The Kano State Government has banned live political programmes and prohibited journalists from asking “provocative” questions during media interviews.
In a statement issued after a meeting with media executives on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, declared a ban on live political programmes across all media platforms in the state.
The statement, signed by the Director of Special Duties in the Ministry, Sani Abba Yola, also introduced stringent new guidelines for journalists and media guests.
According to the statement, anyone appearing on air for interviews must now sign an undertaking to avoid making abusive, defamatory, or culturally offensive remarks.
Presenters are also prohibited from asking what the government describes as “provocative questions” or using suggestive gestures that could elicit controversial responses or damage the image of the state.
Waiya defended the measures, insisting that the aim is not to muzzle the press or suppress political dissent, but to preserve what he called the “sanctity of Kano’s cultural and religious values.”
He said the state had made “remarkable progress” in reducing hate speech and unethical broadcasting practices following earlier collaborations with media leaders.
“Our goal is responsible communication that respects our values. This policy is about protecting our dignity, not about targeting opposition voices,” he stated.
However, critics have described the move as a clear attempt to tighten control over the media and silence critical voices under the guise of morality and cultural preservation.
“This is censorship disguised as cultural protection,” said a Kano-based journalist who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal. “Banning live political debates and policing journalists’ questions is a dangerous precedent — it shrinks civic space and weakens democracy.”
Media observers have raised alarm over what they see as a growing pattern of authoritarianism in Kano’s media environment.
The recent detention of Kano Times editor Buhari Abba and journalist Ismail Auwal — allegedly on the orders of Waiya after they published a critical article — has further fueled concerns about shrinking press freedom in the state.
Human rights organizations are urging the Kano government to reverse the ban and allow journalists to do their work without fear of intimidation or censorship.
“Protecting cultural values should not come at the expense of free expression and the public’s right to information,” said a statement from a local press freedom advocacy group. “True democracy thrives on robust dialogue, not silence.”
