Rescind N5m fine on Trust TV, Northern Broadcast Media Owners tell NBC 

More condemnation has trailed the N5 million fine that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) imposed on Trust Television Network, an arm of the Media Trust Group.

The Northern Broadcast Media Owners Association (NBMOA) in a statement expressed “deep concern” over the fine which it described as “punitive.”

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Daily Trust reports that since the NBC imposed the fine over the broadcast of a documentary exposing bandits, condemnations have trailed the decision.

In a statement by its Acting Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Yelwa, the NBMOA called on the NBC to rescind the decision, saying the fine was “not only arbitrary, but also a gross violation of press freedom and the rule of law.”

It noted that the documentary in question “is globally adjudged to be balanced, fair and ethical, even though the NBC deemed it to have glorified banditry and breached national security.”

The statement read: “Whereas it’s not the intention of Northern Broadcast Media Owners Association, NBMOA, to join issues with the NBC, we humble wish to state that any objective review of the programme would acknowledge the depth, ingenuity, patriotism and professionalism of its producers.

“Security challenges currently confronting the nation, require a new thinking and strategy.  This, we believe, was what the producers of the programme attempted to do.

“It’s our conviction that at this point of our state of national affair, we must not shy away from discussing knotty national issues frankly, sincerely and comprehensively.

“We wish to therefore call on the NBC to rescind the decision to impose fine on the station. This will open opportunities for nurturing  cooperation  and  synergy  between  the  media  and  the government. NMBOA  believes  that  the  many  positive  takeaways  from  the programme,  if  property  harnessed  by  all  concerned,  would  go  a  long way  in  aiding  our  understanding  of  the  ecosystem  of  banditry  in Nigeria.

“Already,  broadcast  stations  in  the  country  have  been  in  the forefront  of  the  war  against  banditry  and  terrorism  in  the  country. We  have  consistently  engaged  in  the  search  for  solutions  and  have brought  to  the  fore  the  destitution  and  predicament  of  victims,  as well  as  the  gallantry  of  our  troop.

“We  therefore  call  on  the  government  to  reciprocate  our  patriotic efforts  by  extending  a  hand  of  friendship  to  the  media  to  ensure unity  of  purpose  and  harmony  at  these  trying  times  of  our  national life. While  anticipating  your  prompt  response  to  our  call,  please  remain assured  of  the  highest  regard  of  our  organization.”