Outrage over closure of AIT, Raypower…NUJ issues 24-hour reopening ultimatum to NBC

The Nigeria Union of Journalists has raised the alarm over the closure of AIT and Raypower by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), stating that the action portends grave danger for Free Press and independent media.

NUJ in a press statement signed by its National President, Chris Isiguzo, and National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman,Thursday in Abuja, condemned the closure over allegations of breach of 2004 Broadcasting Code and insisted that there were better ways of sanctioning media organisations  that are found to have erred.

It read in part: “The NUJ is alarmed at the closure of AIT by the National Broadcasting Commission and believes that the action portends grave danger for Free Press and Independent Media.

“Independent and Pluralistic Media in a democracy like Nigeria serve to promote democracy by their  dissemination of authentic information and ensuring transparency in governance. 

“We condemn this closure over allegations of breach of 2004 Broadcasting Code  and insist there are better ways of sanctioning media organisations  that are found to have erred.”

The union further stated: “It will be helpful if the NBC will immediately reopen AIT to ensure that  they continue to promote debate and opinions on issues that are of societal, economic, and political importance to the nation. We expect them to do the needful in 24-hours.”

Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned alleged attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled federal government to cage the media as being witnessed in the attacks on Africa Independent Television (AIT) by government agencies, particularly the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

PDP in a statement issued by its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, Thursday said, “It is evident that the attack on AIT is targeted at intimidating and gaging the media, repress constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech and stifle public opinion, particularly as related to the determination by Nigerians to retrieve the stolen Presidential mandate at the tribunal.

The statement read, ” The clamp down on AIT as well as earlier siege on other media houses and journalists under the APC administration, ostensibly point to a plot to frighten and asphyxiate the media, shut down outlets perceived to hold dissenting views and ultimately foist a siege mentality on our citizenry to restrain their demand for fairness and justice in the polity.

“The APC is mortally afraid that a free press will raise the red flag and expose its manipulations and any attempt to subvert the course of justice, especially in the Presidential petition, hence this desperation to strangulate the media and cow Nigerians from freely expressing themselves.

“Moreover, the PDP invites Nigerians to note that the Director-General of the NBC, Ishaq Modibbo Kawu, is a card carrying member and front line leader in the APC who was also an aspirant on the platform of the party for the governorship of Kwara state.

“The PDP notes that there can be no democracy without a free press. To stifle the media is an invitation to fascism and a return to the era of obnoxious military Decrees 2 and 4, which must be resisted by all.

“Our party therefore calls on Nigerians and the International community to unite in condemning this desperation to gag the media and repress free speech in Nigeria.

“The PDP also charges the media to remain professional and steadfast in their constitutional role of holding government and its institutions accountable and not be intimidated by oppressive forces that seek to subjugate Nigerians.”

Similarly, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the last election has attacked the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government for shutting down the African Independent Television, AIT, saying such action is dictatorial.

Atiku said he had been a democrat throughout his political career and had championed the principle of separation of power.

“I am a lifelong democrat and throughout my political life, I have championed the principles of Separation of Powers. The Legislature has been challenged. The Judiciary has been tackled.

“If, at this time, we stand by as the Press loses its independence, there will be little to differentiate us from a dictatorship. This should not happen,” he said.

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