A Constitutional lawyer, Dr Kayode Ajulo, has joined other
Nigerians in condemning the punishment meted to DAAR Communication,
owner of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM by the
National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), saying it was too
harsh.
Ajulo said on Friday in Abuja that there were other punishments
that could be employed by NBC to ensure that any erring media
outfit conformed to prescribed laws and regulations.
He said that the freedom of the press was guaranteed in
developed nations and polities, adding that the provisions of
Section 23 of the constitution guaranteed press freedom.
According to him, the press, radio, television and other
agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the
fundamental objectives and uphold the responsibility and
accountability of the government to the people.
“I am of the view that the punishment meted by the NBC was
harsh, however, one of the remedies that avails to AIT is to
approach the court for reversal of any action taken by NBC,” he
said in a statement.
He said that AIT was a product of June 12 struggle, noting that
it would be a disservice to democracy and nationalism as well as
the image of Nigerian government to withdraw the license of DAAR
Communications.
Ajulo said that the withdrawal was coming on the eve of the
grand celebration of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day would not
augur well for the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the
Director-General of NBC, Mr Kawu Modibo, said the decision to
suspend AIT was based on the violation of the broadcasting code of
the station.
Others include failure of the broadcasting station to pay its
licence fees as and when due backed by the provisions of paragraph
10 of the third schedule of the NBC Act.
Subscribe ToNairalaw News!
Read more kayode-ajulo-nbcs-punishment-against-ait-too-harsh/