Zamfara Bans Govt Officials From Media Interviews

The Zamfara State government has imposed a ban on its officials from granting media interviews. The new directive prohibits officials from conducting interviews, issuing statements, or airing programmes on radio, television, and social media platforms without obtaining prior permission from the relevant authority.

The government has also issued warning to media organisations operating within the state. They have been instructed to refrain from conducting or broadcasting any radio or television programme without the explicit approval of the Ministry of Information.

Mannir Haidara, the Commissioner of Information, expressed the ministry’s commitment to these new regulations. He stated, “The information ministry is highly committed to observing and monitoring all radio stations for compliance.”

The statement further elaborated on the government’s concerns, stating, “The Zamfara state government has observed with dismay the attitudes of some individuals, political groups and heads of MDAs towards conducting radio, television stations and social media platforms interviews and programmes on state government’s policies and programmes without following the right channels.”

In an effort to curb this behaviour, the Zamfara State Ministry of Information and Culture announced, “Henceforth no political office holder, group or head of any agencies is allowed to conduct any interview, issue statement or air a programme on radio, television stations or social media without seeking a permission from the authority.”

The Ministry of Information and Culture further urged media organisations in the state to desist from conducting or airing any radio or television programmes on government’s policies for any individuals or group of people without the approval of the supervising Ministry or the Ministry of Information.

The statement reiterate the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that all information disseminated to the general public on government and its policies are accurate and properly disseminated.

“The information ministry is highly committed to observing and monitoring the radio stations for compliance,” said Haidara.