After issuing a warning to media firms not to embarrass the government with its reportage on the #EndSARS protests, the National Broadcasting Commission NBC has fined three media firms, African Independent Television, AIT, Channels Television and the #EndSARS champion media Arise TV a whooping sum of 3 million naira each, totaling 9 million naira.
The Acting Director-General of Commission, Professor Armstrong Idachaba announced the sanction at a press conference in Abuja today.
He noted that the NBC may close down the firms if it escalates the violations that emanated from the misuse of social media sources by broadcasters. Giving explanations as to why the sanction, Idachaba said the stations’ offence was capable of leading to a breakdown of law and order but the option of the fine will serve as a warning to the stations and others. Read also: Stop Inciting Violence On Social Media – Lagos Tells Residents
The NBC further alleged that the Africa Independent Television (AIT), Arise Television and Channels Television violated the broadcast code, top of which is the use of unverifiable online video footages and images of the alleged shooting which took place at Lekki toll gate. He added that DAAR Communications, the owner of AIT, will be fined separately for using an unverifiable news item on the fire incident at the National Christian Centre, warning that this will be the last caution before a heavier sanction will be introduced.
