Broadcasting
Guild of Editors Asks NBC to Withdraw Fines on ChannelsTV, Inspiration FM
Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has asked that called National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), to withdraw the obnoxious fines imposed on Channels Television and Inspiration FM for alleged infractions and stop the harassment of broadcast stations over matters that could easily be resolved through dialogue.
The Guild of Editors described the NBC as playing the role of an accuser, the prosecutor and the judge insisted that both stations involved haven’t been given enough time to defend themselves.
The NBC had imposed a N5million fine on Channels Television for an alleged infraction of the NBC broadcast code after ChannelsTV interviewed Mr Emma Powerful, spokesperson of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, on its politics programme, Politics Today.
The NBC had on April 27, In a statement by Armstrong Idachaba, the acting director-general, said the sections of the code breached by the stations are “class A” offences which attract the “immediate order of suspension of broadcast services; suspension of licence and immediate shut down”. But reacting to the fines,
The Nigerian Guild of Editors frowned at the action of NBC, saying the National Broadcasting Code is “clearly at variance with the tenets of democracy anchored on freedom of expression and a free press.”
According to the Nigerian Guild of Editors, “These fines are punitive, arbitrary and against press freedom.”
“NBC is punishing Channels TV for interviewing the spokesman of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, while Inspiration FM is facing the hammer of NBC for broadcasting a statement of IPOB declaring a sit -at -home order.”
The Guild stated. “Once again, the NBC has played the role of an accuser, the prosecutor and the judge.”
It noted. Nigerian Guild of Editors opined that such actions do not bedeck democratic principles of freedom of expression.
It said, “In a democratic country like ours, a panel should have been set up to investigate the alleged infractions, with both stations given the opportunity to defend themselves.”
“The National Broadcasting Code is clearly at variance with the tenets of democracy anchored on freedom of expression and a free press.”
It pointed out. The Guild noted that apology letters from both stations affected was too hasty and not enough grounds to justify the actions of the NBC.
“Every accused person or organisation deserves a fair hearing before punishment is pronounced. Obtaining letters of apology from the affected stations under duress can’t justify the action of the NBC.”
It said. In what seems like a wide example of criticisms pointed out against the NBC by many Nigerians, The Nigerian Guild of Editors cited a similar case where a leader of a terrorist group was interviewed by VOA Hausa service but sanctions were not imposed to date.
“The Voice of America, VOA, Hausa Service, recently interviewed the leader of a terrorist group behind the abduction of 22 students of Greenfield University, Kaduna State.
In that interview, the terrorists threatened to kill the remaining students in their custody if N100 million ( One hundred million naira ) was not paid within twenty-four hours.”
“Neither the American authorities nor any other regulatory agency imposed sanctions on VOA for this interview.” The Guild noted.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors calls for the review of the broadcast code to help nurture and sustain Nigeria’s democracy.
According to the Nigerian Guild of Editors, “The Nigerian Broadcasting Code should be reviewed without delay to reflect democratic principles. Broadcast stations in Nigeria shouldn’t be made to operate in an atmosphere of fear.
“A free press is needed to nurture and sustain our democracy.” It said. The Nigeria Guild of Editors warns NBC to stop the harassment of broadcast stations but ensure resolution of trivial matters through dialogue “
Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) has established six committees to help strengthen and modernize the country’s broadcasting industry.
The committees will focus on content creation, skills development, digital transformation, sustainability, policy and commercial opportunities
The initiative aims to support industry growth and improve collaboration between broadcasters, regulators and media experts
The official launch recently, was led by Tony Akiotu, president, BON and attended by media professionals, program directors, former journalists and heads of specialized media organizations.
The event brought together several prominent figures in Nigeria’s media industry, including veteran broadcaster and trainer Bimbo Oloyede, Tony Uyah of M4S TV, Kingsley Uranta of Channels Television, Ismael Sani of Platinum TV and Ibrahim Shehu of Trust TV.
Together, they are expected to help drive innovation and support the growth of Nigeria’s broadcasting sector.
According to Akiotu, the committees are intended both to help shape industry policy and to provide a forum for dialogue between BON and broadcasting experts.
Akiotu said the ad hoc committees were intended to strengthen BON’s work and ensure that the umbrella body for Nigeria’s broadcasters played a more direct and meaningful role in developing the country’s broadcasting sector.
The six committees reflect the sector’s main priorities. The first focuses on collaboration and innovation to promote content creation.
The second is dedicated to training and talent development, while the third focuses on industry sustainability by improving the sector’s long-term financial viability.
A fourth committee will focus on digital transformation and work with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on regulatory issues.
The remaining two committees will oversee public policy advocacy and the development of sports and commercial rights to help broadcasters increase revenue and attract more investment. Together, the committees are expected to guide BON’s efforts to modernize and strengthen Nigeria’s broadcasting industry.
The committees, chaired by members of BON’s General Assembly and supported by the organization’s Secretariat, have an initial 12-month mandate that may be renewed if necessary.
They are required to submit a progress report within three months and implement approved recommendations within the following six months.
The arrangement is intended to ensure close oversight and the timely implementation of their work.
Akiotu also reminded committee members that Nigeria pioneered television broadcasting in Africa and urged them to carry out their work with greater effectiveness and efficiency.
Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) says it is investigating about 34 tertiary institutions over allegations that they failed to refund students whose tuition fees were paid twice under the Federal Government’s student loan scheme.
The Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, disclosed this during an interview on Arise Television.
Sawyerr said the agency had deployed a five-member investigative team, including operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and internal auditors, to examine the allegations.
According to him, the investigation was prompted by numerous complaints received from affected students.
“As of right now, there are 34 institutions that we are looking at closely with respect to this issue,” he said.
Sawyerr explained that the double payment issue arose because President Bola Tinubu directed that the student loan scheme commence in the middle of an academic session instead of at the beginning.
He said the decision compelled many students to pay their tuition fees to meet registration deadlines while awaiting approval of their loan applications.
“What happened is that a lot of schools got double payment; some from the students and some from us,” he said.
“The refund process is entirely out of our hands. It is the recipient of the double payments that is obliged to make refunds to the students.”
The NELFUND boss noted that many students had borrowed money from family members, friends and other sources to pay their tuition with the expectation of receiving refunds once the loans were disbursed.
He said while some institutions had promptly refunded affected students, others had failed to do so.
“Some have been very good at this. Others haven’t been so good at it,” Sawyerr said.
“I reserve judgement on the intentionality around it because, for some of them, they just didn’t have the process to make refunds.”
Sawyerr disclosed that NELFUND was exploring a tokenised payment system that would enable students to authorise tuition payments directly to their institutions, thereby reducing the likelihood of duplicate payments.
He said the agency deliberately chose not to disburse tuition loans directly to students to minimise the risk of fund diversion.
“Paying the funds to the students could really lead to the temptation for them to divert and do other things,” he said.
The managing director, however, acknowledged that NELFUND lacked the statutory powers to compel institutions to refund students or prosecute officials found culpable.
He added that many frustrated students had submitted complaints not only to NELFUND but also to anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Sawyerr also expressed concern over increases in tuition fees by some institutions following the introduction of the student loan scheme.
He said NELFUND had declined to pay institutions that increased their tuition fees beyond acceptable levels.
“Some schools, because they get paid easily, started to put up their fees. We refused, point blank, to pay institutions who had hiked their fees beyond a certain level,” he said.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to investigating every reported irregularity and strengthening the implementation of the student loan programme through continuous monitoring and internal reviews.
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