Amnesty opposes NBC’s ‘final warning’ to Arise TV

Amnesty International (AI) has condemned the ‘final warning’ issued to Arise TV by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over alleged insulting remarks.

The regulator, last Friday, cautioned the media house for the last time for “use of derogatory and incendiary remarks on its programmes.”

The circular, dated October 6, 2023 and signed by NBC’s Director-General, Dr Balarabe Ilelah, the commission directed the station to install a “delay mechanism to avoid unwanted content.”

The warning came eight months after it had fined the broadcast house N2 million for allegedly breaching the National Broadcasting Code.

Illelah’s letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Arise Global Media Limited, is titled “Preponderance of derogatory and incendiary remarks: Final warning.”

But members of AI said: “Targeting Arise TV simply for doing their work sends the wrong message that Nigerian authorities are not prepared to be held accountable.”

“Nigerian authorities must stop the unrelenting quest to silence media organisations like Arise TV, which are crucial to ensuring independent and diverse media space in the country, and fulfilling people’s right to information.

Using regulations as a way to silence independent journalism is completely unacceptable.”