Withdraw fines on Trust TV, coalition tells FG

The Coalition of Whistle-blowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) Thursday urged the federal government to withdraw the N5m sanctions it levied on four media organisations over broadcasting documentaries on banditry.

In a statement, the coalition condemned the sanction by the National Broadcasting Commission on Multichoice Nigeria Limited, owners of DSTV, TelCom Satellite Limited (TSTV); NTA- Startimes Limited and Trust TV for broadcasting the documentary by the BBC AFRICA EYE titled, ‘Bandits Warlords Of Zamfara’.

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CWPPF described the fines as baseless and authoritarian moves to stifle the press.

‘This continuous impunity emboldens the perpetrators of the crimes and at the same time has an undesirable discouraging effect and obstructs journalists and their work. However, Nigerian journalists have remained dogged in exposing corruption, irregularity and security that has affected millions of Nigerians. This kind of unwarranted sanctions against journalists impede the free flow of information.

“CWPPF, therefore, condemns these sanctions in its entirety and calls on the NBC to withdraw it without delay. We shall continue to oppose all forms of attacks on human rights and press freedom in Nigeria and across the world and hold the government, individuals and organizations accountable.”