NBC Queries Channels TV over Ortom’s Anti-Buhari Interview

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has queried Channel Television for broadcasting a programme on Tuesday that had Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State as guest.

The query titled: ‘Notice of Infraction,’ dated August 24, 2021, was addressed by the Director-General NBC, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah to the Managing Director of Channels Television.

In the letter, the NBC rebuked Channels Television over the failure of its anchors to properly interrogate Ortom, who was alleged to have made inciting, divisive and unfair comments on the peak hour Sunrise Daily programme.
This, the agency said was in violation of some provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

Ilelah, who cited the infraction of some sections of the Code subsequently directed the television station to explain within 24 hours of the receipt of the letter why it should not be sanctioned.

The NBC stated that Channels Television violated during the airing of the programme, Section 1.10.4, Section3.1.1, Section 3.3.1 (b), Section 3.3. 1 (e), Section 3.11.1 (a) and Section 3.12.2 respectively.

Section 3.11.1 (a) says that the broadcaster shall ensure that language likely to encourage or incite to crime or lead to disorder is not broadcast, while Section 3.12.2 says that the broadcaster shall not transmit a programme that incites or is likely to incite violence among the populace, causing mass panic, political and social upheaval, security breach and general social disorder.

While appearing on the programme, Governor Ortom had criticised the present administration and described President Buhari as the worst when it comes to handling of security matters.

He also alleged that the President had a subtle agenda to ‘Fulanise’ the country by treating the alleged attacks carried by suspected herdsmen with kid’s glove.