NBC-AIT Faceoff Resolved – PRNigeria News

NBC-AIT

NBC-AIT Faceoff Resolved

Following the suspension of the Broadcast License of DAAR
Communications Plc., owners of Africa Independent Television (AIT)
and Ray Power FM by the National Broadcasting Commission ( NBC ),
the President of the Nigerian Press Organisation ( NPO ) comprising
of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN),
Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria ( BON ), The Nigerian Guild
of Editors ( NGE) and The Nigerian Union of Journalists ( NUJ),
convened a meeting of all parties to resolve the issues in the
national interest.

The meeting hosted at 8PM, on Sunday 9th of June, 2019, by
elders and patrons of NPO, Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua and Uncle Sam
Amuka, had the following in attendance:

1. Ishaq Modibbo -Kawu – Director General & CEO, NBC;
2. High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, DAAR
Communications Plc;
3. Raymond Dokpesi, jnr, Chairman of the Board, DAAR Communications
PLC;
4. Mr Tony Akiotu, GMD, DAAR Communications Plc;
5. Mrs Tosin Dokpesi , MD, AIT;
6. Barrister Donatus Anopuo – Company Secretary DAAR Communications
PLC;
7. Uncle Sam Amuka, Publisher, VANGUARD Group;
8. Mallam Ismaila Isa, Patron NPAN and
9. Nduka Obaigbena, President NPAN and President NPO.

At the meeting the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
restated their commitments to freedom of expression and the
constitutionally guaranteed role of the media under sections 22 and
39 to hold governments accountable, which states amongst others
that the press, radio, television and other agencies of mass media
are to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in the 1999
constitution and ensure the responsibility and accountability of
the Government to the people.

The NBC also raised concerns about the non-adherence of the DAAR
Communications group (AIT/Ray Power) to the Nigeria Broadcasting
Code, despite repeated interactions on same; the NBC then cited
lack of editorial balance by DAAR Communications as well as the
lingering issue of non-payment of national network license fees by
DAAR Communications.

DAAR Communications Plc. defended its position saying it gives
its team freedom to make editorial commentary on issues of the day
relying on Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution guaranteeing
freedom of Expression, freedom to hold opinions and to receive and
impart ideas without interference.

DAAR stated it had made some payments on account to the NBC but
acknowledged that there were some defaults in the payment plan they
submitted to the NBC, and explained that the defaults were due to
decisions jointly reached at BON meetings by all broadcasters to
engage and renegotiate the cost of license fees with NBC, in view
of the current difficult economic realities affecting the industry.
But the NBC insists that license fees are statutory and thus
non-negotiable.

After an exhaustive dialogue, all parties RESOLVED as
follows:

1. DAAR Communications Plc. will work out a new realistic
payment plan with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and
ensure prompt payments in accordance with the new plan;

2. DAAR Communications Plc. will appoint an Ombudsman to ensure
balance in its news coverage especially political commentary; it
will also take full editorial responsibility for the use of content
sourced from social media outlets;

3. Following this NPO statement, The NBC will immediately lift
the suspension of the broadcast license of DAAR Communications
Plc;

4. DAAR Communications Plc. will withdraw its case in court,
against the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and;

5. All parties will take necessary steps to work together to
build confidence in the public interest.

Very Many Thanks!

Nduka Obaigbena
Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, THISDAY / ARISE Group,
President NPAN,
President , NPO.
www.thisdaylive.com www.arise.tv^[1][2]