President of the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), Nduka Obaigbena, has said that the faceoff between DAAR Communications Plc and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has been resolved.
NPO comprises the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
In a statement on Monday, Mr Obaigbena, who is also chairman and editor-in-chief of ThisDay newspaper, said NPO “convened a meeting of all parties to resolve the issues in the national interest.”
Obaigbena said the meeting was held on Sunday night and had key stakeholders in attendance.
Some of those who attended were Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NBC, Ishaq Modibbo-Kawu; Founder and Chairman Emeritus of DAAR Communications, Raymond Dokpesi, among others.
After an exhaustive dialogue, Obaigbena said that parties resolved to do the following:
“DAAR Communications Plc. will work out a new realistic payment plan with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and ensure prompt payments in accordance with the new plan.
“DAAR Communications Plc. will appoint an Ombudsman to ensure balance in its news coverage especially political commentary; it will also take full editorial responsibility for the use of content sourced from social media outlets.
“Following this NPO statement, the NBC will immediately lift the suspension of the broadcast license of DAAR Communications Plc.
“DAAR Communications Plc. will withdraw its case in court, against the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
“All parties will take necessary steps to work together to build confidence in the public interest.”
