The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned a move by the Zamfara State Censorship Board to register and regulate all online television stations and social media platforms, describing it as unconstitutional and a violation of press freedom.
In a statement, APC Publicity Secretary Yusuf Idris Gusau said the plan, announced by the board’s secretary, Amina Mustapha Ismael, contravenes Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression.
He argued that the board lacks the legal authority to regulate online media, noting that even the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is seeking amendments to its Act to cover such platforms.
Gusau stressed that the board’s mandate is limited to censoring films, regulating entertainment content and event centres, and ensuring Islamic compliance in entertainment, not online media oversight.
The APC spokesman alleged that the move targets opposition voices and urged media practitioners to resist any attempt to undermine press freedom.
He called on the state government to focus on tackling rural bandit attacks rather than what he termed a “witch-hunt” against social media handlers and bloggers.
Writing by Aminu Dalhatu