Amnesty International Condemns NBC’s ‘Final Warning’ to Arise TV

Olawale Ajimotokan

Amnesty International has flayed the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for issuing a ‘final warning’ to Arise TV on the alleged violation of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

In the condemnation it posted on X, Amnesty International warned that targeting Arise TV for simply doing its work would send a wrong message that the Nigerian authorities were not prepared to be held accountable.

“Nigerian authorities must stop the unrelenting quest to silence media organisations like Arise TV which are crucial to ensuring independent and diverse media space in the country and fulfilling people’s right to information,” Amnesty International said.

It warned that using regulations as a way to silence independent journalism was completely unacceptable, adding the media in Nigeria should be free to exercise their right to freedom of expression as protected by international law.

NBC DG, Director-General of NBC, Balarabe llelah, had on Saturday, in a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of Arise Global Limited, issued what it called “finalnwarning” to the network alleging the station was broadcasting incendiary remarks, in violation of Broadcasting Code.