NGE, PDP Kick as NBC Orders Suspension of Channels TV’s ‘Politics Today’

Commission says station liable to N5m fine, suspension

By Chuks Okocha

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) yesterday ordered the suspension of ‘Politics Today,’ a programme on Channels Television following an interview the station had with the spokesperson for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Emma Powerful.

But in a swift reaction, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has condemned the threat to the TV station by the NBC.

Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described it described as the reported suspension and fine of N5million slammed against the TV station by NBC over alleged violation of broadcasting code, as draconian.

In a letter addressed to the Managing Director of Channels TV titled, ‘Inciting Comments By Proscribed Group: Politics Today,’ the acting Director-General of NCC, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, said the IPOB spokesman made several secessionist and inciting declarations on air without caution or reprimand by Channels TV.

“He also made derogatory, false or misleading statements about the Nigerian Army. This is reprehensible especially that IPOB remains a proscribed organisation as pronounced by the courts of the land. This much Channels TV ought to know and respect.”

According to him, the programme was clearly in violation of the provisions of Section 3.11.1(b) and 5.4.3 of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code.

He cited Section 3.11.1(b), which provides that “the Broadcaster shall ensure that no programme contains anything, which amounts to subversion of constituted authority or compromises the unity or corporate existence of Nigeria as a sovereign state.”

He also cited Section 5.4.3, which provides that, “In reporting conflict situations, the Broadcaster shall perform the role of a peace agent by adhering to the principle of responsibility, accuracy and neutrality.”

“For obviously breaching the above provisions of the law, your station remains liable to sanctions provided in Section 15 of the code which prescribes, among others – suspension of broadcast license and a fine of N5 million.

“Please be reminded that your station owes the country the responsibility for a truly professional and ethical guided broadcast station especially at times of crisis. Please ensure an immediate stop to the programme.”

Meanwhile, the PDP has described the reported suspension and fine of N5million fine slammed against Channels Television by the NBC over alleged violation of broadcasting code, as draconian.

The PDP in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, stressed that without prejudice to the issues raised against Channels Television, the reported hasty clamp down, without the benefit of caution, is suggestive of intolerance and high-handedness by the regulatory body.

According to the PDP, “Our party is worried that such disposition could be counter-productive and heighten the already tensed situation in our country at this critical time.”

The party, therefore, urged the NBC to review the punitive measure on the media house as well as scale up system-friendly measures that will ensure best practices in information dissemination in the country.

Also, the Nigerian Guild of Editors condemned the threat to the TV station by the NBC.

The NGE in a statement by its president, Mustapha Isah, and Secretary, Mary Atolagbe, said the Guild stands with Channels TV and would go to any length to defend press freedom in the country.

“The body of editors believes that the NBC is guilty of double standards because stations that carried Sheikh Gumi’s parley with terrorists in their camps were not sanctioned by the commission.

“The NBC should jettison the practice of issuing threats to broadcast stations over matters that could easily be dealt with through dialogue,” the statement partly reads.