The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has demanded that the directive by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) warning journalists and broadcast stations against ‘glamourising’ details on terrorism activities be withdrawn.
This demand was contained in a series of tweets made by SERAP using its official Twitter handle on Sunday.
SERAP stated that reports on terrorist attacks as a matter of public interest.
The organization also stated that the directive, coupled with the likelihood of punishment, would hinder the government’s accountability to the public.
“The broad definitions of what may constitute ‘too many details,’ ‘glamourising’ and ‘divisive rhetoric’ heighten concerns of overreach, confer far-reaching discretion, and suggest that the directive is more intrusive than necessary,” SERAP said.
A letter had been issued by NBC on July 7, warning broadcasters against amplifying the nefarious activities of terrorists and kidnappers within the country.
The letter signed by the Director of Broadcast Monitoring Francisca Aiyetan urged broadcasters to avoid giving details on security issues or victims of insecurity so as not to jeopardise efforts being made by security operatives within the country.
Aiyetan claimed that some of the reports had ethnological coating which could have divisive effects on the country, leaving Nigerians in a state of hysteria.
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