The Kano State Government has announced an immediate ban on all live political programmes across media platforms in the state.
The state cited the need to curb inflammatory content and protect cultural and religious harmony.
The decision was made public during a quarterly engagement meeting between officials of the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs and media executives.
The meeting, held in Kano, was chaired by the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Special Duties, Sani Abba Yola, the government said the ban aims to prevent the spread of inflammatory content capable of endangering the cultural and religious harmony of the state.
“We are not out to suppress political opposition,”; Comrade Waiya said during the session.
“Our goal is to safeguard the sanctity of Kano’s cultural and religious values.”;
He added that while the government respects freedom of expression, it must be balanced with responsibility.
“We have observed a reduction in the use of abusive language on air recently, which is a direct result of our ongoing engagement with media houses,”; he said.
Under the new policy, any individual invited for interviews on media platforms will be required to sign an undertaking, pledging not to make abusive, defamatory, or culturally offensive statements.
Presenters and programme hosts have also been directed to refrain from asking provocative questions or making suggestive gestures that could lead to statements capable of defaming individuals or damaging the image of Kano State.
Waiya noted that the government has launched a series of sensitization programmes targeting political presenters, media commentators, and members of the Council of Friday Imams.
“We want to ensure that messages are delivered responsibly, without defamation or any act that could undermine our state’s reputation,”; he said.
