ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a gubernatorial candidate for Kwara State, who lost in the just concluded elections, claimed to have issued several warnings to AIT over the past thee years under President Muhammadu Buhari's regime, stating displeasure over the lack of neutrality in broadcasting and the infusion of contents from social media platforms.
In the words of Obiageli Oby Ezekwesili "Patriotism is to support government when it deserves, and support the people at all times" but the Buhari-led government is having none of these.
This is the third in a series of attacks on the nation's media and press freedom by government. Over a month ago, President #Buhari promised not to "muzzle the media" but has become increasingly violent to any modicum of opposition, critism or factual villification. Such acts are consistent with the nature of the President overtime, as a tyrant, an unrepentant dictator and a ruthless media enemy as witnessed in his rule in 1983, during the nation's military era.
President Buhari must be called to order to prevent a full suppression of the media and the death of democracy in #Nigeria having successfully tampered with and subdued the judiciary, the military and the legislative arm of government.
Pulse Nigeria Guardian Nigeria U.S. Embassy Nigeria Channels Television Instablog9ja
