Press Release on NBC Directive
M. M. OBONO
PRESS RELEASE BY THE CIVIL SOCIETY CONSORTIUM ON NBC DIRECTIVE
The Civil Society Consortium on Civic Space condemns in the strongest of terms the order by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to gag the media through the directive issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to media houses.
The directive which has its legal base from section 5 of the NBC Code is inconsistent with Section 22 1999 Constitution (role media organizations), Section 39 1999 constitution (freedom of expression and opinion) and Article 9 African Charter on Human and Peoples Right (Right to receive information and free expression without interference).
Speaking recently, Convener of the Consortium, Mbasekei Martin Obono said that directives by the NBC is a further attempt by the government to shrink the civic space and endanger the lives of citizens even further. “We are in an era where people living in Nigeria need access to security information more than ever before to make informed decision on how to move around or navigate dangerous terrains the country. The order can cause more deaths and destruction of properties if citizens cannot access information about dangers ahead of time. Preventing media organizations from reporting insecurity is not only a breach of the constitutional rights of the media, it will portend unjust and avoidable casualty in the country.”
He went further to state that, the order is a breach of right for citizens to access and digest information to the point of forming an opinion that may affect the outcome of the 2023 elections. “Citizens need to have access to media reports and information that will help them determine whether or not the ruling party at the center has performed creditably in the area of security to deserve another electoral opportunity in 2023”.
As a Consortium, the attempt to gag the media is a direct attack on the fundamental rights of every citizen of Nigeria. Media organizations in Nigeria already self-censor their reports and they do not need further official directives from the federal government on how to operate.
Members of the Consortium
Tap Nitaitive For Citizens Development
African Centre For Media and Information Literacy (AFRICML)
Global Rights Nigeria
Dataphyte
Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria
Al-habibiyyah Islamic Society
Inibehe Effiong Chambers
Cross River Watch
Nigerian Bar Association, Unity Bar
Agba Jalingo
Basic Rights Council
HRM Dr. Etim Okon, Chairman Cross River Traditional Rulers Council
HRH Eze Ositadinma Nwokocha, Imo Traditional Rulers Council
HRH Chief Michael Akpabio, Akpabio Traditional Rulers Council
DASS Emirate, Bauchi State
Advocacy Centre For Development
Network of Yobe Civil Society Organizations, Yobe
Association of NGOs, Gombe State
Gombe Emirate Council
Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy
Premium Times Centre For Investigative Journalism
International Centre For Investigative Reporting
Citizens Gavel
Connected Development
Dorothy Njemanze Foundation
Dinidari Foundation
Lawyers Alert
CDD West Africa
Medley Project
YIAVHA Nigeria
Education as Vaccine
Centre for Liberty
Bauchi State Network of CSOs
TIERS
Destiny Youth Foundation
Before 40 Youth Foundation
KIMPACT Development
AC4D
Jennon Pius & Co Legal practioners