The Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Thursday announced the suspension of the license of Daar Communications, owners of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power FM.
This is coming less than 12 hours after the founding Executive Chairman of DAAR Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi told journalists at DAAR headquarters in Abuja that the NBC Director General, Mr Modibbo Kawu, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is witch-hunting the AIT for broadcasting issues of national interest which it (NBC) said are unacceptable.
Dokpesi said the NBC has been battling to tamper with its press freedom in line with the APC-led government plan to move against media houses that are defending press freedom.
But in dismissing Dokpesi’s claims, the NBC said its withdrawal of the operating license of DAAR Communications is due to failure by the media outfit to abide by the Commission’s directives and Code, particularly NBC Act Cap N11 laws of the federation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Broadcasting Code.
It therefore said the shutdown order will be in force until further notice.
The NBC further said in a statement that broadcast of the AIT station is patently partisan; one sided; deliberately inciting; and over-heating the polity.
However, critics have raised alarm that the NBC’s decision is considered a new vista in the attempt by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government to gag the media, thereby raising serious concerns over worsening press freedom in Nigeria.
