The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has ordered the suspension of license of Mr. Ahmed Isah, owner and popular host of Brekete family programme on the Human Rights Radio.
NBC in a statement by its Management, said it suspended Isah in line with the sanction provisions in 15.5.2 of the Broadcasting Code, until the Broadcaster commits to ethical and professional broadcasting.
The Suspension Order is effective Monday the 31st of May 2021, at 12.00am, the Commission said, adding that the Order will last 30 days during which it is expected that the broadcaster will put its house in order and attune itself to responsive, professional and responsible broadcasting.
The statement partly read, “The National Broadcasting Commission met with Mr. Ahmed Isah, owner and popular host of the Brekete family programme on the Human Rights Radio on Tuesday 26th of May, 2021.
“The meeting afforded Mr. lsah opportunity to explain the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident at his radio station where rather than promote human rights and human dignity a citizen who was invited to the programme was physically assaulted by the broadcaster.
“The National Broadcasting Commission has reviewed the events and notes the unreserved apologies and regrets expressed by the broadcaster.
“The Commission states, however, that the action of the Broadcaster is in clear violation of the Broadcasting Code and a betrayal of the confidence reposed on him by the people and Government of Nigeria on whose behalf he holds the radio license in trust”.
The NBC further disclosed that “Section 0.1.1.2.1 of the Broadcasting Code provides in the Social Objectives of Broadcasting that Broadcasting shall – “promote generally accepted social values and norms, especially civic and social responsibilities; and encourage respect for the dignity of man”.
“It also provides that Broadcasting organizations shall recognize that they exercise freedom of expression as agents of society, not for any personal or sectional rights, privileges and needs of their own or of their proprietors, relatives, friends or supporters”.
The Commission explained that it has over the years, advised, cautioned, warned and fined the station over repeated cases of outright abuse, denigrating remarks, intimidation and flagrant abuse of ethics of fairness, balance and fair hearing on the station.
It added that it is also on record that the Commission had conducted several training and retraining programmes for the station and the host of the Brekete family programme especially. The NBC noted also that the Broadcaster willI also pay a recommencement fee of as provided for in section 15.5.1 of the Broadcasting Code at the end of the suspension period.
The NBC appreciated the popularity of the station and the fact that it has in many cases tuned its programming to the yearnings of the people, noting, however, that it has a sacred duty to promote decency, professionalism and respect for the dignity of all citizens by all Broadcasters in Nigeria.
