By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The Nigerian Guild of Editors on Saturday rejected the N5 million fine imposed on Channels Television and Inspiration FM by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), for alleged infractions.
The umbrella body of all Nigerian editors said the fines were punitive, arbitrary and against the dictates of press freedom.
The NBC is punishing Channels TV for interviewing the spokesman of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB while Inspiration FM is facing the hammer of NBC for broadcasting a statement by IPOB, declaring a sit-at-home order.
By so doing, the Guild said, once again, the NBC has played the role of an accuser, the prosecutor and the judge.
A statement by the President, Isa Mustapha, and Secretary, Mary Atolagbe, said in a democratic country like Nigeria’s, a panel should have been set up to investigate the alleged infractions, with both stations given the opportunity for defence.
The Guild took umbrage at the perceived double standards of the NBC in carrying out its regulatory functions.
“The National Broadcasting Code is clearly at variance with the tenets of democracy anchored on freedom of expression and a free press.
“Every accused person or organisation deserves fair hearing before punishment is pronounced. Obtaining letters of apology from the affected stations under duress cannot justify the action of the NBC.”
Citing instances of what obtains in other democracies, the Guild said: “The Voice of America, VOA, Hausa Service, recently interviewed the leader of a terrorist group behind the abduction of 22 students of Greenfield University, Kaduna State.
“In that interview, the terrorists threatened to kill the remaining students in their custody if N100 million ( One hundred million Naira ) was not paid within twenty four hours.
“Neither the American authorities nor any other regulatory agency imposed sanctions on VOA for this interview.
“The Nigerian Broadcasting Code should be reviewed without delay to reflect democratic principles.
“Broadcasting stations in Nigeria should not be made to operate in an atmosphere of fear.
“A free press is needed to nurture and sustain democracy in Nigeria.
“The Guild therefore calls on the NBC to withdraw these obnoxious fines and stop the harassment of broadcasting stations over matters that could easily be resolved through dialogue.”
