The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the Kano State Government's recently introduced media regulations, describing them as "unconstitutional" and beyond the authority of any state government.
In a statement issued on Thursday, NBA President Afam Osigwe criticized the new directives, which include a complete ban on live political programmes across all media outlets in Kano State. The regulations also require media guests to sign undertakings not to make abusive or defamatory remarks.
"The Nigerian Bar Association unequivocally states that no state government has the legal competence to regulate or censor broadcast content in Nigeria," Osigwe declared, emphasizing that such authority rests solely with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
According to the NBA, the Kano government's actions constitute "a gross violation of Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)," which guarantees every Nigerian the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to receive and impart information without interference.
The controversial regulations, which the Kano government claims were introduced following consultative meetings with media executives, also prohibit presenters from asking "provocative questions" or making gestures that could "incite defamation or damage Kano State's image."
Osigwe warned that attempts to suppress political discourse "under the guise of maintaining public order" set a dangerous precedent that threatens the vibrancy of political discourse, transparency, and accountability in a democratic society.
"The NBA calls for the immediate reversal of this directive and urges the National Broadcasting Commission to reassert its regulatory authority to prevent future encroachments by state governments," the statement concluded.
The NBA further noted that the NBC Code already provides a comprehensive framework for regulating broadcasting, including mechanisms for addressing inappropriate or harmful content, making the state government's intervention unnecessary and legally untenable.
