The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given President Muhammadu Buhari a 48-hour ultimatum to withdraw a sanction threat issued against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Daily Trust Newspaper over their reports on terrorism in Nigeria.

On Monday, July 25, the BBC, through its BBC Africa Eye, released a 50-minute documentary titled ‘The Bandit Warlords of Zamfara’, a report that exposed how insecurity in Zamfara is fueled by ethnic conflicts between Hausa and Fulani natives.

Earlier, in March, Trust TV, an arm of Daily Trust Newspaper, published a similar report in which it interviewed bandits and exposed hidden truths about them.

READ MORE: FG to Penalise BBC, Daily Trust for ‘Giving Their Platforms to Terrorists’

Reacting, Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, condemned both reports, describing them as “naked glorification of terrorism and banditry.”

SERAP, in a letter dated July 30, 2022, and signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, its deputy director, said Lai Mohammed’s statement was a threat to the media’s reporting on issues of public interest.

It read in part, “The media has the duty to impart information and ideas on issues of public importance. If carried out, the threat to sanction the BBC and Daily Trust would inhibit the media from reporting on issues of public interest.

READ MORE: OPINION: The BBC in Nigeria: Between Reporting and Propagating Terror

“Rather than punishing the media for promoting access to diverse opinions and information on issues of public importance, your government should focus on delivering your promises to ensure the security of Nigerians.

“We would be grateful if the requested action is taken within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions in the public interest.

“A free, uncensored, and unhindered press or other media is essential in any society to ensure freedom of opinion and expression and the enjoyment of other rights. It constitutes one of the cornerstones of a democratic society.

“Sanctioning the BBC and Daily Trust would be entirely inconsistent and incompatible with Nigeria’s obligations under article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”