It was a bad Monday this week for Imo vendors as they got what they never bargained for when security operatives swooped on them arresting some who were alleged to be selling papers carrying anti-state stories whatever that means. The stories frowned at according to sources reports on the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).
A vendor spoken to had fingered the IRT team as the security operatives that carried out the operation. They had lamented the situation wondering why they are centre of attack even as they have gone on strike as a result to press home their protest.
The clampdown on vendors as observed by members of the reading public is grossly misplaced. Commentators had wondered why attention is not focused on the publishers while others have also queried the reason in the first place why the attack on the media that keeps people informed on issues affecting their lives, Some have also questioned if the operatives were going to beam their search light in the cyberspace.
There is very strong suspicion that the clampdown on the media is part of the Imo State government’s effort to hound the media. This is in the light of the fact that the government has been somewhat desperate giving the avalanche of bad reportage against its poor performance. The government it is known has adopted a carrot and stick approach in the effort to get good press.
While it has calmly approached journalists in some radio station to tone down its criticisms of the government it has adopted an intimidating tactics to harass others while yet bullying a few. The government went as far as using the State Security Services to engage the publishers to lower their voices in what has been describe by observers as an intimidating action.
Aside from Imo there is no other state in the South East or other parts of the country that suffered this experience fuelling the suspicion that the government is still adopting a forceful approach same way it unleashed the military against the group it labeled as hoodlums at Orlu. That action led to colossal loss of lives and properties.
Those who canvass the argument against reports on IPOB hinging it on the government’s proscription of the group should also note that the Boko Haram, ranked the fourth deadliest terrorist group in the world have been enjoying avalanche of reports, hugging the headlines which reports have been making the rounds even in the seat power.
It beats the imagination that the media organizations chronicling their activities are still in business without security operatives attacking them. We wonder why it should be a different thing in Imo.
News Echo wishes to warn that the government should minimize the use of force in its approach to issues. Violence is an ill wind that blows none any good. Besides it is important to remind the government this is still a democratic setting where the rule of law should prevail and freedom of speech unhindered.
We do not find anything wrong in reporting the activities of any group in the same manner we report the activities of the government so long the reports are factual and does not violate any known laws of the land.
It would appear that the government is adopting a self-help approach and this we view may not be in its interest and the interest of the governed. We must not fail to remind that the best approach to fence off critical views is to deliver good governance and adopt dialogue where the people and government are not on same page.
