A non-governmental organisation in Nigeria known as ‘SERAP’ has given Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari 48 hours to withdraw proposed sanction against media organisations, BBC and Daily Trust over their documentaries on terrorism in the country.
‘SERAP’ which is acronym for ‘Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project’ is a non-profit, non-partisan, legal and advocacy organisation devoted to promoting transparency, accountability and respect for socio-economic rights in Nigeria.
SERAP issued the statement to urge President Muhammadu Buhari to ‘urgently instruct Mr Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture to withdraw the threat to sanction the BBC and Daily Trust over their documentaries on terrorism in the country, whether through the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) or any other agency of government’
Recall that last week BBC released a documentary showing bandits in the forest revealing that government benefits from terrorism and banditry.
See: Insecurity Benefits Gov’t And Everyone, Bandit Reveals – Video
So, last Thursday, the Minister of Information and Culture – Lai Mohammed, stated that the Federal Government would sanction the BBC and Daily Trust for airing documentaries that ‘glorify’, ‘promote’, and ‘fuel’ terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.
Hence, SERAP in a letter dated July 30, 2022 and signed by SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said,
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The media has the duty to impart information and ideas on issues of public importance.
If carried out, the threat to sanction the BBC and Daily Trust would inhibit the media from reporting on issues of public interest.
Media houses and journalists ought to be given the room to determine how best to present information of public interest, especially information about the growing violence and killings across the country”, according to SERAP.
The organisation added that the government should focus on delivering its promises to ensure the security of Nigerians.
Part of the letter read:
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We would be grateful if the requested action is taken within 48 hours of the receipt and/ or publication of this letter.
If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions in the public interest.
Ref: SERAP website
