The Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), says the decision of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to sanction media firms on their style of coverage towards the #EndSARS protest has revealed the country’s anti-democratic tendencies.
Recall that NBC had earlier fined Channels TV, Arise TV, and AIT over their style of coverage on the #EndSARS protest which they termed as “unprofessional coverage.” National President of the NUJ, Chris Isiguzo,
in a press statement titled “Unending assault on the Media”, said the decision of the broadcasting commission can only revive memories of the military era.
He reminded the commission that the media amidst through the happenings has been the middleman between the protesters and the government, adding that,
“the media, despite all its perceived shortcomings remains the most viable tool for good governance and democracy and should be jealously guarded and protected.” Isiguzo, therefore,
“call for an end to this open contempt and disrespect for the Media by NBC and noted that the fines imposed on the media houses is unnecessary, discriminatory, an attempt to discourage a free, independent media, and should be withdrawn immediately.”
(C) Control TV 2020.
