AIT/Raypower: PDP Welcomes Court Judgment, Asks Media Not To Succumb To Intimidation

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Saturday lauded the judiciary on the order to reopen the African Independent Television, AIT and Raypower Radio stations saying it was a strong judicial rebuff to the determination of the present administration to erase press freedom.

A statement issued by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, NPS of the party, Kola Ologbondinyan while lauding the ruling urged the press not to give up its role as watchdogs of the society.

“The PDP states that it is clear to all that the unrelenting assault on media houses and journalists, under the All Progressives Congress, APC, is a calculated plot to cow and emasculate the press, asphyxiate free speech, suffocate public opinion, foist a siege mentality on the citizenry and prevent them from raising a voice against the impunity, electoral manipulations, corruption and excesses of the APC-led administration,” Ologobondinyan said.

“Our party holds that media intimidation, as a feature of military regime, must not be allowed in a democratic order, adding that there is no way democracy, with its principles and values, can thrive without a free press.

“In commending the judiciary, the PDP urges it to continue to uphold the sanctity of justice in protecting our democratic order and rights of citizens under our laws despite the intimidation and harassment by the APC-led administration.

“The PDP further cautions security agencies not to allow themselves to be used by desperate power mongers in the APC against law-abiding citizens, but to ensure that their actions are backed by the dictates of the law.

“The party also  urges the security agencies to be guided by the ruling of the court which states that the status quo, as at 30th May 2019, be maintained, adding that as at 30th May, there were no security occupation on the premises of Daar Communication, breathing down on journalists and other workers going about their daily activities.

“The party also calls on the media, as the fourth estate of the realm, not to be cowed but continue to discharge their constitutional duties in national development, in line with its professional ethics and best practices.”

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