IPOB: At last, NBC Slams N5m Fine On Channels TV, Inspiration FM

Despite widespread criticism that trailed its earlier reprimand
of Channels TV for granting leader of the Indigenous Peoples of
Biafra, IPOB, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has
finally asked Channels Television to pay a fine of N5 million for
breaching the broadcast code.

Also fined N5million alongside Channels Television is
Inspiration FM Lagos.

Recall that the Commission had last week queried Channels
Television after Emma Powerful, a leader of the proscribed
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was interviewed on its live
programme, ‘‘Politics Today’’, on Monday, April 26th.

Following the news of its action, NBC faced wide condemnation by
many Nigerians who viewed the alleged suspension of Channels TV by
NBC as an attack on media freedom and independence.

In the letter addressed to Channels TV Managing Director on
Monday, the NBC accused the station of promoting content liable to
incite hatred and sectionalism by tolerating the IPOB spokesman’s
“derogatory, false and misleading statements” which is in violation
of Sections 3.11.1(b) and 5.4.3 of broadcasting Act.

But on Tuesday, Aptil 27th, NBC denied suspending the TV
station, claiming that it only warned it and did not suspend the
station’s operations over the broadcast of an interview with a
leader of an outlawed group, IPOB.

NBC, however, said the TV station apologised for breaching the
code.

Similarly, Inspiration FM Lagos reportedly aired a broadcast of
IPOB wherein it made “secessionist claims”.

In a statement on Thursday, NBC acting director-general,
Armstrong Idachaba, said the sections of the code breached by the
stations are “class A” offences which attract the “immediate order
of suspension of broadcast services; suspension of licence and
immediate shut down”.

“Section 3.11.1(b), the broadcaster shall ensure that no
programme contains anything which amounts to subversion of
constituted authority or compromises the unity of corporate
existence of Nigeria as a sovereign state,” NAN quoted Idachaba as
saying. “(In) 15.5.1: the following penalties shall apply in
respect of a breach committed by the broadcaster: light, N200,000
to N500,000; heavy, N500,000 to N4,999,000; severe,
N5,000,000.”

According to Idachaba, NBC reviewed the appeals of both stations
and decided to set aside the option of suspension of license.

“The NBC has reviewed the appeals and apologies from both
stations, and has decided to set aside the option of suspension of
license,” he said.

“The commission has, however, directed both stations to pay N5
million penalty each to serve as a deterrent.”

The NBC boss, however, warned broadcasters to desist from
endangering the security of the nation by giving voice to
“terrorist organisations”.

Despite widespread criticism that trailed its earlier reprimand
of Channels TV for granting leader of the Indigenous Peoples of
Biafra, IPOB, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has
finally asked Channels Television to pay a fine of N5 million for
breaching the broadcast code.

Also fined N5million alongside Channels Television is
Inspiration FM Lagos.

Recall that the Commission had last week queried Channels
Television after Emma Powerful, a leader of the proscribed
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was interviewed on its live
programme, ‘‘Politics Today’’, on Monday, April 26th.

Following the news of its action, NBC faced wide condemnation by
many Nigerians who viewed the alleged suspension of Channels TV by
NBC as an attack on media freedom and independence.

In the letter addressed to Channels TV Managing Director on
Monday, the NBC accused the station of promoting content liable to
incite hatred and sectionalism by tolerating the IPOB spokesman’s
“derogatory, false and misleading statements” which is in violation
of Sections 3.11.1(b) and 5.4.3 of broadcasting Act.

But on Tuesday, Aptil 27th, NBC denied suspending the TV
station, claiming that it only warned it and did not suspend the
station’s operations over the broadcast of an interview with a
leader of an outlawed group, IPOB.

NBC, however, said the TV station apologised for breaching the
code.

Similarly, Inspiration FM Lagos reportedly aired a broadcast of
IPOB wherein it made “secessionist claims”.

In a statement on Thursday, NBC acting director-general,
Armstrong Idachaba, said the sections of the code breached by the
stations are “class A” offences which attract the “immediate order
of suspension of broadcast services; suspension of licence and
immediate shut down”.

“Section 3.11.1(b), the broadcaster shall ensure that no
programme contains anything which amounts to subversion of
constituted authority or compromises the unity of corporate
existence of Nigeria as a sovereign state,” NAN quoted Idachaba as
saying. “(In) 15.5.1: the following penalties shall apply in
respect of a breach committed by the broadcaster: light, N200,000
to N500,000; heavy, N500,000 to N4,999,000; severe,
N5,000,000.”

According to Idachaba, NBC reviewed the appeals of both stations
and decided to set aside the option of suspension of license.

“The NBC has reviewed the appeals and apologies from both
stations, and has decided to set aside the option of suspension of
license,” he said.

“The commission has, however, directed both stations to pay N5
million penalty each to serve as a deterrent.”

The NBC boss, however, warned broadcasters to desist from
endangering the security of the nation by giving voice to
“terrorist organisations”.