Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports.
The International Press Centre (IPC) in Lagos is concerned about the federal government’s threat to sanction the BBC and Trust TV, which are owned by Media Trust Limited, the publishers of Daily Trust Newspapers, for broadcasting documentaries that allegedly glorify and fuel terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.
According to Melody Lawal, the IPC Programme and Safety Desk Officer, the government’s hasty conclusion that appropriate sanctions would be meted out to both platforms is preposterous and indefensible.
Mr Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, stated on July 28, 2022, that “the federal government was aware of the unprofessional documentary by BBC Africa Eye, in which interviews were granted to bandit warlords and terror gangs, allegedly promoting terror in the country.”
Trust Tv was also chastised by the minister for granting an interview to a bandit, Shehu Rekeb, allegedly promoting terrorist activities.
While it is appropriate for the government to complain about any offensive news report, the IPC stated that “it is preposterous and indefensible that the same government will hastily conclude that “appropriate sanctions would be meted out to both platforms.”
“It is trite law that Mr Lai Mohammed, who is also a lawyer, cannot be the accuser, prosecutor, and judge in the matter at hand,” said Mr Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the IPC.
“Rather than convicting the media houses, the federal government should create a petition and send it to the relevant media or regulatory bodies for intervention, and then wait for them to act.”
The federal government’s threat to sanction BBC and Trust TV, according to Arogundade, could be interpreted as an attempt to stifle information flow in the country.
“This threat is one of several government attempts to stifle media information flow.”
“Sanctioning media organizations for giving bandit warlords interviews about issues related to the country’s security challenges is also a subtle attempt to suppress the right to information,” he added.
“While the current wave of insecurity in the country affects us all, credible information is equally important in determining the root cause of the concerning development.” The threat’s goal, however, is to turn the media into a one-sided channel of information where only perspectives from government sources are permitted; this is incompatible with the journalistic practice of providing balanced coverage and information to citizens.”
Arogundade went on.
The IPC emphasized the importance of guaranteeing and respecting citizens’ fundamental rights to free expression and media freedom, and that the government should not dictate how the media presents its report to the public.
