The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has encouraged the National Assembly to begin an investigation into the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) regulatory operations.
MRA accused the agency of caving to a “partisan” Minister of Information in order to prohibit broadcasters in Nigeria from criticizing government leaders and influential politicians.
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On Monday, Programme Officer Maimuna Momoh issued a statement condemning the new N2 million punishment imposed on two television stations, Arise News and Television Continental, TVC.
Momoh condemned the action as the latest example of the NBC abusing its power to oppress broadcasters in contravention of basic natural justice principles.
MRA believes it is unjust for NBC, which drafted the Broadcasting Code, to be the complainant of infractions, investigate suspected violations, prosecute the accused stations, and render a decision on the matter.
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The organisation said stations are not given the opportunity to defend themselves against claims but are sanctioned through fines, “an affront to principles of fair hearing, equity and justice”.
Noting that NBC’s behavior has reached dangerous proportions, MRA believes the agency is either being used to generate revenue or as a weapon to prevent stations from demanding the government’s responsibility and accountability to the people.
The statement stated it is ironic and overtly hazardous that NBC is striving to impose truth and objectivity in the outputs of broadcasting stations “while getting directions from a biased Minister of Information”.
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“If the NBC does not change its regulatory approach, Nigerians would be fed only the Minister’s version of the facts, negating the purpose of Section 22 of the Constitution.”
Momoh emphasized that the principle guiding the activities of an authority regulating broadcasters should be impartial and appropriately protected against political, commercial, or other interference.
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