The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has condemned the imposition of the N5 million fine slammed on Trust Television and other media organisations by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for airing documentaries that exposed terrorists and their activities.
Trust TV is owned by Media Trust Group, a multimedia company that also publishes Daily Trust newspapers and other titles.
Also similarly fined by the NBC are Multi-choice Nigeria Limited, owners of DSTV, TelCom Satellite Limited (TSTV) and NTA-Startimes Limited, for broadcasting a documentary by the British Broadcasting Commission (BBC) Africa Eye titled ‘Bandits Warlords of Zamfara.’
The sanctions are coming amidst clamour by operators in the Nigerian Broadcast industry for the NBC to reduce its undue interference in their activities.
Reacting to the development, the CDD, in a statement by her Director, Idayat Hassan, described the imposition of the fine as obnoxious, oppressive and suppressive, asking the Commission to withdraw it immediately.
According to her, the fine is a reprehensible attempt to gag the media and infringe on citizens’ rights to free speech and information.
“We condemn, in the strongest terms, the imposition of the fine on Trust Television and other media outlets by the NBC.
“We are particularly alarmed at the speed with which the NBC took the action without giving the affected media outlets time to respond and defend themselves.
“As the partner who supported Trust TV in producing the documentary, we unapologetically emphasise that the documentary was done and aired in the public interest.
“The documentary was based on years of field research, representing all affected communities and proffered pathways to ending the conflict.
“The calibre of persons featured in the documentary and those who attended the screenings, followed by a panel discussion, only speaks to our genuine interest in finding solutions to the conflict,” she said.
The group said as the country approaches the 2023 general elections, the Federal Government must avoid doing anything that will threaten the media landscape or infringe on the citizens’ right to free speech and the right to know.
It said; “We are shocked to see how the NBC violated its procedures by not giving the affected media organisations the right to a fair hearing and acting without receiving any written complaints from anybody as required by its law.
“As a regulator, we expect the NBC to act independently and professionally without succumbing to political pressure.”
