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MRA Condemns Closure of Bayelsa Radio,
Arrest of GM
LAGOS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2005: Media Rights Agenda (MRA) today
condemned yesterday’s closure of Bayelsa state radio station, Glory FM,
and the arrest of its General Manager, Mr. Brighten Sorgwe, following
take-over of the premises by soldiers and policemen. It called for the
immediate withdrawal of the troops, the re-opening of the station, and the
unconditional release of Mr. Sorgwe.
MRA said it learnt that a combined team of over 200 armed soldiers and
policemen, acting on the orders of the Federal government, invaded and
seized the Bayelsa State owned radio station, Glory FM in Yenogoa, at
about 5.30am on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 shut it, down and arrested
Mr. Sorgwe. The troops were also reported to have taken over the station
preventing workers from performing their duties or having access to the
station.
MRA’s Executive Director, Mr. Edetaen Ojo, said today: “There can be no
justification for the Federal Government’s action. Such high-handedness
has no place in a democracy. In any event, it is a violation of the right
to freedom of expression as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and in
international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a state party.
We see this as a very unfortunate development for the media in Nigeria,
particularly as it is happening supposedly in a democracy.”
It argued that the sum total effect of the Federal Government’s action was
to give it an upper hand in the propaganda war between it and the Bayelsa
State Government as the Federal Government owned and controlled Nigerian
Television Authority (NTA) has become the only broadcast outlet operating
in the state and is airing only news and views supportive of the Federal
Government’s position in the dispute.
The organization noted that the incident, coming just over a month after
the October 23 closure of the radio and television stations operated by
DAAR Communications Limited by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
portends tough days ahead for the Nigerian media as the democratic space
appears to be shrinking in the country.
It stressed that media freedom and freedom of expression, hallmarked in
part by media plurality and diversity as well as respect for rule of law,
are indispensable pillars of democracy. It expressed concern that media
freedom and freedom of expression are currently being eroded in Nigeria
with the result that democracy is not only being compromised but is
threatened to its foundation.
MRA noted that regardless of how right the Federal Government may feel its
position to be in the dispute involving Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye
Alamieyeseigha, it must ensure that whatever action it takes conforms with
the Constitution and that the media are not made to bear the brunt of the
disagreement between the Federal Government and the Bayelsa State
Government.
It therefore called for the immediate re-opening of the radio station and
consequent withdrawal of all the troops that have taken control of the
station; as well as the immediate and unconditional release of the General
Manager, Mr. Sorgwe.
For further information, please contact:
Ayode Longe
Media Rights Agenda
Tel: 01-493 6033 & 493 6034
Mobile: 0802 329 8628
Fax: 01-493 0831
E-mail: ayode@mediarightsagenda.org
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