The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, BON, has demanded the immediate withdrawal of sanctions imposed by the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, on top broadcast stations; AIT, Channels Television, and Arise Television, over the reportage of #EndSARS protests, especially in the Lekki Toll area of Lagos State.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Sa’a Ibrahim this Tuesday, BON called on the NBC to also follow due diligence in its actions.
Below is detail of BON release :
October 27, 2020.
BROADCASTING ORGANISATIONS OF NIGERIA
PRESS RELEASE
DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL OF SANCTIONS ON BROADCAST MEDIA STATIONS
The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) is again saddened at the recent sanction on Africa Independent Television (AIT), Channels TV and Arise TV that was announced by the National Broadcasting Commission on Monday, October 26, 2020, during a press conference in Abuja over unprofessional #EndSARS Broadcast.
As citizens, public and private entities in a Democratic system of Government like Nigeria, it is believed that applications of laws have its procedures and steps before reaching a final conclusion where the laws take its cost.
BON wishes to call on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), to issue a formal query to each of the Stations involved and give a stipulated period to formally respond before taking the application of sanction laws.
Therefore, we kindly request that the Sanctions on AIT, Channels TV and Arise TV be withdrawn immediately pending the formal responses by the Stations.
BON also appeal to NBC to be more flexible in its application of sanctions in this crisis period.
We strongly believe in Democracy where citizens and entities are given fair hearing.
Justice, Peace and Unity is always the way forward.
SA’A IBRAHIM
Chairman
for: Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria.
