By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
The suspension of Nigeria’s popular television station, Channels TV by the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over the interview with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has elicited reactions from Nigerians.
The Channels TV interview was a follow up of the killing of Ikonso, the commander of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) a militia section of IPOB.
Reacting to the suspension, @Dr Olufunmilayo wrote in his Twitter handle,
“Miyetti Allah went to Channels TV to threaten the whole country on RUGA, the govt said nothing.
“Sheikh Gumi went to Channels TV to defend bandits, the govt said nothing. But IPOB leader goes on Channels TV, and now the station is fined and suspended. Are we really One Nigeria?” he asked.
@Sagalink also tweeted, “I’ve never seen an administration that is this divisive at a time when the nation needs cohesion. So it’s okay for TV stations to honour/host the threats of Miyetti Allah without consequences but their broadcast Licence is at risk for speaking with IPOB?
Also reacting, @ firstladyship wrote, “But when Miyetti Allah guest speaker threatened Nigerians on the same Channels TV, NBC did not act. The goose & gander are not equal. WE GET THE MESSAGE LOUD & CLEAR!! OH YES!!
@ayemojubar twitter, “Gumi, Secretary of Miyetti Allah Alhassan Saleh, Kabo that came to defend Pantami were granted interview on this same Channels TV, but IPOB PRO should not be given a chance to talk?I hope Channels would get learn from this and stop promoting this unfortunate govt.”
@Ayoban tweeted “With the suspension of Channels TV, all patriotic Nigerians living in Nigeria, who desire a better Nigeria & speak or advocate for it, need to be scared for their safety & future. No one is safe. There is no pretence to it anymore. The worst part is that the world doesn’t care.”
A human rights and advocacy organisation the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) urged the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately reverse the arbitrary, unconstitutional and illegal decision to suspend Channels Television, and to impose a fine of N5 million on the station purportedly for breaching the broadcast code or face legal action
SERAP in a statement on Monday by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: “The suspension of Channels Television is unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary, and without any legal basis whatsoever. The government and NBC should immediately lift the suspension and reverse the fine. We will pursue appropriate legal action if the arbitrary, unconstitutional and illegal suspension and fine are not reversed within 48 hours.”
SERAP said: “This action by the government and NBC is yet another example of Nigerian authorities’ push to silence independent media and voices. The government and NBC lift the suspension and uphold the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and international obligations to respect and protect freedom of expression and media freedom.
The statement, read in part:
“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 a ‘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.
“This suspension amounts to an arbitrary and unjust application of regulations against the media. International standards allow only official restrictions on the content of what the media can broadcast or print in extremely narrow circumstances.
“Article 20 (2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Nigeria has ratified requires states to prohibit only advocacy that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. Restrictions must be clearly defined, specific, necessary, and proportionate to the threat to interest protected.
“President Muhammadu Buhari should caution the NBC to stop intimidating and harassing independent media houses and to respect the Nigerian Constitution, and the country’s international human rights obligations, including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”