The National Broadcasting Commission has sent two separate
letters to the Daar Communications Group, owner of African
Independent Television and Raypower FM over some reports it
considered unprofessional.
The two letters, dated May 27, 2019, were signed by the
commission’s Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Prof. Armstrong
Idachaba.
Idachaba accused the broadcast stations of airing “offensive,
unfair and unprofessional” content in violation of rules.
He asked AIT and Raypower to state why they should not be
sanctioned.
In one of the letters, Idachaba said, “The continued use of your
licence (given in trust to you on behalf of the entire Nigerian
people), to embark on attacks and vilification of the regulator
shall attract appropriate sanctions going forward.”
He also said the stations had been allegedly inciting the public
against the Independent National Electoral Commission, the All
Progressives Congress and the government.
One of the letters read, “Monitoring reports on AIT and Raypower
FM indicate that a news commentary replete with unfair allegations
against the judiciary was aired from Monday, 20th May, 2019.
“This commentary was aired on the two stations during the week.
The broadcast is a contravention of the provisions of the code and
extant laws regarding discussion of cases pending in the law courts
which could be termed as contempt of court.
“Furthermore, the language used was offensive and unfair on the
judiciary. The broadcast is viewed as offensive, unfair and
unprofessional, as provisions of Section 1.15.1 of The Nigerian
Broadcasting Code was violated.”
In another letter, the NBC wondered what the motive behind the
documentary: ‘Nigeria Judiciary on Trial: Lessons from Kenya,’
could be.
The broadcast station was said to have accused INEC of refusing
to make its server public because it doctored the result of the
elections.
NBC gave the stations until May 31 to respond to its queries or
risk disciplinary actions.
In another letter dated May 27, NBC complained about the use of
content generated on social media on Kakaaki programme on AIT.
“Your station is by this letter advised to be cautious when
discussing issues relating to matters pending in the court of law
and refrain from use of language inimical to the broadcast
profession.
“You are by this letter requested to explain why the full weight
of sanction should not be meted against you for this inflammatory
broadcast and the fragrant disregard of your editorial
responsibility,” the commission added.
Meanwhile, the founder of DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond
Dokpesi, said he would protest against “plots by the All
Progressives Congress- led Federal Government” to gag the media and
suppress free speech.
A statement from his office in Abuja on Tuesday, said Dokpesi
would be staging a “one-man demonstration” to the National Assembly
on Thursday, June 6, 2019, after addressing a world press
conference at the AIT Complex, Asokoro, Abuja.
The statement said, “We invite all Nigerians and the
international community to note this obvious act of brigandage
against freedom of speech and association as clearly expressed in
our Constitution.
“AIT and Raypower have not violated any code of broadcasting as
alleged by the NBC. The NBC and the government in power are not
comfortable with the broadcast industry because of its courageous
and dogged stance in informing Nigerians on happenings in the
country.”
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