School Condemns NBC’s Actions on Arise TV, Cites Freedom of Expression Threat

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Abuja School of Social and Political Thought has vehemently denounces the recent actions undertaken by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) towards Arise television saying they pose a grave threat to the freedom of expression and press freedom.

The director of the school, Dr. Sam Amadi, criticized the NBC’s warning to the station during a press conference in Abuja, considering it a sign of Nigeria’s declining democracy.

He accused the regulatory agency of being overly biased, suggesting that their recent actions were more about pleasing the Presidency and the ruling class than supporting democratic governance.

The school found the NBC’s reasons for issuing a warning to Arise News to be confusing, undemocratic, autocratic, and unconstitutional.

Amadi challenged the NBC’s assertion that the program contained “unguarded incendiary remarks” against government branches, emphasizing the media’s constitutional role in holding the government accountable.

The school also questioned the NBC’s claim that broadcasters should prevent “undesirable contents” as defined by the commission.

They reiterated that Sections 22 and 39 of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution uphold freedom of expression and the media’s responsibility to hold the government accountable.

Additionally, Media Scholar & Research Fellow Paul Obi supported the idea that the NBC’s threat to Arise News was without legal basis, unconstitutional, and not in line with Nigerian laws.

Both Dr. Amadi and Paul Obi called on all media organizations and Nigerians to resist any attempts by the NBC to censor the media, even if pursued through legal means.

They stressed that, as an institution dedicated to advancing democracy, the school expressed deep disappointment in the NBC’s actions and pledged to operate within the boundaries set by the commission for regulating the media industry.

They urged the NBC to recognize the supremacy of the Nigerian Constitution over its codes and refrain from any form of media suppression or censorship, highlighting the crucial role of a free press in upholding democratic values.