PRESS FREEDOM: Buhari Bans AIT From Covering His Activities

Report has it that the media team of the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari stopped the African Independent Television (AIT) from covering his engagements until issues of ethics and standards are sorted out.

We gathered that the AIT crew was asked

to leave the Defence House during the visit of the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria to the president-elect.

The crew we learnt refused to leave the venue when informed to leave, though politely by one of the officials.

Reacting to the incident, Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, gave reason to the fact that the measure is because of concerns over security and ethical standards which members of the family of the president-elect raised.

He also states that, “AIT has been asked to stay aside based on security and family concerns. In addition, the Buharis have decided that they would have to resolve some issues relating to issues of standard and ethics.

“We will be talking with them to try and resolve the matter but for now, the station, has been asked to stay aside because like I said, there are some family and security concerns. They have been asked to step down their coverage until we resolve the matter with them on ethics and standards, “he explained.

However, Shehu said it is not true that the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has been bared along with the AIT; Shehu said the NTA crew is free to attend the events of the president-elect and to cover it accordingly.

When asked whether he should be quoted, Shehu said: “Yes you can quote me that I said we have asked them to step aside and that we are resolving the issues of ethics and standards with them.”