Abuja – The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has described as hasty and ill advised the decision by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to revoke the licenses of 52 broadcast stations over their inability to renew their licenses.
Chris Isiguzo, National President of the NUJ made the condemnation in a statement in Abuja on Friday.
The Director-General of NBC, Malam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah had while defending the decision claimed that it had no political motives.
He explained that the affected stations were owing arrears of licence fees amounting to N2.6 billon since 2015, hence the decision to close them down.
Notable among the affected stations are Silverbird TV, AIT, Raypower FM, and Rhythm FM amongst others .
However, Iziguso, insisted that the action was ill timed and reckless.
“It should be noted that this wholesale revocation of licences at this critical time of insecurity in the Country appears to be a decision taken without careful prior deliberation, consultation or counsel.
“While we regret the inability of these broadcast stations to fulfill their obligations to NBC, in-view of dwindling resources, we caution against such large scale clampdown of broadcast stations in disregard to security issues and the attendant consequence.
“We cannot afford the unpleasant outcome of such media blackout at this time.
“We call on NBC to exercise more restraint on this issue in consideration of national security and allow for more dialogue and consultation to find a better way of dealing with the situation,” Isiguzo said in the statement personally signed by him.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) had in a statement in Abuja on Friday announced the revocation if the operating licenses of the television and radio stations spread across the country.
The NBC said the move followed the publication of a list of stations yet to renew their licences.
According to the Commission, a two-week waiver was given to them in May to do so after which they risked the revocation of their broadcast licences.
“But three months after the publication, some licensees are yet to pay their outstanding debts, in contravention of the National Broadcasting Commission Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, particularly section 10(a) of the third schedule of the Act.
“Therefore, after due consideration, NBC hereby announces the revocation of the licenses of the…stations and gives them 24 hours to shut down their operations.
“Our offices nationwide are hereby directed to collaborate with security agencies to ensure immediate compliance.
“The broadcast regulator said the continued operation of the debtor stations is illegal and constitutes a threat to national security,” NB C said.
It called on other broadcast stations yet to renew their licences for the present duration to do so within the next 30 days to avoid sanctions. (vitalnewsngr.com)
