Muhammad Garba, a former Commissioner for Information in Kano State and current President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, has called on the state government to uphold press freedom. His appeal follows a report by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism that placed Kano among the three Nigerian states with the most press‑freedom violations in 2024. The report criticised the state’s poor record on media rights, a claim the government has dismissed.
Garba stressed that a free press is essential in a democratic society, arguing that the media is not an adversary of the government but a partner in nation‑building. He condemned restrictive policies such as bans on live political programmes and warnings against asking certain questions, describing them as censorship that undermines democratic governance. According to Garba, freedom of the press is vital for holding power to account and for the public to receive accurate information. He noted that respecting press freedom is not only a constitutional duty but also a sign of mature, responsive leadership, and that journalists’ ability to work without fear of reprisal is a key indicator of genuine press freedom.
Press freedom has long been a concern in Nigeria, with many journalists facing harassment, intimidation and violence while performing their duties. The Wole Soyinka Centre’s report underscores the need for state governments to respect media rights and to create a safe, enabling environment for journalists. Garba’s call carries weight, given his former role in government and his prominence in the journalism community. How the Kano State government will respond to his statement and whether it will take steps to address the raised concerns remains to be seen.
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