By Godfrey Olukya 5-3-2013
The recent closure of a radio in Nigeria has been condemned by the Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ.
Nigeria’s media regulatory body reportedly shut down Wazobia FM radio on February 22nd simply because it allegedly questioned the local government’s motives in an anti-polio vaccination program.
Since then the radio has been off air. It’s listeners and human rights bodies have complained to the authorities about the closure
of the radio but have not got any response.
CPJ Africa advocacy coordinator, Mohamed Keita said that closing of the radio was unfair. He said, ‘The radio was unfairly treated. We call on the National Broadcasting Commission to reverse this censorship order immediately.’
Authorities maintain that the negative publicity of the polio vaccination was inciting the public and it could have led to unidentified gunmen to kill nine polio workers.
END
