The 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, Peter Obi has reacted to the recent election-related media advisory issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Obi, in a statement issued on Tuesday warned that Nigeria is currently drifting into a dangerous precedent that appears to be an attempt to muzzle the media space.
Obi’s reaction follows an advisory issued by the NBC on Friday urging media practitioners, especially broadcast anchors and presenters to abide by the ethics of the journalism profession while dealing with guests.
The commission in its advisory warned that intimidating guests during broadcast shows among others, contravenes the NBC code and will attract sanctions as the 2027 general elections approach.
It also warned that any anchor or presenter who expresses personal opinion as fact, bullies or intimidates a guest or denies parties a fair hearing to opposing views is deemed to have committed a Class B breach.
However, reacting to the content of NBC’s advisory, Obi said it is unfortunate that “yesterday’s advocates of democracy” have become “today’s oppressors of the press”.
He said that at a time when Nigeria should be strengthening its vital democratic institutions, the nation is witnessing a pattern that shows the opposite.
Also describing the advisory by the commission as “very troubling, the former governor said that a free and responsible media should not be an enemy to any administration, especially one that claims to have fought for democracy.
“The media is the conscience of the nation. Attempting to stifle voices, moderate opinions, or intimidate journalists under the guise of regulation only weakens our already fragile democracy. Institutions are not built to serve governments; they are built to serve the people.
“At a time when insecurity is on the rise, young Nigerians are losing faith in the country, and the economy continues to fail the average citizen. Our focus should not be on controlling media narratives, but on delivering results.
“Nigeria does not need stronger control. Nigeria needs stronger institutions. I stand in solidarity with Nigeria’s media houses and broadcasters who are standing against this attempt to silence independent voices and restrict free expression.
“We must return to the path of transparency, accountability, and true independence of all arms and agencies of government. We cannot continue to endanger our democracy,” Obi said.