The Peoples Democratic Party has condemned Nigeria’s broadcast regulatory body, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over its recent sanction on Channels Television.

The news of the sanction sparked outrage on social media last night when the NBC slapped the television station with a fine of N5 million for allegedly breaching the broadcast code through its interview with Emma Powerful, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In a letter addressed to the station by the NBC’s Acting Director-General of the Commission, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, NBC accused the Channels of allowing the IPOB leader to make secessionist and inciting declarations on air without caution or reprimand contrary to the broadcast code during its Channels 7pm live broadcast programme of Sunday, 25th April 2021.

However, in a statement released on Monday night, titled, ‘NBC Fine Against Channels Is Draconian,’ the PDP urged the NBC to review the punitive measure on the media house.

The statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan read: “The PDP describes the reported suspension and fine of N5m slammed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on @channelstv over alleged violation of broadcasting code, as draconian.

“The PDP stresses that, without prejudice to the issues raised against @ChannelsTv, the reported hasty clamp down, without the benefit of caution, is suggestive of intolerance and high-handedness by the regulatory body.

“Our party is worried that such disposition could be counter-productive and heighten the already tensed situation in our nation at this critical time.

“The PDP, therefore, urges the NBC to review the punitive measure on the media house as well as scale-up system-friendly measure that will ensure best practices in information dissemination in our country.”