NBC applies the hammer, fines and suspends Channels TV for interviewing IPOB

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has suspended Channels Television and imposed a hefty fine of N5 million.

The broadcast regulator accused the company of breaching the Broadcast Code in a letter it purportedly issued over the station’s interview with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a secessionist group.

According to the NBC, the Channels 7 pm live broadcast programme of Sunday, 25th April 2021 allowed IPOB to make inciting declarations on air without caution or reprimand by the station contrary to the Broadcast Code.

However, source at Channels say the ban only affects its terrestrial operations Channel, which is licensed as a community station, is still operating on the PayTV network, DSTV.