NBC Slams N5M Penalty On Channels TV over Tinubu’s Petition

NBC Slams N5M Penalty On Channels TV For Breaking Broadcast Code During Interview With Labour Party’s Vice Presidential Candidate, Baba Datti-Ahmed

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has fined Channels Television N5 million for violating broadcasting law during an interview with Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour party’s vice-presidential candidate.

The sanction was conveyed to the CEO of the television station in a letter titled “Broadcast of an Inciting Interview, A Sanction” and signed by the commission’s Director-General, Balarabe Ilelah.

Read Also: Tinubu Petitions NBC, wants Channels TV Sanctioned, gives reason

It stated, in part:

“On March 22, NBC monitored a live interview with the running mate of the Labour Party vice presidential candidate, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, conducted by the anchor of Politics Today, Seun Okibaloye. “According to Dr. Baba-Ahmed, it will be unconstitutional to swear in an elected president on May 29, 2023, due to election irregularities,” Ilelah wrote.

The chairman of the NCC stated that the interview was volatile and capable of inciting public disorder, and therefore violated a number of broadcasting code provisions. According to him, this includes the provision stating that no broadcast may encourage, incite, be repugnant to public feelings, contain an offensive reference to any person or organisation, living or dead, or be disrespectful of human dignity in general.

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According to the broadcasting code, Ilelah explained, broadcasters must ensure that no programme contains content that amounts to subversion of constituted authority.

“Therefore, on the following infractions, Channels Television is sanctioned and shall pay a penalty of N5,000,000 (five million naira) only in the first instance,” he stated.

He added that any additional violations by the television station would result in harsher penalties.

The NBC Director-General advised, “You are advised to pay within two weeks of receiving this letter or the penalty will be increased.”

This sanction is a result of Bola Tinubu’s petition to the commission regarding the interview with LP vice presidential Candidate.

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