…Says true democracy thrives on transparency, not intimidation
Former Commissioner for Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture in Kano State, Malam Muhammad Garba, has advised the Kano State Government to embrace tolerance, accountability, and constructive engagement with the media instead of dismissing the recent report by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ).
Garba’s counsel followed sustained criticism of the Kano State Government by local and international media rights organizations. The latest report from the WSCIJ — a globally respected non-governmental and non-profit body promoting social justice through investigative journalism — ranked Kano among the top three Nigerian states with the most violations of press freedom in 2024.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Garba said that genuine collaboration between government and the media would enhance the flow of accurate information, deepen citizens’ understanding of government policies, and promote transparency in governance.
According to Garba, a government confident enough to engage the press constructively demonstrates both strength and accountability.
“Freedom of the press is measured not by plaques or ceremonies, but by the ability of journalists to report without fear of reprisal,” he emphasized.
The former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) stressed that open communication and mutual respect between the state and journalists will build trust, strengthen public confidence, and enhance the credibility of government communications.
He described as contradictory the government’s claim of promoting free speech while simultaneously using state institutions to intimidate journalists and silence dissenting voices.
“The media is not an enemy of government; it is a partner in nation-building,” Garba said. “Respecting press freedom is not only a constitutional obligation but also a mark of mature and responsive leadership.”
Garba noted with concern that, despite the government’s dismissal of the WSCIJ report as “misleading and malicious,” the growing record of arrests, intimidation, and restrictive media policies paints a worrying picture of repression.
He cited several incidents, including:
• The directive by the state government to the police to investigate Daily Nigerian publisher Jafar Jaafar after a report alleging corruption involving a senior government official;
• The arrest and detention of Ibrahim Ishaq Dan’uwa Rano, founder of Dan’uwa Rano TV, over a similar report;
• The detention of Kano Times reporters Buhari Rano and Ismail Auwal, and the arrest of Abdulaziz Aliyu of Waraka Online TV for publishing critical stories; and
• The August 2024 attack on a Channels Television crew bus by machete-wielding assailants during a protest in Kano.
Beyond these actions, Garba condemned the government’s restrictive media directives, including bans on live political programmes and warnings against asking what it termed “provocative questions.” He argued that such policies amount to censorship and undermine democratic governance.
Garba, who also serves as a steering committee member of the International Forum on Ethical Journalism, called on Governor Yusuf’s administration to reverse this trend and adopt a media-friendly approach that guarantees journalists’ safety and freedom.
He concluded that democracy can only thrive in an environment where the government and the media operate in synergy rather than hostility.
