The Lagos chapter of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB) has expressed concern over the rise in “attacks and interference against broadcasters” across the country.
In a statement on Monday, Ayo Makinde, chairman of the Lagos SNB, warned that the actions hinder public trust, citizen participation in governance, and national development.
Makinde described the trend as a “dangerous threat to constitutional freedoms”.
“They are symptoms of a systemic challenge to the role of the broadcast media as enshrined in Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution,” Makinde said.
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The SNB chairman claimed that the attack on journalists comes from both direct government actions and the misuse of existing laws.
He pointed to the Nigerian Broadcasting Code, the Cybercrimes Act, parts of the Terrorism Prevention Act, and colonial-era laws such as sedition and criminal defamation as tools often used against the media.
He added that the Public Order Act, though unrelated to the press, has been applied to limit coverage of protests and public gatherings.
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“These laws, while legitimate in their intent, have been applied in ways that intimidate rather than protect,” he added.
Makinde cited recent incidents, including Niger state governor Umar Bago’s directive to shut down Badeggi FM 90.1 and the suspension of Godfrey Chikwere, acting general manager of Legacy FM 95.1 in Ebonyi, over criticisms of the state government.
He also recalled the demolition of RayPower FM and AIT transmission masts in Rivers in 2023, NBC’s suspension of AIT and RayPower in 2019, and N5 million fines on several stations, including Trust TV in 2022.
The SNB chairman warned that gagging the media has ripple effects beyond journalism.
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He encouraged dialogue and good governance as the sustainable path forward, saying censorship only fuels mistrust and weakens a nation’s growth.
