LAGOS — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has opposed the suspension of Channels Television by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
NBC suspended Channels with an N5 million fine on Monday over an interview the station conducted with the spokesperson of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Emma Powerful.
The commission accused the station of allowing the guest speaker to make derogatory and false statements about the Nigeria Army and also incite secessionist declaration without caution.
Reacting to this, SERAP, through its Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare called on the FG and NBC to reverse the suspension of the station, noting that the order has no legal basis whatsoever.
The organization in a statement promised to take legal actions should the suspension not be reversed within 48-hours.
“This is a new low in Nigeria’s protection of freedom of expression, and the ability of independent media to function in the country. The suspension of Channels Television is detrimental to media freedom, and access to information, and the Federal Government and NBC must immediately reverse the decision.”
“Media freedom and media plurality are a central part of the effective exercise of freedom of expression and access to information. The ability to practice journalism free from undue interference, to cover diverse views are crucial to the exercise of many other rights and freedoms.
“The media has a vital role to play as ‘public watchdog’ in imparting information of serious public concern and should not be inhibited or intimidated from playing that role. The Federal Government and NBC should stop targeting and intimidating independent media and voices.
“The government of President Buhari has a responsibility to protect Nigerians’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information,” parts of SERAP’s statement had read.
- Breaking: Ohanaeze President General, George Obiozor, confirmed dead - December 28, 2022
- US to support NDLEA on improved intelligence gathering capacity - December 27, 2022
- Why diversified HIV/AIDS prevention tools matter for women - December 26, 2022
