Channels Television has been fined N5 million by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for violating the broadcasting law during a program with Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party (LP) Vice Presidential candidate.
The
letter sent to the Chief Executive Officer of the television station and dated
March 27, entitled “Broadcast of an Inciting Interview, A Sanction,” was signed
by Balarabe Ilelah, the commission’s Director-General.
According to the letter, the NBC monitored
the live interview of Dr Baba-Ahmed by the anchor of Politics Today, Seun
Okibaloye, on Wednesday, March 22, during which Dr Baba-Ahmed stated that it
would be unconstitutional to swear in an elected president on May 29, 2023, due
to election irregularities. Ilelah said that the broadcast was volatile and
capable of inciting public disorder and, as such, violated some sections of the
broadcasting code.
“The NBC had engaged Channels Television
severally to consider public interest before any programme is broadcast,”
Ilelah said. “Consequently, on the following infractions, Channels Television
is hereby sanctioned and shall pay a penalty of N5,000,000 (five million naira)
only in the first instance,” he added.
The Director-General further warned that any further
infraction by the television station would attract higher sanctions. The
station was given a two-week ultimatum to pay the fine.
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