We didn’t sanction Channels TV, says NBC

The National Broadcasting Commission says it never sanctioned Channels Television over its infraction of the broadcasting code when it interviewed a secessionist leader.

It said the TV station was only asked to explain why it violated the broadcasting code.

NBC’s Director of Public Affairs Mrs Franca Aiyetan said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, adding that Channels TV had apologised.

He said the commission’s letter to the TV station was a regulatory instrument to check the excesses of the station.

She said the intent of the letter was neither to close down nor sanction the station, rather it was meant to draw the station’s attention to its breach of the broadcasting code, adding that “the station has accordingly apologised’’.

According to her, the letter asked Channels TV to explain why it gave credence to an organisation that was already proscribed by the Federal Government.

She said, “It was actually not for public consumption; it was not a press release. It was a regulatory instrument to check the excesses of the station.

“It is a station that won an award but we say in this particular situation, you did not handle it professionally.

“It is possible to breach the public peace and that was what the letter conveyed to Channels TV, to which the TV station has responded, saying we apologise, we did wrong.

“When the media started asking me about Channels TV, I had to go and find out what letter we had issued out because if it is a press release or something that is for public consumption, it will come to the Public Affairs Department of NBC.

“And I will be able to communicate to the media about it, but this letter that went to Channels TV is our way of regulating the broadcasting industry.

“It is called a bridge letter to the station to say in this particular programme you did not act professionally; you did not do it in line with the provision of Nigeria Broadcasting Code.”