On September 6, 2023, Rivers State authorities in Port Harcourt demolished the transmitter mast of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and its affiliate radio station, Raypower FM, resulting in the shutdown of the media outlets. The incident followed criticism of the media outlets by Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, former governor of the state in question, and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. However, other reports suggested that the shutdown and demolition of the stations’ facilities might be connected to an ongoing land dispute between the state government and DAAR Communications, the parent company of AIT and Raypower broadcast stations. The shutdown was condemned by media defense groups as illegal and as an attempt to crack down on press freedom.
IPI Africa Media Freedom TrackerPhysical attack on journalists, media infrastructure/officesVerbal, online or physical attack