AIT, Raypower FM, Shut Down in Continuing Persecution of DAAR Communications

On September 5, 2023, the authorities in Rivers State closed down the operations of AIT and Raypower FM Radio in Port Harcourt with the excuse that they lacked legal occupancy of the land on which they operated. According to reports, the shutdown happened in the style of an invasion operation by telecommunications engineers contracted by the State Government. These engineers who were accompanied by armed security operatives, disconnected the wave guard from the antenna on the mast of the media organization while riggers dismantled the mast.

While at it, bulldozers were also deployed by the Rivers State Government to demolish the Transmitter Complex at the DAAR Communications PLC Broadcast Centre in Port Harcourt.

The closure has since been condemned by Amnesty International as an attack on press freedom calculated to force these outlets to self-censor. It has also provoked accusations that it is a politically motivated witch hunt against DAAR Communications, which was founded by a stalwart of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), late Chief Raymond Dokpesi.

In their defense, the River State authorities have claimed that the closure is out of the duty to reclaim state lands for development. However, it is a known fact that outlets of DAAR Communications have really been at the receiving end of abuses under recent governments of All Peoples Congress (APC).