Category: Media

“Cybercrime Act now Tinubu Govt.’s weapon of tyranny” – SERAP, Editors cry out

Aminu Imam
SERAP, Editors

A storm of criticism is sweeping through Nigeria’s media and civil rights landscape as the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have launched a scathing attack on the Tinubu administration over the “draconian” use of the Cybercrimes Act to silence dissent. In a powerful joint declaration delivered on World Press Freedom Day, the two bodies accused federal and state authorities of using the controversial law to criminalise journalism, muzzle free speech and terrorise critics, calling for the immediate release of all unlawfully detained…

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DSO: ‘Nigeria must ditch the past, embrace a digital future’ – Stakeholders tell FG

Aminu Imam
Stakeholders on DSO

Stakeholders in the  broadcast industry have warned the current administration about the mistakes of the past regime that militated against Nigeria’s smooth transition to  digital broadcasting. The Digital Switch-Over (DSO) is key to this transformation, promising economic growth, innovation, and better access to information. Yet, nearly two decades after its launch, the DSO remains stalled due to bureaucracy, outdated policies, and lack of political will.   The stakeholders stated that to unlock its potential, the Nigeria must abandon outdated analogue systems and fully adopt digital technology.  According to the stakeholders, Nigeria…

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Federal High Court Adjourns Landmark Case on Alleged Illegal Broadcasting by Arewa24 TV

Aminu Imam
NBMOA on broadcast drift

Aminu Imam The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Honorable Justice Omotosho, has adjourned the hearing of the case between the Northern Broadcast Media Owners Association (NBMOA) Board of Trustees and Network Arewa24 Limited, operators of the Arewa24 TV channel, to March 25, 2025. The NBMOA alleges that Arewa24 is operating illegally in Nigeria without the necessary licenses, which they argue disrupts the legal and competitive media landscape. The lawsuit also names several other defendants, including the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the National Broadcasting Commission…

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CSJ identifies 254 ‘frivolous’ items in 2025 Budget

Aminu Imam
CSJ identifies Budget

A non-governmental advocacy group, the Centre for Social Justice, (CSJ), has identified 254 wasteful and inappropriate expenditures in the Federal Government’s proposed 2025 Budget, currently under review at the 10th National Assembly. The budget, totaling ₦49.74 trillion, includes a projected ₦13.08 trillion deficit and ₦16.33 trillion for debt servicing. Critics argue that excessive spending on vehicles, office supplies, and unrelated projects undermines efforts to address Nigeria’s economic challenges, including high inflation and poverty. CSJ estimates that eliminating these frivolous expenses could save the country up to ₦954 billion. Among the…

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HURIWA faults Benue Govt’s armed invasion of Joy FM

Aminu Imam
HURIWA faults Benue

…Says its an assault on press freedom THE Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned the forceful invasion and closure of Joy FM 96.5, Otukpo, by the Benue State Government, calling it a brazen assault on press freedom and democracy. The rights group described the armed invasion by security operatives as a clear case of state-sponsored thuggery and intimidation against the media, warning that such dictatorial actions could plunge Nigeria into a dangerous era of media suppression. Reports indicate that on Thursday, a team of heavily armed…

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Broadcasting: IBAN calls for regulatory engagement, capacity-building and Government support

Aminu Imam
IBAN calls for govt support

The Board of Trustees (BOT) and Executive Council of the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria, (IBAN), have outlined key action plans aimed at addressing pressing challenges in the broadcasting industry.  The resolutions were made during a joint meeting hosted yesterday by Channels Media Group, which was held in Abuja. In an issued communiqué, signed by IBAN Chairman, John Momoh, and Secretary, Charles Daniels, the association emphasised the need for engagement with regulatory bodies such as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, (ARCON).  Given the…

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Uba Sani bags ThisDay/AriseTV ‘Governor-of-the-Year’ award

Aminu Imam
Gov. Uba Sani bags award

In recognition of his ground-breaking efforts in restoring peace and fostering unity in Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani has been named “Governor of the Year” at the prestigious ThisDay/AriseTV Anniversary Awards.  The ceremony, which was held in Lagos on Monday, celebrated Governor Sani’s multi-faceted approach to tackling insecurity and driving progress across critical sectors. Giv. Sani’s administration has been lauded for achieving a significant reduction in security incidents through targeted measures that prioritize collaboration with security agencies, community leaders, and residents. His peacebuilding initiatives have revitalised troubled communities and strengthene…

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“Speak truth to power without antagonism” – VP Shettima to journalists

Aminu Imam
VP Shettima to journalists

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerian journalists to focus on speaking truth to power objectively without antagonising the government.  He made this appeal at the launch of ‘Persona Non Grata’, a book by a journalist, Isma’il Omipidan, which was held at the Abuja Continental Hotel. Drawing the distinction between antagonism and speaking truth to power, Shettima also urged members of the fourth estate of the realm to, as a matter of necessity, always strive to strike a balance between their allegiance to self and to truth. He emphasised the need…

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“Arrest drift in Nigeria’s broadcasting industry – Northern Broadcast Owners send SOS to Tinubu

Aminu Imam
NBMOA on broadcast drift

…Says ghost foreign interests infiltrating broadcast space …Urges NSA NIA, NBC ARCON to step in The Chairman, Board Of Trustees (BOT) Northern Broadcast Media Owners Association, (NBMOA), Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the Nigerian broadcast Industry for an urgent holistic regulatory overhaul in order to arrest its slide and prevention of further Local TV and Radio Stations shutdown across the country. Ramalan said, “Some foreign TV channels operations in Nigeria is illegal and against the country’s national, economic, social and Security…

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Judiciary, Media key pillars of democracy – CJN

Aminu Imam
CJN on Judiciary, Media

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has described the Judiciary and the Media as critical pillars of democracy, highlighting their complementary roles in upholding justice and accountability in society. Justice Kekere-Ekun, represented by the Secretary of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), AbdulAziz Olumo, made this assertion at the 2024 National Conference of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents, (NAJUC), in Abuja. According to her, the Judiciary serves as the “guardian of justice, equity, and the rule of law,” while the Media acts as “the conscience of society, disseminating…

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