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MRA Condemns the Sealing Up of The
Guardian Newspapers
The Media Rights Agenda condemns unequivocally the forceful
and unlawful “sealing up” of the premises of the Guardian Newspapers Ltd,
on Sunday August 14, 1994, by agents of the Nigerian Police Force
apparently acting on the instructions of the present military
administration of General Sani Abacha.
The Media Rights Agenda particularly notes that this recent
act of repression by the present military dictatorship was motivated by a
story captioned “inside Aso Rock” published in the Guardian on Sunday
edition of Sunday August 14, 1994. The Media Rights Agenda therefore
considers that this reprehensible interference with the functions of the
Guardian Newspapers Ltd is a continuation of the present regime’s efforts
to suppress the independent media and perpetuate a one-sided flow of
information to the general public on issues concerning the present
political situation in Nigeria.
The Media Rights Agenda considers that the closure of
Guardian Newspapers Ltd is a blatant, unjustifiable, and unconstitutional
violation of the right of the press to freely impart information, as well
as the right of the general public to receive information, all guaranteed
and protected under Section 36 of the 1979 Constitution and Article 9 of
the African Charter on Human and peoples’ Rights.
The Media Rights Agenda calls upon the military authorities
to immediately terminate this illegal interference with the constitutional
rights of the Guardian Newspapers Ltd and the rights of Nigerian citizens
to receive balanced and unbiased information, and in any event, vows to
employ all legitimate means at its disposal to redress this unwholesome
development.
TIVE
DENEDO
TUNDE FAGBOHUNLU
GENERAL
SECRETARY
LEGAL DIRECTOR
MEDIA RIGHTS AGENDA
MEDIA RIGHTS AGENDA
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