The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) condemns in strong terms the resort to extreme measures in withdrawing the broadcast license of African Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power Radio Network by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The heavy-handed action of the NBC over allegations of breaches of the broadcasting code by AIT and RayPower raises strong concerns about press freedom, media plurality and the democratic rights of citizens to hold and receive information as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and several other domestic and global statutes to which Nigeria is a signatory.
The CWPPF is alarmed at this act of indiscretion by the NBC and considers it an unacceptable aberration to Nigeria’s democratic tenets and practice. The coalition believes that this move portends grave danger for free press and the independence of the media in the country and thus demands of the NBC to reinstate the said broadcast license forthwith.
The press, as the fourth estate of the realm, is the bulwark of democracy in Nigeria and any move to abridge this constitutional responsibility to disseminate information, ensure transparency in public conduct and hold government to account will be resisted by all legitimate means possible.
The Coalition believes there are amicable ways of addressing the alleged infractions instead of constricting the space for media plurality and press freedom.
SIGNED
Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom
- Paradigm Initiative
- African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)
- International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR)
- Media Rights Agenda (MRA)
- Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)
- Premium Times
- Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ)
- Order Paper NG
- International Press Centre (IPC)
- Daily Trust Newspaper
- Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC)
- The Cable Newspaper Journalism Foundation
- Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ)
- Civic Media Lab
- Sahara Reporters
- Premium Times Center for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ)
