NBC Suspends Channels TV For Interviewing Leader
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has suspended Channels Television with a fine N5 million for breaching the broadcast code.
A letter to the Managing Director of Channels Television, signed by the Acting Director General of the NBC, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, referred to Channels 7pm live broadcast programme of Sunday, April 25, 2021, accusing the TV station of allowing a leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) to make secessionist and inciting declarations on air without being cautioned or reprimanded by the station.
The NBC described it as contrary to the broadcast code.
It also accused the station of allowing the guest speaker to allegedly make derogatory and misleading statements about the Nigerian Army, despite being proscribed by a court of law.
A letter to the Managing Director of Channels Television, signed by the Acting Director General of the NBC, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, referred to Channels 7pm live broadcast programme of Sunday, April 25, 2021, accusing the TV station of allowing a leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) to make secessionist and inciting declarations on air without being cautioned or reprimanded by the station.
The NBC described it as contrary to the broadcast code.
It also accused the station of allowing the guest speaker to allegedly make derogatory and misleading statements about the Nigerian Army, despite being proscribed by a court of law.
Meanwhile Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation has condemned the reported suspension of Channels Television by the Nigerian Government.
Reacting, Fani-Kayode condemning the action said the censorship of the media is wrong and unacceptable in a democratic government.
On his Twitter page, the former minister wrote: “It is wrong for NBC to sanction @channelstv simply because they allowed the spokesman of IPOB, Mr. Emma Powerful, to answer some pertinent and vital questions about the attack on the home of the Governor of Imo state.
“Censorship of the media is unacceptable in a democracy.”
Reacting, Fani-Kayode condemning the action said the censorship of the media is wrong and unacceptable in a democratic government.
On his Twitter page, the former minister wrote: “It is wrong for NBC to sanction @channelstv simply because they allowed the spokesman of IPOB, Mr. Emma Powerful, to answer some pertinent and vital questions about the attack on the home of the Governor of Imo state.
“Censorship of the media is unacceptable in a democracy.”
