February 03, (THEWILL) – The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has imposed a N5 million fine on an Abuja-based radio station, Vision FM, for discussing the controversial extension of the appointment of the National Intelligence Agency’s Director-General, Rufai Abubakar.
The commission also suspended ‘Idon Mikiya’, a current affairs programme by the station (where the discussion was reportedly aired on January 5) for six months, starting from January 28, 2022.
In a letter addressed to Vision FM’s Managing Director on Wednesday, the NBC claimed it sanctioned the broadcasting outfit for airing content harmful to the country’s national security in one of its programmes, ‘Idon Mikiya’ on January 5, 2022.
It claimed that transmitting trade secrets and other issues regarding a national security agency was an act prejudicial to Nigeria’s national security.
NBC pointed out that the station breached section 39 (3) (b) of the 1999 constitution that imposed restrictions on issues relating to government security services or agencies.
“Your discussion of issues, including appointments of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) constitutes a breach of the provision of section 39 (3) (b) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which imposes restrictions on matters concerning government security services or agencies established by law.
“Transmitting the trade secrets or other issues regarding a national security agency amounts to an act prejudicial to national security contrary to the above section cited.
“Recall that the commission has invited the management of Vision FM severally bothering on issues of balance, fairness and presenter bearing opinion, which are violations of the following sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code,” NBC stated.
