THE Kano State Government has imposed a sweeping ban on all live political programmes aired across the state’s numerous broadcast platforms.
The government says the move is meant to curb the spread of inflammatory and culturally offensive content, but critics are calling it a thinly veiled attempt to muzzle opposition voices.
The ban was formally announced by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, during a quarterly stakeholders meeting with media executives held at the ministry’s headquarters.
A statement signed by the Director of Special Duties, Sani Abba Yola, said the forum was designed to foster responsible journalism and strengthen collaboration between the government and media organisations.
Waiya said the decision was informed by the growing concerns over unprofessional conduct by some presenters and guests during live political segments, including the use of language considered offensive to Kano’s deeply rooted cultural and religious norms.
The commissioner said the decision came after a series of sensitisation programmes targeting political programme hosts, media commentators, and members of the Council of Friday Imams, all aimed at promoting responsible communication.
In addition to banning live political broadcasts entirely, the government introduced new guidelines that require any individual invited for an interview to sign a pre-interview undertaking.
This written agreement obligates the guest to refrain from making offensive, abusive, or culturally inappropriate remarks.
