Dipo Olowookere
The operating licence of DAAR Communications Plc, operators of African Independent Television (AIT), RayPower FM and Faaji FM, has been suspended by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Director General of the media watchdog in Nigeria, Mr Isa’aq Modibbo, said at a briefing in Abuja on Thursday that the suspension was till further notice.
He accused the broadcast platforms of going against the broadcasting codes of the NBC and that owners of the stations failed to make corrections even when they were warned several times in the past.
However, the decision of the NBC to shut down AIT and RayPower FM has generated mixed reactions from Nigerians. While some see it as long overdue, others view it as an attempt to gag the media, especially those critical of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in a statement demanded immediate revocation of the suspension order of the licenses of DAAR Communication Plc.
In a statement signed by its President, Mrs Funke Egbemode, and General Secretary, Mrs Mary Atolagbe, the Guild described the action of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) as a “case of Executive highhandedness,” adding “it paints our dear country in the darkest tar of dictatorship,” adding that the suspension order “runs contrary to the ideals of free speech and the fine tenets of press freedom.”
“The Fourth Estate of the Realm remains the watchdog of society and any attempt to gag it in any guise is an affront on democracy and the people. The NBC must and should rescind this ignoble and despicable decision.
“The Guild strongly believes the NBC action is a draconian form of regulation, being out of tune with democratic principles.
“The Guild is concerned about the violation of the constitutional rights of DAAR Communications and the absence of media freedom, independence and the stifling of operations of media outfits which are performing their roles as the watchdog of the Nigerian society.
“The NGE condemns in strong terms the barbaric crackdown on the broadcast outfit and demands the immediate cessation of this atrocious repression and excessive show of power by the NBC, whose duty is to regulate and not kill the media.
“Muzzling the media and throwing thousands of Nigerians into the already saturated labor market should not be the trophy for good corporate governance of a regulator; it is something to be ashamed of and NBC should be ashamed at its action in a fledgling democracy in the 21st Century.
“The Guild is strongly of the opinion that the NBC, in exercising its regulatory powers, should concentrate on implementing policies that will position Nigeria’s broadcasting to compete in the global spheres, rather than engage in witch-hunting and unnecessary show of excessive force,” the statement said.
While appealing to President Buhari to use his good offices to call NBC to order, the Guild expressed its solidarity with the AIT/Raypower family, urging the staff and management to remain calm as the Guild liaises with and other media professionals as well as well meaning Nigerians to get justice.
A Senator in the immediate past 8th National Assembly, Mr Shehu Sani, said, “The suspension of @AIT_Online is an utterly condemnable act.The suspension is politically motivated.Its an act of ingratitude & treachery to strangulate the very media outlet that has played a pivotal role in the struggle for the restoration and defense of democracy.”
A former Minister of Aviation and former presidential media aide, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, while reacting to the issue, said, “AIT shut down! I warned Nigerians in 2015 and I was maligned and hated for it. I warned Nigerians in 2019 and I was ignored, despised and ostracised for it. Even now Nigerians still don’t know the nature of the monster that plagues and afflicts them. The worst is yet to come.”
Mr Reno Omokri, a former media aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, said, “First they came for the Legislature (@BukolaSaraki), we did nothing. Next they came for the Judiciary (CJN Walter Onnoghen), we said nothing. Now, they have come for the Press (@AIT_Online). Will you still do NOTHING? Please RETWEET to reject #ReturnToDictatorshipInNigeria.”
Also, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce said, “I stand for #PressFreedom. If the press isn’t free, it means Government therefore possesses more power over her citizens than it needs to have. #AITUnderSiege.”
However, Ms Lauretta Onochie, a social media aide to the President Buhari, has hailed the decision of the NBC to shut down AIT and RayPower, saying, “Nigerians must begin to speak up against those who break our laws. We must insist that enforcement agencies ensure consequences are meted out to those who are accustomed to impunity. Thats d way forward. Kudos NBC!”
