NBC suspends Ahmed Isah radio licence for 30 days

National Broadcasting Commission has suspended the licence of Ahmad Isah’s Human Rights Radio over alleged unprofessional conduct.

It said on Thursday that the suspension was for 30 days, with effect from May 31.

The embattled activist was seen slapping a lady in a BBC Africa Eye documentary. The lady, who appeared on Isah’s programme, was accused of setting her brother’s daughter on fire.

The video went viral and it immediately generated negative reactions on social media, with Isah receiving a lot of bashing.

Although the ‘ordinary president’ as he is popularly called has apologised for his action, the NBC said it summoned him to explain the circumstances behind the incident.

In a statement on Thursday, the NBC said it met with the Brekete Family show host on May 26, and “has reviewed the events and notes unreserved apologies and regrets expressed by the broadcaster.”

The commission said the action was in clear violation of the broadcasting code and a betrayal of confidence the people and the government reposed in him.

Although the NBC acknowledged that the radio station had tuned its programming to the yearnings of the people, it stated that the station had been repeatedly warned and fined over abuse of ethics over the years.

“It is important to state that the commission has, over the years, advised, cautioned, warned, and fined the station over repeated cases of outright abuse, denigrating remarks, intimidation, and flagrant abuse of ethics of the fairness, balance, fair hearing on the station,” it stated.

It also said, “It is on record that the commission had conducted several training and retraining programmes for the station and the host of the Brekete Family programme especially.

“The commission has therefore in line with the sanction provisions in 15.5.2 of the broadcasting code ordered the suspension of licence of the broadcaster, until the broadcaster commits to ethical and professional broadcasting. The suspension order is effective from Monday the 31st of May 2021, at 12am.

“The order shall last 30 days during which it is expected that the broadcaster will put its house in order and attune itself to responsive, professional, and responsible broadcasting.

“It shall also pay a recommencement fee of as provided for in section 15.5.1 of the broadcasting code at the end of the suspension period.”