The government of Zamfara State has shut down three television stations and an FM radio station for covering People’s Democratic Party (PDP) rally in the state.
The affected media stations are the Nigeria Television Authority, Gamji TV, Al-Umma TV and Pride FM radio, all in Gusau, the state capital.
In a radio broadcast, the state Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, said the media houses were shut down for allegedly violating professional ethics.
Dosara said the affected media houses attended the rally organised by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the state, while the state government had earlier banned political rallies for security reasons.
He said, “The state government has suspended all political activities in the state due to security challenges but the PDP ignored the order and held a rally in Gusau, the state capital, where one person was killed and 18 others were injured.
“The four media houses, NTA, Gamji TV, Al-Umma TV, and Pride FM radio, were also at the event to cover the occasion even though they were aware of the ban on political rallies by the state government.
“Given this, the four media houses are hereby closed down with immediate effect.
“The government has directed security agents to arrest any staff member of the affected stations who try to go into the stations to perform any duty.”