Muhammad Garba
A former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Information Commissioner, Malam Muhammad Garba says Kano State Government’s attempt to discredit the report of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) on press freedom will only further dent its image.
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.
He advised the government to be tolerant, accountable, and constructive in its dealings with the media instead of attempting to dismiss the recent report, which has further generated more criticisms against it.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Garba said 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.
“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.
According to him, 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 also identified the government’s restrictive media directives, including bans on live political programmes and warnings against asking what it termed “provocative questions,” which are clear directives that 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 reminded the governor that democracy only thrives in an environment where government and the media operate in synergy rather than hostility.