The suspension of Channels TV by NBC has been condemned by many Nigerians and SERAP has threatened to sue the regulatory body.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) reportedly suspended Channels TV over an interview the station held with the spokesperson of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Reacting, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) threatened to sue NBC if it fails to reverse the “illegal” decision within the next 48 hours.
SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said in a statement on Monday, April 26, “This action by the government and NBC is yet another example of Nigerian authorities’ push to silence independent media and voices. The government and NBC lift the suspension and uphold the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and international obligations to respect and protect freedom of expression and media freedom. 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 suspension of Channels Television is detrimental to media freedom, and access to information, and the Federal Government and NBC must immediately reverse the decision. President Muhammadu Buhari should caution NBC to stop intimidating and harassing independent media houses and to respect the Nigerian Constitution, 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”.