On Friday 19 August, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) announced the suspension of 53 radio and television channels in Nigeria. This decision has provoked strong reactions in the country where two organisations filed a complaint on Wednesday 24 August against President Muhammadu Buhari, aiming to prevent them from closing these radio stations and channels.ines television channels concerned.
In Nigeria, in Buhari’s country, a total of 53 radio and television channels could be suspended in the coming days. The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has announced that these TV and radio channels have not paid their licence fees. This decision provoked strong reactions from both trade unions and organisations. For them This order is “ill-advised” and “unacceptable”. They also denounce the “lack of transparency” of the authorities. However, for the president of the national audiovisual commission, this decree has nothing to do with politics.
What is the reason of the closure of the radio and television channels?
For the executive, the debt of the radio and television channels amounts to six million euros, and the deadline given to them was 24 hours to comply or risk being banned from broadcasting.
Despite this ultimatum from the chairman of the National Broadcasting Commission, two organisations went to court on Wednesday to show that such action is an impediment to freedom of expression and information for Nigerians.
On the other hand, these reactions caught the attention of the authorities, who allowed the channels to continue their work while giving them more time to comply.
Thierry Hounye(stag)
