The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has given Channels Television 24 hours to answer a query it served the broadcast organisation over its interview with the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.
Ortom had during the interview condemned President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to approve the review of the 368 grazing routes across 25 states in the country to determine the levels of encroachment on the sites.
The governor also accused President Buhari of harbouring a Fulanization agenda in Nigeria, saying the President was in support of the activities of herdsmen terrorizing the citizens across the country.
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Following the development, NBC in a letter titled: “Notice of Infraction,” queried Channels TV specifically for the “inciting, divisive and unfair comments” made by the governor of its “Sunrise Daily’ breakfast” programme.
In the letter dated August 24, 2021 and signed by its Director-General, Balarabe Ilelah, NBC said: “The programme which had as guest the Executive Governor of Benue State, Governor Samuel Ortom, was observed to contain inciting, divisive and unfair comments which were not thoroughly interrogated by the anchors.”
The regulator maintained that the actions negated Sections 1.10.4, 3.1.1, 3.3.1(b), 3.3.1(e), 3.11.1(a), and 3.12.2 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
“Consequently, Channels Television is required to explain why appropriate sanctions should not be applied for these infractions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. Your response should reach the Commission within 24 hours of the receipt of this letter,” it added.
Meanwhile, former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani has described the purported arrest of two channels TV presenters, chamberlain Usor and Kayode Okikiolu as a bad antecedent that would do the country no good.
Tweeting on Thursday, Said: “A Journalist can only ask questions, he or she can’t be held responsible for the answers or the truths or facts contained in the answers. The arrest of the @Channelstv presenters Chamberlain Usor and Kayode Okikiolu is unconscionable. We can’t solve our problems by muzzling the press.