Channels Television was fined N5 million by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for breaching the law when it conducted an interview with Labour Party vice presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed.
A letter from Balarabe Ilelah, the director-general of the commission, bearing the subject line “Broadcast of an Inciting Interview, A Sanction,” was used to inform the television station’s CEO of the sanction.
It read in part
‘’The NBC monitored the broadcast of a live interview of the running mate of the Labour Party Vice presidential candidate, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, by the anchor of Politics Today, Seun Okibaloye, on Wednesday, March 22. Dr Baba-Ahmed said it will be unconstitutional to swear in an elected president on May 29, 2023, because of election irregularities,” Ilelah said in the letter.
The interview, according to the NCC chairman, violated some provisions of the broadcasting code since it was explosive and had the potential to cause a riot. He claims that this includes the clause that states that no broadcast may urge or instigate, be offensive to the sensibilities of the general public, or make a reference to any individual or group, living or dead, or otherwise be demeaning to human dignity.
Ilelah continued by saying that in accordance with the broadcasting code, broadcasters were required to make sure that nothing on their programs amounted to the overthrow of legitimate authority.
“Consequently, on the following infractions, Channels Television is hereby sanctioned and shall pay a penalty of N5,000,000 (five million naira) only in the first instance” he said
He added that any further infraction by the television station would attract higher sanctions.
“You are advised to pay within two weeks from the day of receipt of this letter or the penalty will be graduated,” the NBC Director-General said
