#EndSARS Fines: BON Seeks Fairness For AIT, Channels, Arise TV

BY COBHAM NSA, ABUJA – The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) has appealed to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to withdraw the sanctions imposed on AIT, Channels TV and Arise TV for alleged inappropriate reportage of the #EndSARS protests.

It said for equity and justice, the Commission should officially query each of the Stations involved and also give them a stipulated period to formally respond before any sanction could be applied.

In a statement titled: “DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL OF SANCTIONS ON BROADCAST MEDIA STATIONS”, BON said; “We kindly request that the Sanctions on AIT, Channels TV and Arise TV be withdrawn immediately pending on the formal responses by the Stations.”

The statement signed by BON Chairman, Sa’a Ibrahim further urged the “NBC to be more flexible in its application of sanctions in this crisis period.”

Below is the full statement issued by BON

“DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL OF SANCTIONS ON BROADCAST MEDIA STATIONS

“The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) is again saddened at the recent sanction on Africa Independent Television (AIT), Channels TV and Arise TV that was announced by the National Broadcasting Commission on Monday, October 26, 2020 during a press conference Abuja over unprofessional #EndSARS Broadcast.

“As citizens, public and private entities in a Democratic system of Government like Nigeria, it is believed that applications of laws have its procedures and steps before reaching a final conclusion where the laws takes its cost.

“BON wishes to call on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), to issue a formal query to each of the Stations involved and give stipulated period to formally respond before taking the application of sanction laws.

“Therefore, we kindly request that the Sanctions on AIT, Channels TV and Arise TV be withdrawn immediately pending on the formal responses by the Stations.

“BON also appeal to NBC to be more flexible in its application of sanctions in this crisis period.

“We strongly believe in Democracy where citizens and entities are given fair hearing.

“Justice, Peace and Unity is always the way forward.”

SA’A IBRAHIM
Chairman
for: Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria.