From Desmond Mgboh Kano
Kano Government has banned live political programmes across media outlets in the state.
A statement by the Director, Special Duties, Kano State Ministry of Information, Sani Abba Yola, yesterday explained that the ban was aimed at preventing the spread of inflammatory content in the state.
According to the statement, presenters were also barred from asking provocative questions or making suggestive gestures that could lead to statements capable of defaming individuals or damaging the image of Kano State.
“Anyone appearing on media platforms in the state for interviews must sign an undertaking to refrain from making inflammatory, derogatory or culturally offensive remarks,” the statement added.
Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, who chaired the session with the media executives in the state, clarified that the government’s stance was not to suppress political opposition but rather to safeguard the sanctity of Kano’s cultural and religious values.
He expressed appreciation over the unwavering support of media leaders, which he said had contributed immensely to the ministry’s progress in curbing unethical content on public platforms.
He commended the noticeable reduction in abusive language in some broadcast programmes, attributing the achievement to the productive engagements held in previous meetings.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to preserving the state’s moral standards, the commissioner disclosed that sensitisation programmes had been organised for political programme presenters, media commentators and the Council of Friday Imams.
These efforts, he noted, were designed to encourage responsible communication that conveys messages to the public without defamation or any act that could undermine the state’s reputation.
During the meeting with the 484 NNPP councillors in the state a few days ago, the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf had lamented the growing culture of misinformation and maligning of respected scholars, clerics and his administration on these broadcast stations in the state.
He had vowed that his administration would soon come up with a policy to address the situation.