Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has condemned the suspension of the licences of DAAR Communications Plc., parent company of African Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power FM.
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Director-General, Modibbo Kawu, announcing the suspension on Thursday, said the action was taken for failure of the broadcasting station to abide by the broadcasting code.
In a statement on Friday signed by the Guild’s President Funke Egbemode, the editors appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to call the NBC to order to revoke the suspension.
NGE said the suspension order runs contrary to the ideals of free speech and tenets of press freedom.
“The Fourth Estate of the Realm remains the watchdog of society and any attempt to gag it in any guise is an affront on democracy and the people.
“The Guild is concerned about the violation of the constitutional rights of DAAR Communications and absence of media freedom in performing their roles as the watchdog of the Nigerian society.
“The Guild is strongly of the opinion that the NBC, in exercising its regulatory powers, should concentrate on implementing policies that will position Nigeria’s broadcasting to compete in the global spheres.
“It is to be recalled that NBC had, before the 2019 general elections, shut down Joy FM in Jos for violations of the broadcasting code.
“In 2018, the NBC shut down Ekiti Radio/TV station. Shutting down stations and withdrawing licences are too extreme in the circumstance.
“There must be humane and saner ways to resolve disputes bordering on violation of the Broadcasting Code, rather than engage in witch-hunting and unnecessary show of excessive force,” the statement said.
The Guild urged staff and management of DAAR Communication to remain calm, promising that justice would prevail.
