NBC QUERIES CHANNELS TV OVER ‘INCITING, DIVISIVE AND UNFAIR COMMENTS’ DURING GOVERNOR ORTOM’S INTERVIEW
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has queried the management of Channels Television over comments made by Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, on the station’s breakfast show, ‘Sunrise Daily’, on Tuesday.
In a letter titled; ‘Notice of Infraction’, dated August 24, 2021, and sighted by Eons Intelligence, the NBC described Governor Ortom’s comments as “inciting, divisive and unfair.”
The NBC said the programme, which had Governor Ortom as a guest, was observed to contain “inciting, divisive and unfair comments which were not thoroughly interrogated by the anchors.”
It noted that the actions of television station negated Sections 1.10.4, 3.1.1, 3.3.1(b), 3.3.1(e), 3.11.1(a), and 3.12.2 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, and urged Channels TV to explain why it should not be sanctioned for breaching Nigeria’s Broadcasting Code.
The letter reads in part: “The National Broadcasting Commission monitored the broadcast of your programme Sunrise Daily between 7 am and 9 am on Tuesday August 24, 2021.
“The programme which had as guest the executive governor of Benue State, Governor Samuel Ortom was observed to contain inciting, divisive and unfair comments which were not thoroughly interrogated by the anchors.
“These negate the following provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code: Section 1.10.4: The Broadcaster shall ensure that its Presenter…..shall handle it with professionalism and sound judgment to ensure that it does not lose focus or lead to unfair treatment or institution.
“Section 3.1.1: No broadcast shall encourage or incite to crime, lead to public disorder or hate, be repugnant to public feelings or contain offensive reference or organization alive or dead.
“Section 3.3.1(b): The broadcaster shall ensure that all sides to any issue of public interest are equitably presented for fairness and balance.
“Section 3.3.1(e): The broadcaster shall not treat any individual or organization in an unjust or unfair manner.
“Section 3.11.1(a): The broadcaster shall ensure that language likely to encourage or incite to crime or lead to disorder is not broadcast.”
Read Also: NBC SUSPENDS HUMAN RIGHTS RADIO
Follow us on Twitter and get exclusive news as it breaks
Comments