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| Yinka Ayefele |
Freelance
and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN) has described the demolition
of Fresh FM as another attempt to gag the media and practically frustrate media practitioners in Nigeria.
This
was contained in a statement signed by its National President Desmond Nwachukwu
while reacting to the demolition carried out on the radio station owned by the
Ace Musician, Yinka Ayefele in Ibadan yesterday.
The
Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN) was
shocked with the decision of the agents of the Oyo State government to demolish
the Music House which houses Fresh FM, a model in digital broadcasting in
Nigeria.
Having
personally interacted with both the Management of Fresh FM and key members of
the Oyo State Government, it was quite obvious that the contending issues does
not warrant any form of demolition but regularization, as affirmed in a
statement issued by the Oyo State Commissioner for Information.
The
decision of the government to issue a three day demolition notice, ignore the
interventions and pleas of some highly placed individuals and coupled with the
pulling down of the building in the wee hours of the day gives credence to the
claim of the management of the station that it was politically motivated and
done in bad faith.
To
this extent, we view the action of government as a show of unnecessary ego,
abuse of office and an affront against the media by a government that has only
nine months left in office. This action is another attempt to gag the media,
intimidate media owners, influence the station's contents and pressurize
practitioners into doing their bidding or practically frustrate media
practitioners.
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| Desmond, FIBAN National President |
We
will like to remind the leadership of the various tiers of government that they
are beneficiaries of the sacrifices of media practitioners who were at the
vanguard of the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria. When many of them were in
the comfort of their home, media practitioners were at the trenches fighting
for the liberation of Nigeria. Some of us paid the supreme price. Let it be
known that we remain committed to the discharge of our constitutional
responsibility and no amount of intimidation can stop us.
The
current onslaught against the media is the height of ingratitude and tantamount
to declaring war against those that laboured for what they are enjoying today.
If we fought the military and won, our victory this time is certain.
We
will fight back in our own way with every strength in us, with every of our
platforms and all legitimate mechanisms. We affirm that content is the
exclusive right of the station and the only government agency that is vest with
the responsibility of interpreting the Broadcast Code is the National
Broadcasting Commission and not the Oyo State Government or any of her
agencies. We standby the management of the station with regards to their
decision to resist unnecessary influence in their programming.
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| Demolished Fresh FM |
Considering
the un-quantifiable contributions of Fresh FM to the socio-economic development
of Oyo State in particular and Nigeria in general, this is obviously one of the
most insensitive, unpopular and anti -masses decisions made by the Ajimobi led
administration.
Finally,
we appreciate Nigerians for rising against the oppression of a media organization
perceived as playing the role of "the voice of the voiceless" under a
tyrannical administration that has since lost its popularity and goodwill among
the people.
