The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has imposed a six-month suspension order on a radio/TV programme, Idon Mikiya.
The programme, which was being aired on the stable of Vision Media Services, Abuja, was suspended for outright violation of the country’s broadcasting code.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the media outfit was also fined N5 million in addition to the six- month suspension.
The suspension order is contained in a letter entitled, “Prejudicial Content on Idon Mikiya: Suspension Order,” and addressed to the Managing Director of Vision Media Services Limited, Abuja.
According to the letter which was signed by the Director-General of the NBC, Balarabe Ilelah, the suspension order took effect from Jan. 28.
Ilelah described the content of the programme aired on Jan. 5 as a breach of the nation’s security apparatus.
The letter read in part: “The National Broadcasting Commission monitored the broadcast of your programme, Idon Mikiya, on Jan. 5, 2022, on your stations Vision FM and Farin Wata TV, with concern.
“Your discussion of issues, including appointments at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) constitutes a breach of the provisions of Section 39(3) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which imposes restrictions on matters concerning Government Security Services or Agencies established by law.
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“Transmitting the Trade Secrets or other issues regarding a National Security Agency amounts to an act prejudicial to National Security contrary to the above section cited.’’
The NBC recalled that it had several times invited the management of Vision FM on issues of balance, fairness and presenter bearing opinion, which were violations of the country’s Broadcasting Code.
The commission warned that failure by Vision FM management to comply with the suspension order would attract a higher penalty.
Meanwhile Sahara Reporters reports that when contacted, the Managing Director, Vision Media Services, Shuaibu Mungadi, confirmed receiving the letter, saying the company had complied with the suspension order. He, however, said the station committed no infraction.
He said: “If you read the section in question, you’ll see that we’ve not violated any law. It was actually the NBC that violated the law, not Vision Media Services. So, there was no infraction anywhere,” he said.
On the N5million fine, Mungadi said, “I’m not sure we’ll meet the fine itself because Idon Mikiya is the programme that attracts clients that place advertisements, so much money is placed on that programme.
“So, if you suspend it, that means you already suspended our means of income. It’s the mainstay of our company and if suspended, it also negates the federal government’s claim that it’s trying to provide jobs because we have 7 radio stations with one TV station.
“If you close down these stations due this fine, definitely, hundreds of people will lose jobs, and I’m not sure we have the money for now.”
In August 2021, Balarabe Ilelah, Director-General of NBC vowed that the Muhammadu Buhari-led government would be guiding journalists and media houses on what to report and any outlets caught flouting the broadcasting codes would be summoned to explain themselves.
“NBC is not here to suppress press freedom but to guide the press,” Ilelah said.
“Our duty is to make sure that everybody is given a fair playing ground so that you can say whatever you want to say that is according to the law.”
