Bauchi govt and freedom of expression

Journalists are friends not enemies. But in Bauchi State the reverse is the case. Expelling the Ray Power FM radio station from Bauchi is signaling nothing but exposing the inner-mind of the current administration of governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar. The governor should not wage a total war against freedom of expression, victimisation of journalists and […]

Journalists are friends not enemies. But in Bauchi State the reverse is the case. Expelling the Ray Power FM radio station from Bauchi is signaling nothing but exposing the inner-mind of the current administration of governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar. The governor should not wage a total war against freedom of expression, victimisation of journalists and on the social media activists/bloggers in the state. Why this?
Journalists should be allowed to have access to information as it is in the constitution and not to be harassed. They shouldn’t be suppressed, molested or put on detention. This is against the democracy that brought the government into the power. Honestly, we the people of Bauchi State believe the government should be open and transparent. There are a lot of delinquencies and “I don’t care attitudes.”
The media, especially private owned ones, should be allowed to do their work without interference. Their contributions to nation building and democracy must be considered. The governor’s advisers should tell him the truth.
State monopoly in the media is against the right to freedom of expression as it is stated vividly in the Nigeria’s constitution. Lastly, the government should stop harassing the private press.
Muhammad B. Mujtaba, Azare, [email protected]