The International Press Centre for Safety and Protection of Journalists(I-CSPJ) has condemned the closure of AIT and Ray Power FM in Port Harcourt by the River State Government recently.
The Executive Director, International Press Council (IPC), Mr Lanre Arogundare, said this in a statement by Melody Akinjiyan, IPC’s Press Freedom Officer, on Tuesday in Lokoja.Arogundade also called for safety and protection of practicing Journalists as it frowned at the recent attack on Mr Ikem Okuhu, a Veteran Journalist by men believed to be security operatives.He described the recent closure of Africa Independent Television, AIT and Raypower FM operations in Port Harcourt by the state government as “unacceptable” and a “violation of the rule of law.”
“It’s very unfortunate that the River state government shut down two stations’ operations through contracted telecommunications engineers accompanied by armed security operatives.“Using contractors to disconnect the wave guard from the antenna on the mast, while riggers dismantle the mast and bulldozers to demolish the Transmitter Complex at DAAR Communications PLC Broadcast Centre is condemnable.“We believe that the closure of the media outlet is another attempt to stifle press freedom in the country warning that the state government should immediately stop actions towards that course.“The Rivers State Government should come open with any grievance it may have against AIT/Raypower in the State and refrain from further arbitrary self-help like the demolition”, he said.
The director, however, advised the Rivers government to allow AIT and Raypower FM to continue its operations, while it seek legal redress if it believes the media outfits have committed any offence.On the attack on veteran journalist Ikem Okuhu’s life, by two men who introduced themselves as officers of the Nigerian Police, Enugu State Command at the burial of the father-in-law of his younger brother at Umabor, Eha Alumona Nsukka, the director called thorough investigation into the matter.According to him, Okuhu had in a press briefing in Lagos, said he was at Umabor for the burial of the father-in-law of his younger brother and had gone out to make a phone call when one of those people walked up to him and started a casual conversation with him.He said that they had claimed they were Police officers ordered to bring him to Enugu following a written petition against him by someone.But that on inquiry of their identity, the person who wrote the petition and the issue involved, they couldn’t give answers instead they tried to herd him to their vehicle.“I-CSPJ is deeply worried about the situation of the veteran journalist and hereby calls on the Nigerian government and the security agencies to ensure that Okuhu is not harmed in any way.“I-CSPJ also enjoins anyone who may be aggrieved over the reports by the journalist to seek redress through legal channels instead of attempting to resort to extra-judicial self-help, ” Arogundade said. (NAN)
