IPI Nigeria berates Matawalle over shutdown of NTA, FRCN, others in Zamfara

The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria on Sunday berated Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State over the shut down of some media organisations in the state.

Governor Bello Matawalle had on Saturday ordered the immediate shutdown of some public and private media organisations, for allegedly violating government order and journalism practice.

The media houses that were shut down on the order of the governor include the federal government owned Radio Nigeria’s Pride FM in Gusau, and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Gusau;  Gamji Television, Vision FM, and Al Umma Television.

The Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, had in a statement on Saturday  announced the shutdown of the media houses by fiat.

Dosara said the government through the state security  council approved and ordered the closure of some media outlets in the state for allegedly violating government order and journalism practice.

IPI Nigeria, in a statement by the President, Musikilu Mojeed, in Abuja on Sunday, chided Goveernor Matawalle for the order, arguing  that the Zamfara State government does not have the power to shut down media houses.

IPI called on the Zamfara State Police Commissioner not to enforce the shutdown order of the state government.

IPI asserted that the order by the state government clearly violates the 1999 Constitution as amended, and has no place in Nigeria .

“Shutting down media houses is a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria.

“If any media organisation has flouted any law, the only option opened to the Zamfara State government is to approach the court for redress.

“Resorting to self help as done by the Zamfara State government threatens the rule of law and could lead to anarchy,” the statement read in part.

IPI declared that the Zamfara State government has taken the law into its own hands by shutting down media houses.

IPI Nigeria, therefore reiterated its demand for immediate withdrawal of all directives impeding freedom of expression in Zamfara State.

It also demanded an apology from the state government for its act.

It called on federal authorities to direct the Zamfara State governor to comply with the dictates of the rule of law.

IPI said this should be done by immediately withdrawing the order for the shutting down of the media organisations.