NEWS
AIT, RayPower shutdown: NGE blows hot, demands immediate revocation of
suspension order
The Nigerian Guild
of Editors (NGE) has demanded an immediate revocation of the suspension order
of the licenses of DAAR Communication Plc, owners of AIT, RayPower and Faaji
FM.
According to the
Guild, the suspension order runs contrary to the ideals of free speech and the
fine tenets of press freedom.
In a statement
signed by its President, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, and General Secretary, Mrs. Mary
Atolagbe, the Guild described the action of the National Broadcasting
Commission (NBC) as a case of executive highhandedness.
The guild added
that the suspension of the broadcast licenses of DAAR communication paints
Nigeria in the darkest tar of dictatorship.
The statement
reads: “The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) hereby condemns in very strong
terms the indefinite suspension of the licenses of the African Independent
Television, AIT, Ray Power by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
“The Guild demands
in clear terms the revocation of the suspension order as it runs contrary to
the ideals of free speech and the fine tenets of press freedom. This is a case
of Executive highhandedness and it paints our dear country in the darkest tar
of dictatorship.
“The Fourth Estate
of the Realm remains the watchdog of society and any attempt to gag it in any
guise is an affront on democracy and the people. The NBC must and should
rescind this ignoble and despicable decision.
“The Guild strongly
believes the NBC action is a draconian form of regulation, being out of tune
with democratic principles. The Guild is concerned about the violation of the
constitutional rights of DAAR Communications and the absence of media freedom,
independence and the stifling of operations of media outfits which are
performing their roles as the watchdog of the Nigerian society.
“The NGE condemns
in strong terms the barbaric crackdown on the broadcast outfit and demands the
immediate cessation of this atrocious repression and excessive show of power by
the NBC, whose duty is to regulate and not kill the media.
“Muzzling the media
and throwing thousands of Nigerians into the already saturated labor market
should not be the trophy for good corporate governance of a regulator; it is
something to be ashamed of and NBC should be ashamed at its action in a
fledgling democracy in the 21st Century.
“The Guild is
strongly of the opinion that the NBC, in exercising its regulatory powers,
should concentrate on implementing policies that will position Nigeria’s
broadcasting to compete in the global spheres, rather than engage in
witch-hunting and unnecessary show of excessive force. The Guild hereby
expresses its solidarity with the AIT/Raypower family, urging the staff and
management to remain calm as the Guild liaises with and other media
professionals as well as well meaning Nigerians to get justice.
“The NGE appeals to
President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to use his good offices to call NBC to order.
“It is to be
recalled that NBC had, before the 2019 general election, shut down Joy FM in
Jos for violations of the broadcasting code. Last year, the NBC shut down Ekiti
Radio/TV station. Shutting down stations and withdrawing licences are too
extreme in the circumstance. There must be humane and saner ways to resolve
disputes bordering on violation of the Broadcasting Code.”
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