The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, had fined Nigeria Info FM, the sum of five million Naira, for what it termed gross violation of the revised Nigeria broadcasting code.
In a statement issued recently in Abuja, the NBC said that the sanction was in respect of comments made by a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Obadiah Malafia, on the southern Kaduna crisis, during an interview on the station.
The NBC said that the unverifiable comments by the guest on the radio station were capable of inciting crime and public disorder.
There have however been lots of reactions on Twitter, condemning the actions of National Broadcasting Commission(NBC).
A Twitter user Tope Akiyode said “Nigeria’s government that doesn’t obey court orders fine Nigeria Info N5m, over comments made by Mailafia. This regime’s desperate attempt to gag press freedom must be resisted”
BREAKING: Nigeria's government that doesn't obey Court Orders fine Nigeria Info N5m over comments made by Mailafia.
— Tope Akinyode (@TopeAkinyode) August 13, 2020
Government also threatened to shut down broadcast stations.
This regime's desperate attempt to gag press freedom must be resisted!
Another user, Tunde Arogunmati said, “Why is this arbitrary fine being imposed? There is no misdemeanor established.
In the same vein, a Twitter user Okey said ” Mailafia opened a can of worms early last week, but what NBC could do is to fine Nigeria Info. Let security agencies investigate and validate or quash his claims”.
NBC hammer falls on Nigeria Info over Mailafia’s interview https://t.co/bx67EFEkJL
— Okey (@Okey_Ugwu1) August 13, 2020
Mailafia opened can of worms early last week, but what NBC could do is to fine Nigeria info. Let security agencies investigate and validate or quash his claims. NBC una dey mad
Another user Emeka had said “NBC fine Nigeria Info N5million for airing their views. This is so unfair. Injustice is painful. Now people will be scared to speak up. This is not the Nigeria we wanted”.
NBC fine nigeria info 5million naira for airing their views. This is so unfair. Injustice is painful. Now people will be scared to speak up. This is not the Nigeria we wanted. #FreedomofExpression #freedomofspeach
— Emeka (@emekauwadinma) August 13, 2020
Also Ayemojubar is a tweet said ” They want citizens to respect elders, but why would Lai Mohammed and NBC fine Nigeria Info FM N5m because they granted Obadiah Mailafia an interview”.
They want citizens to respect them as elders but why would Lai Mohammed and NBC fine NigeriaInfo FM N5m because they granted Obadiah Mailaifa an interview.
— AyeMojubar (@ayemojubar) August 13, 2020
See the consequence of giving power to wicked souls.
