The Director General of the National Broadcasting Comission (NBC), Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa, Friday announced the lifting of the suspension of the licence of the embattled Channels Television.
Channels television had its operating licence suspended following a controversial news item which alleged that President Umar Musa Yar’Adua would resign after reschuffling his cabinet.
That story allegedly emanated from the federal-government owned News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Bolarinwa said that the NBC had conducted investigations into the immediate and remote causes of the breach and was satisfied with its findings.
According to him, “Channels Television caused to be broadcast, an unwholesome news item which could have been detrimental to national interest and lead or likely to lead to a breakdown of law and order in the country contrary to the provisions of the National Broadcasting Act and Nigeria Broadcasting Code to which Channels Television has accepted responsibility and tendered an apology.
“Consequently, the National Broadcasting Commission, in consonance with the provisions of paragraph 13.5.1.1 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and without prejudice to the duties of security services to carry out their ongoing investigations to a logical conclusion hereby lifts the suspension order and directs Channels Television to put in place effective mechanisms to confirm news items and sources before broadcast.
“The National Broadcasting Commission is also working with Security Agencies to ensure that all journalists detained in connection with the false report about the President are released.”
NBC Wednesday suspended the Operational Broadcast Licence of Channels Television in all locations in Nigeria due to what it called “the station’s breach of provisions of the National Broadcasting Commission Act. No. 38 of 1992 (as amended) and the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.” Panapress.
