The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has extended the withdrawal notice given to the 52 broadcast stations to renew their operating licenses by three (3) days, following the intervention of the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute, (IPI).
IPI Nigeria President, Musikilu Mojeed, in a statement, Saturday, disclosed the new development. According to him, “We are glad to report that the Director General of NBC, Malam Balarabe Shehu Ilela, has graciously agreed to grant an extension on compassionate ground.
“Even though this is a temporary relief, we are hopeful that all parties will engage in the next few days with a view to arriving at a lasting resolution of the matter. We thank the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Mallam Illela for listening to us and allowing a window for dialogue.
“During our engagement with the Commission, the NBC explained that the commission had in the past granted several concessions to broadcast organisations, including writing off substantial parts of their debts and engaging them consistently to fulfill their financial obligations to the regulator.
“We implore the affected broadcasting organisations to take advantage of this window of opportunity by reaching out to the NBC.
“Nobody benefits when broadcasting stations are shut down. Members of the public have come to rely on these stations to know what their governments are doing to keep them safe in this challenging security environment. Other governments’ policies are also disseminated to the public through these channels.
“In view of the nation’s economic downturn, we further appeal to the affected broadcast stations and the NBC to agree a workable payment arrangement of the outstanding dues.”
Recall The New Diplomat reported that on Friday, NBC revoked the licenses of African Independent Television (AIT), Silverbird Television (STV), and 50 other television and radio stations over mounting debt.
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) had said the development will increase the risk of fake news consumption.
Professional bodies like the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) also faulted the decision of NBC to revoke the licenses of 52 broadcast stations, describing it as hasty and ill-timed.
