CEM REPORT | The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has kicked against the imposition of N5 million on media houses for airing documentaries on terrorism and banditry.
The CDD Director, Idayat Hassan, in a statement on Saturday, stated that the decision is contrary to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) law, adding that it did not afford the affected media organization the right to a fair hearing.
She noted that the documentary was solely in public interest while
The statement reads:
“We condemn, in the strongest terms, the imposition of the fine on Trust Television and other media outlets by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
“We are particularly alarmed at the speed with which took 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.
“As the country approaches the 2023 general elections, we urge the Federal Government to avoid doing anything that will threaten the media landscape or infringe on the citizens’ right to free speech and the right to know.
“We are shocked to see how the National Broadcasting Commission 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.”
Recall that Multichoice, NTA, TSTV Multichoice Nigeria Limited, owners of DSTV, TelCom Satellite Limited (TSTV) and NTA-Startimes Limited, were fined N5 million each for broadcasting a documentary by the British Broadcasting Commission (BBC) Africa Eye titled ‘Bandits Warlords Of Zamfara.’
Similarly, Trust-TV Network L.td. was also fined N5 million for its documentary titled: “Nigeria’s Banditary-The inside story.”
