The Nigerian Guild of Editors condemns in strong terms the threat issued to Channels Television by the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, over an interview with the spokesperson of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Emmanuel Powerful.
Powerful had featured on Channels programme, Politics Today on Sunday April 25, 2021, during which allegedly made inciting statements.
The NBC, in the letter, ordered the immediate suspension of the programme.
The Guild would not stand by and watch while regulatory agencies in the country threaten media houses and their operations.
The body of Editors reiterates that Press Freedom is threatened when media houses are made to operate in an atmosphere of fear.
The Guild stands with Channels Television and will go to any length to defend Press Freedom in Nigeria.
The body of editors views the NBC letter to Channels Television as double standards, because stations that aired Sheikh Gumi’s parley with terrorists in their camps, were not sanctioned by the commission.
The NBC should jettison the N5m fines on Channels Television and the practice of issuing threats to broadcasting stations over matters that could easily be resolved through dialogue.
Democracy will be meaningless in Nigeria if Press Freedom is eroded.