Nigerians have reacted to the fine of N5 million slammed on frontline TV station, Channels TV by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The interview in question was with Emma Powerful, the spokesman of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Channels TV was fined over a breach of the Broadcasting Code.
In a letter signed by its Acting Director-General, Armstrong Idachaba; the NBC complained about the Channels TV 7pm live broadcast programme of Sunday, April 25, 2021. The NBC DG told the Managing Director of Channels TV that the TV station erred by allowing a leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to make secessionist and also inciting declarations without caution.
The regulator accused the news channel of allowing the guest speaker to make derogatory, false; as well as misleading statements about the Nigerian Army, despite being proscribed by a court of law.
Emma Powerful had fielded a series of questions from his interviewer in which he addressed the recent killing of a commander of IPOB by security forces in Imo State. Emma Powerful had declared that the commander, known as Ikonson Commander, was set up.
Further, he had declared that the Nigerian Army lacked the capacity to invade the camps of IPOB; stating instead that the commander was ambushed after being lured out by some prominent politicians. In addition, Emma Powerful claimed that the deceased commander had rejected the offer of Imo Governor, Hope Uzodinma to head the newly formed South East regional security outfit, Ebube Agu.
Meanwhile, the action of the Federal Government has drawn intense reactions from Nigerians. Consequently, a number of users have taken to the micro-blogging site, Twitter to react. Indeed, a school of thought had declared the fine on Channels TV as a case of hypocrisy and double standard; even as it accused the FG of not taking action when Channels TV aired some incendiary comments made by the Miyetti Allah.
Others also cited instances when the government failed to take action over statements capable of inciting unrest.
Equally important, 1st News has put together a few reactions below; including that of a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.
