The Zamfara State government has began a regime of media censorship as it gave new powers to the Department of Security Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police, Civil Defence and Commissioner of Information to ensure media reporting of insecurity comply with professional practice.
The State Commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Dosara, told a joint briefing with journalists and security agencies that the measure was in “cognisance of the ill effects of fake news, unguarded utterances by members of both conventional and the social media.”
Stating that Zamfara State would now monitor reports on security matters, Dogara said the State wanted action against “unprofessional conduct” in media reporting over insecurity being unleashed by bandits.
The Commissioner said that “challenges with insecurity have brought Zamfara into headlines around the country in both mainstream and non-traditional media,” noting that these reports undermine its peace process to contain insecurity.
He also noted that its peace dialogue with bandits have been largely criticised in different quarters.
“The State government realises that the print and electronic media activities, especially the social media handlers undermine the peace process of the State government,, said Dosara, adding that the government would not “continue to tolerate the unwholesome act.”
“Consequent upon this, the State Commissioner of Information and security chiefs in the State have been directed to monitor the conduct of media practitioners in the State.
“The Commissioner of Police, the DSS, the Civil defence and I, as commissioner, have been saddled with the responsibility of ensuring compliance to professionalism in media practices.
“As well as cyber crimes and the violation of public peace, fundamental human rights and the rule of law,” Dosara said.
On the State government’s peace process, the Commissioner said it had removed the battleline earlier drawn between bandits and members of vigilantè groups, and facilitated the surrender of arms by many criminals.
According to him, the killings, maiming, wanton destruction of properties had also been brought to the barest minimum across the state.
The commissioner stressed that the government would not allow sabotage of the peace process.
Dosara, however, applauded journalists working in line with the ethics of the profession, who give objective and balanced reports on all matters, especially security issues, and avoid arm-chair journalism and bias in their news reports.
The Commissioner assured that the government and security agencies would respond quickly to inquiries from the media to issues as they arise, “so that the journalists are not unnecessarily delayed.”