A popular human rights radio has been sanctioned by the National Broadcasting Commission, a body saddled with regulating activities of broadcast radio stations in Nigeria.
NBC’s hammer is coming days after the founder of the station which is also known as Berekete and host, Ahmed Isah (Ordinary President) assaulted a female invitee in the studio.
Before the sanction which was contained in a statement by the NBC on Thursday, Ahmed Isah had been invited by the Commission to explain his own side of the allegation on Wednesday, 26th May, 2021.
The statement noted: “The meeting afforded Mr Isah opportunity to explain the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident at his radio station where rather than promote human rights and human dignity, a citizen who was invited to the programmme was physically assaulted by the broadcaster.
“The National Broadcasting Commission has reviewed the events and notes the unreserved apologies and regrets expressed by the broadcaster.
“The Commission states, however, that the action of
the broadcaster is in clear violations of the Broadcasting Code and a betrayal of the confidence reposed on him by the people and Government of Nigeria on whose behalf he holds the radio license in trust.
“Section 0.1.1.2.1 of the Broadcasting Commission.
provides in the Social Objectives of Broadcasting
that Broadcasting shall –
“Promote generally accepted social values and norms, especially, civic and social responsibilities; and encourage respect for the dignity of man.
“It also provides that Broadcasting organizations
shall recognize that they exercise freedom of expression as agents of society, not for any personal or sectional rights, privileges of their own or of their proprietors, relatives, friends or supporters.
“It is important to state that the Commission has, over the years, advised, cautioned, warned and fined the station over repeated cases of ouright abuse, denigrating remarks, intimidation and flagrant abuse of ethics of fairness, balance and fair hearing on the station.
“It is also on record that
the Commission had conducted several training
and retraining programmes for the station and the host of the Brekete family programme, especially.
“The Commission has, therefore, in line with the
sanction provisions in 15.5.2 of the Broadcasting Code, ordered the suspension of license of the broadcaster, untill the broadcaster commits to
ethical and professional broadcasting.
“The suspension order is effective Monday the 31st of May 2021, at 12.00am.
“The Order shall last 30 days, during which it is expected that the broadcaster will put its house in order and attune itself to responsive, professional
and responsible broadcasting.
“It shall also pay a recommencement fee of N5 million, as provided for in section 15.5.1 of the Broadcasting Code.
