Friday Olokor
19 September 2008
Lagos — Human right activists and civil society organizations would today picket the premises of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for revoking the operational licence of Lagos-based Channels Television.
The exercise billed for the Commissions's office at the Tafawa Balew Square (TBS) by 11: am is jointly organised by the United Action for Democracy (UAD) and the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM). This is coming just as Abike Dabiri, member of the Federal House of Representatives called on the federal government to exercise restraint, saying the revocation did not follow rule of law.
A statement issued yesterday by the National Administrative Secretary of UAD, Mr. Olawale Salami said "the picketing is being organised following the undemocratic and insensitive closure of Channels Television for allegedly giving information that threatens National Interest. An injury to one is an injury to all".
While calling on the federal government to re-open Channels Television which has displayed a high sense of Professionalism since its inception 15 years, ago Dabiri in a statement made available to Daily Champion accused the NBC of not following due process required by law before, revoking the license.
The statement entitled: Closure of Channels TV by the government.
"Following the closure of Channels Television, by the SSS on Tuesday, 16th Sept, 2008, on allegations of carrying the purported intention of President Umaru Musa Yar Adua to resign on grounds of ill-health, I hereby make a strong appeal to the Federal Government to consider re-opening the station, which has since its inception 15 years ago displayed a high sense of professionalism and has positively changed broadcast news journalism in Nigeria, thus advancing the cause of democracy. I appeal for restraint and caution, as the recourse to undemocratic action of closing down the station, without following laid down rules and procedure will negate the administrations avowed regard for the rule of law and due process, which has been the Yar Adua administration's guiding principle.
"The Nigerian Broadcasting Code requires that an erring station should first be served with a notice requiring it to defend itself within 30 days, and given hearing before sanctions. Paragraph 10.7.1 of the code states "the commission shall serve an erring station an order to show cause why a revocation or a "cease and desist" injunction should not be issued. Paragraph 2.14.0 of the code elaborates by providing for public hearing for complaints. None of these steps were taken.
Since Channels TV has carried the refusal and also an apology, I appeal to the Federal Government to re-open the station and release the detained staff, as continuing the closure will serve no positive purpose.
I wish the President good health and wisdom to steer the affairs of the nation".
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 Daily Champion. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
