The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has imposed a fine of ₦5 million to Channels Television, Inspiration Fm, for granting an interview to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, via its spokesperson.
The commission had queried Channels Television, last week, after IPOB’s spokesperson was interviewed on a live program, ‘Politics Today,’ Monday, April 26.
Reactions from most Nigerians have trailed NBC’s action for censoring the tele-station. It has been termed an attack on media freedom and independence.
In a letter addressed to Channels Television Managing Director, NBC accused the station of promoting content liable to incite hatred and sectionalism by tolerating the IPOB Spokesman, “deregatory, false and misleading statements,” which violates sections 3.11.1 (b) and 5, 4, 3 of broadcasting Act.
However, on Tuesday April 29, NBC, denied suspending the TV station, claiming to have warned it, and did not suspend the stations operation over the broadcast of an interview with a leader of IPOB, noting that the TV station apologized for breaching the code.
Similarly, Inspiration Fm Lagos, reportedly aired a broadcast of IPOB, wherein it made, “secessionist claims”.
A statement issued by the acting Director General of NBC, Armstrong Idachaba, on Thursday, said the sections of the code breached by the sections are, “Class A” offenses punishable, with an “Immediate order of suspension of license and immediate shut down”.
According to Idachaba, “in sections 15.51, the following penalties shall apply in respect of a breach committed by the broadcaster: light, ₦200,000 to ₦500,000, heavy ₦500,000 to ₦4,999,000; severe, ₦5,000,000.
“The NBC has revised the appeals and apologies from both stations, and has decided to set aside the option of suspension of license.
“The commission has, however, directed with stations to pay ₦5 million penalty each to serve as a deterrent”.
Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News
