National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Orders Suspension Of Broadcast License Of Human Rights Radio Over Violation Of Human Rights By Founder.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has given directives for the suspension of the broadcast license of Human Rights Radio over a case of physical assault of a woman by the founder and popular host of the Brekete Family Radio show, Ahmed Isah.
According to the commission, the suspension was in line with the sanction provisions in section 15.5.2 of the Broadcasting Code until the broadcaster commits to ethical and professional Broadcasting. The Radio station is expected to go off air on Monday May 31st 2021.
The suspension gets activated at 12am.
The acting Director-General of NBC, Prof Armstrong Idachaba, in a statement signed by him, reveals that the commission had earlier met with the founder of Human Rights Radio, Ahmed Isah, on Tuesday May 26, 2021. The meeting was to afford him the chance to offer an explanation to the circumstances that led to the incident him physically assaulting a lady identified as Susan in his studio for setting her little nice on fire from the head.
Speaking further, Idachaba said, the commission has reviewed the events and noted the unreserved apologies and regrets expressed by the broadcaster also known as ‘Ordinary President’.
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He layer emphasis however that the action of the broadcaster was in clear violations of the Broadcasting Code and a betrayal of the confidence reposed in 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 Code 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 organisations shall recognize that they exercise freedom of expression as agents of society, not for any personal or sectional rights, privileges, and needs of their own or of their proprietors, relatives, friends, or supporters.”
Idachaba said, the commission has over the years advised, cautioned, warned, and fined the station over repeated cases of outright abuse, denigrating remarks, intimidation and flagrant abuse of ethics of fairness, balance and fair hearing on the station.
He also noted that there are records to show that the commission had conducted several training and retraining programmes for the station and the host of the Brekete family show especially.
“ The commission has, therefore, in line with the sanction provisions in 15.5.2 of the Broadcasting Code, ordered the suspension of the license of the Broadcaster until the Broadcaster commits to ethical and professional broadcasting. The suspension order is effective Monday the 31st of May 2021, at 12.00 am.
“ 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,” he added.
The station is also expected at the end of the suspension, to pay a recommencement fee according to the provisions of 15.5.1 of the Broadcasting code.
“ The NBC appreciates the popularity of the station and the fact that it has in many cases tuned its programming to the yearnings of the people.
“ The commission however has a sacred duty to promote decency, professionalism, and respect for the dignity of all citizens by all Broadcasters in Nigeria,” the NBC boss added.
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