The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has slammed a fine of N5 million on Channels Television, for breaking the broadcasting code during an interview with Labour Party (LP) vice presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed.
Rant HQ learnt that this sanction was contained in a letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the television station and dated March 27.
Recall that Datti Baba Ahmed had in March during an interview with the host of the programme, Seun Okinbaloye declared that Nigeria has no president-elect.
According to him, Bola Tinubu can’t be seen as the President-elect because the certificate of return he holds is a dud certificate with no value.
The letter entitled: “Broadcast of an Inciting Interview, A Sanction”, signed by the NBC Director-General, Balarabe Ilelah, described Datti’s statement as volatile and capable of inciting public disorder and violating some section of the broadcasting code.
Ilelah stated that according to the broadcasting code, broadcasters shall ensure that no programme contained anything which amounted to a subversion of constituted authority.
He said this was to ensure that the country was not plunged into anarchy adding that any further infraction by the television station would attract higher sanctions.
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.
“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.
“You are advised to pay within two weeks from the day of receipt of this letter or the penalty will be graduated”
