#YNaijaEndSARSupdates: The government is trying to gag the media and this won’t be the first time | #EndSARS

Ever since the #LekkiMassacre took place, several attempts have been made by the political class to cover up and disregard clear evidence of the murder of many innocent young Nigerians. Not only have they tried to silence those at the forefront of the protest who documented the gruesome murder of fellow peaceful protesters, but they are also coming for the press for their reportage of the sad incident.

Recent reports have it that, “The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has sanctioned three major broadcast stations over their alleged roles in the escalation of violence across the nation.”

The NBC which is the broadcast regulator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; was reported to have fined Arise TV, African Independent Television (AIT) and Channels Television between N2million and N3million for “airing unverified images of the alleged shooting.”

Sadly, this is not the first time the media is being attacked for the objective reportage of the ongoings in the nation. It is quite unfortunate that President Buhari’s administration has recorded the worst attacks on the press in 34 years according to research; so much so that the government’s attempt to gag the media was extended to the use of social media by Nigerians. Fortunately, the proposal of the social media bill was met with stiff opposition by Chris Isiguzo, President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other civil society groups, who vehemently opposed the bill during a public hearing earlier this year.

“This bill…seeks to pigeonhole Nigerians from freely expressing themselves.” The NUJ is “totally opposed to it,” he said.

But why does the government put so much effort into silencing the media if they have nothing to hide? 

We can only imagine what would have become of the evidence of the #LekkiMassacre circulating on social media if the social media bill had been passed into law.

Nigerians wonder if a supposedly enlightened government is meant to be reminded that freedom of information is a fundamental right of the people. Similarly, the press has a right to circulate facts to keep society informed of the state of the nation.

As a reminder, the provision of Press Freedom as enshrined in section 39(1) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states that “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference”.

Unfortunately, some Nigerians who think themselves to be “above the law” now bend or disregard these laws where a narrative does not suit their agenda or selfish interests even in the face of crystal clear evidence.

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