#EndSARS: SERAP Vows To Sue NBC Over fines on Channels TV, AIT, Arise TV

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has Threatened to drag the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to court over N9 million fines it imposed on Channels TV, AIT and Arise TV.

While condemning the N3 million fines imposed on the three media houses, over their coverage of the #EndSARS protests, SERAP, alleged that the sanctions is a push to silence independent media and voices.

The civil society organisation, who made this claim in a statement issued in Lagos on Monday by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare also described the fines as unconstitutional.

Read Also: #EndSARS: Lagos Judicial Panel Receives 15 Petitions, Start Sittings Tuesday

The acting Director-General of the NBC, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, announced at a press conference in Abuja yesterday that the agency has fined Channels Television, Arise Television and Africa Independent Television for what it termed “unprofessional coverage” of the #EndSARS protests.

But SERAP asked the NBC to drop the fines and uphold Nigerian constitution and international obligations to respect and protect freedom of expression and media freedom.

It also vowed to sue the NBC if the “unconstitutional fines are not rescinded within 48 hours.”

The organization said: “This is a new low in Nigeria’s protection of freedom of expression, and the ability of independent media to function in the country. The fines are detrimental to media freedom, and access to information, and the NBC must immediately withdraw the decision.

The statement, read in part: “Media freedom and media plurality are a central part of the effective exercise of freedom of expression and access to information. The ability to practice journalism free from undue interference, to cover peaceful protests, and critical views are crucial to the exercise of many other rights and freedoms.

“The media has a vital role to play as ‘public watchdog’ in imparting information of serious public concern and should not be inhibited or intimidated from playing that role. The NBC should stop targeting and intimidating independent media and voices.

“President Muhammadu Buhari should caution the NBC to stop intimidating and harassing independent media houses and to respect the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations, including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

29th March 2024
Nigerian Pantagraph
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