The Channels Television has been fined the huge sum of 5 million Naira by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over its interview with Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, Labour Party Vice Presidential Candidate. In that interview, Datti said that the president-elect, Bola Tinubu would not be sworn in as president according to Vanguard
The letter was addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Television Station and dated March 27. The letter titled, “Broadcast of an Inciting Interview, A Sanction” was signed by Balarabe Ilelah, the commission’s Director-General, and obtained exclusively by the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja.
“The NBC monitored the broadcast of a live interview of the running mate of the Labour Party Vice presidential candidate, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, by the anchor of Politics Today, Seun Okibaloye, on Wednesday, March 22.
“Dr. Baba-Ahmed said it will be unconstitutional to swear in an elected president on May 29, 2023, because of election irregularities,” Ilelah said in the letter.
He said the broadcast is capable of inciting public disorder and therefore violated some sections of the broadcasting code like the section that said no broadcast shall encourage, or incite, be repugnant to public feelings or contain an offensive reference to any person or organization, alive or dead or generally be disrespectful to human dignity.
“Consequently, on the following infractions, Channels Television is hereby sanctioned and shall pay a penalty of N5,000,000 (five million nairas) only in the first instance,” he said
“You are advised to pay within two weeks from the day of receipt of this letter or the penalty will be graduated,” the NBC Director-General said (NAN)
