NBC vs DAAR Communications: Heavily armed police, SSS operatives surround AIT premises – Akiotu

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NBC vs DAAR Communications: Heavily armed police, SSS operatives surround AIT premises – Akiotu

 

Heavily armed security men of the Nigeria Police Force and the State Security Service have surrounded the premises of the African Independent Television, AIT.

This was after the station came back on air late Friday.

This was disclosed by the Group Managing Director of DAAR Communications, Tony Akiotu.

Akiolu addressed newsmen shortly after AIT commenced operation, claiming that security forces gathered around the station’s premises.

He decried the development, adding that the action of the NPF and the SSS was an ‘unwarranted threat’ on the broadcast station.

He said that “by 12.30 a.m. Saturday morning, the premises was surrounded, adding that the “heavily fortified security operatives were carrying out surveillance on the premises.”

He said this was “unusual” and the motive “unclear” but the station will not be deterred as “the station is still transmitting signals on its national and global beam.”

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NBC must lift ban on AIT, RayPower immediately – SERAP threatens legal action

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NBC must lift ban on AIT, RayPower immediately – SERAP threatens legal action

 

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened legal action against the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC over the suspension of the licence of DAAR Communications, owners of AIT and RayPower Fm.

NBC had on Thursday suspended the license of AIT and RayPower Fm until further notice for failure to abide by the broadcasting code.

The Director-General of NBC, Modibbo Kawu, announced the development Thursday evening.

The development has since sparked diverse reactions from Nigerians on social media.

Speaking on the development, SERAP called on NBC to lift the ban on AIT , RayPower immediately or face legal action.

The group in a post on its official Twitter page described the indefinite suspension as illegal.

The post reads: “We have carefully reviewed the ‘grounds’ for suspending AIT and Raypower. We maintain that the indefinite suspension by NBC is arbitrary and blatantly illegal. The ban must be lifted immediately.

“The NBC must immediately reverse its arbitrary decision to suspend AIT, Raypower or face legal action.

“This is censorship. The move is a serious blow to freedom of expression and Nigerians’ right to information about critical developments in the country. “

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AIT/RayPower shutdown: Ezekwesili gives own reason NBC shut down media house

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AIT/RayPower shutdown: Ezekwesili gives own reason NBC shut down media house

 

A former presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, Oby Ezekwesili has reacted to the suspension of the licence of the African Independent Television, AIT and RayPower Fm by the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC.

NBC had on Thursday suspended the license of AIT and RayPower Fm until further notice.

The Director-General of NBC, Modibbo Kawu, disclosed that the action was taken for failure of the broadcasting stations to abide by the broadcasting code.

The offences listed by the NBC included the airing of a presidential election documentary by the AIT, a matter pending before a tribunal, the inability of the company to pay its fees, the use of “divisive and inciting contents from the Social Media” among others.

But, reacting to the development, Ezekwesili said there was nothing in NBC letter that warranted the withdrawal of AIT’s licence.

She added that AIT was only shut down because it is perceived to be an “Opposition media.”

She tweeted, ”NBC to AIT that reaches the threshold for withdrawal of license and shut down of a Media house that we all know Government perceives as an “Opposition media.

” My Summary of this lengthy Sanctions letter from NBC to AIT is simply this.

“We have warned you several times in the past to stop broadcasting things that upset the Government and NBC. You refused to listen. Now we shall shut you up and down until you are ready to be like NTA”

”There is nothing in that letter from NBC to AIT that reaches the threshold for withdrawal of license and shut down of a Media house that we all know Government perceives as an “Opposition media”.

”Wisdom should have actually instructed the FG against striking out at them.”

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AIT/RayPower: Your punishment too harsh – Lawyer, Ajulo to NBC

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AIT/RayPower: Your punishment too harsh – Lawyer, Ajulo to NBC

 

A Constitutional lawyer, Dr Kayode Ajulo, has condemned the punishment meted to DAAR Communications, owners of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM by the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), saying it was too harsh.

Ajulo said on Friday in Abuja that there were other punishments that could be employed by NBC to ensure that any erring media outfit conforms with prescribed laws and regulations, NAN reports.

He said that the freedom of the press was guaranteed in developed nations and polities, adding that the provisions of Section 23 of the constitution guaranteed press freedom.

According to him, the press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.

“I am of the view that the punishment meted by the NBC was harsh, however, one of the remedies that avails to AIT is to approach the court for reversal of any action taken by NBC,” he said in a statement.

He said that AIT was a product of June 12 struggle, noting that it would be a disservice to democracy and nationalism as well as the image of Nigerian government to withdraw the license of DAAR Communications.

Ajulo said that the withdrawal coming on the eve of the grand celebration of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day, would not augur well for the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Director-General of NBC, Mr Kawu Modibo, said the decision to suspend AIT was based on the violation of the broadcasting code by the station.

Others include failure of the broadcasting station to pay its licence fees as and when due backed by the provisions of paragraph 10 of the third schedule of the NBC Act.

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Peter Obi reacts to NBC’s suspension of AIT, RayPower FM, says Nigeria back to military dictatorship

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Peter Obi reacts to NBC’s suspension of AIT, RayPower FM, says Nigeria back to military dictatorship

 

Peter Obi, the 2019 vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned the suspension of DAAR Communication Plc, owner of AIT and RayPower FM by the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC.

NBC had on Thursday suspended the license of AIT and RayPower FM until further notice.

The Director-General of NBC, Modibbo Kawu, disclosed that the action was taken for failure of the broadcasting stations to abide by the broadcasting code. 

The offences listed by the NBC included the airing of a presidential election documentary by the AIT, a matter pending before a tribunal, the inability of the company to pay its fees, the use of “divisive and inciting contents from the Social Media” among others.

Reacting to the suspension, Obi described the decision of Daar Communication’s licence as an affront on the freedom of the press and speech as enshrined by the constitution.

In a tweet, the former Anambra governor wrote: “The suspension of the licenses of AIT and Ray Power stand condemned. It is an affront on the freedom of the press, and of speech as enshrined in our constitution. It is a throwback to the years of military dictatorship. – PO.”

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