The Federal Government has threatened to show a “red card” to broadcast stations in the country for alleged breach of broadcast ethics.
Minister of information and culture Lai Mohammed stated this on Wednesday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Sal Island, Cape Verde.
The minister is in Cape Verde for the 64th conference of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Commission for Africa and the second edition of the UNWTO Global Tourism Investment Forum.
Channels TV was recently issued a query by the National Broadcasting Commission over an interview where Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom attacked President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mohammed said any station that violates the broadcast code and ethics would be “shown the red card”.
He continued, “We agree that there are challenges but the government is doing its best in addressing insecurity, banditry, insurrections, and fixing the economy.
“What one expected from these leaders at this trying period is support and encouragement.
“It is, however, quite disturbing that they have thrown caution to the winds and it is no longer about leadership and maturity but about who can say something that can break this country.
“Certain words that we were afraid of using before such as genocide and ethnic cleansing, are now taking over the media waves.
“That is why it is important to call everybody to order to appeal to their sense of patriotism that they should understand that because there is a country called Nigeria that is why they are leaders.
“If what they are praying for happens, they will no longer be leaders but servants in other countries.”
