Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams,has condemned the Federal government’s action on the suspension of Licence of Daar communications PLC Limited, Owners of African Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power.
Director – General of NBC, Modibbo Kawu, yesterday, announced the closure of the communication giant, explaining that the action was taken because of the failure of the stations to abide by the 2004 broadcasting code,following persistent warning to the company to abide by the rule.
Kawu, however, said the action had no political undertone.
Reacting to the move, Adams in a statement, signed by his special assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, said the action was a ploy to cow the press, saying the present government had, since inception, enjoyed good and balance reportage.
“It is sad that the federal government is loosing its popularity, especially, with the recent withdrawal of Daar communications Licence”
“As far as I am concerned, I think the federal government is taking things too far. Whatever the case, there are ways to handle issues of libel and other things in a democratic setting” .
“The Nigeria media has never had it so bad since 1999 when democracy began. So, I think the federal government must retrace its step and give peace a chance.The issue between the NBC and Daar communications is a sad reminder of the Abacha regime.”
For instance, all over the world, the media enjoys good leverage as the fourth estate of the realm, therefore, any attack on the media is an attack on the mass of the people, because the media is the voice of the people.
Adams,however,urged the National Broadcasting Commission(NBC), to handle the case maturely saying the action will definitely increase the numbers of the growing unemployment rate in the country.
“There are procedures for action against libel, for instance, the print media, has been struggling to survive the harsh economy, and Daar communications is one of the vibrant platform that Nigerians can look up to in the industry, therefore, the The NBC must do the needful and listen to the cries of the mass of the people”,Adams said.
