Brekete host: NBC suspends licence of Human Rights Radio

By Taiwo Okanlawon

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has suspended the licence of Human Rights Radio 101.1 FM in Abuja owned by Ahmed Isah popularly known as Ordinary President.

The commission in a statement on Thursday said it suspended the station’s licence following recurring unprofessional conduct of the owner on his popular show “Berekete Family”.

The commission had earlier met with Isah who also hosts the Brekete Family Show, a programme on the radio station, for his involvement in assault cases during the show.

According to NBC, it reviewed the events and noted the unreserved apologies and regrets expressed by the broadcaster.

“The Commission states, however, that the action of the broadcaster is in clear violations of the Broadcasting Code and a betrayal of the confidence reposed on him by the people and Government of Nigeria on whose behalf he holds the radio license in trust,” it said.

“Section 0.1.1.2.1 of the Broadcasting Code provides in the Social Objectives of Broadcasting that Broadcasting shall – ‘promote generally accepted social values and norms, especially civic and social responsibilities; and encourage respect for the dignity of man’.

“It also provides that broadcasting organisations shall recognize that they exercise freedom of expression as agents of society, not for any personal or sectional rights, privileges and needs of their own or of their proprietors, relatives, friends or supporters.

“It is important to state that the Commission has over the years, advised, cautioned, warned and fined the station over repeated cases of outright abuse, denigrating remarks, intimidation and flagrant abuse of ethics of fairness, balance and fair hearing on the station. It is also on record that the Commission had conducted several training and retraining programmes for the station and the host of the Brekete family programme especially.

“The Commission has therefore in line with the sanction provisions in 15.5.2 of the Broadcasting Code, ordered the suspension of license of the broadcaster until the broadcaster commits to ethical and professional broadcasting. The suspension order is effective Monday the 31st of May 2021, at 12.00am.”

It added, “The order shall last 30 days during which it is expected that the broadcaster will put its house in order and attune itself to responsive, professional and responsible broadcasting. It shall also pay a recommencement fee as provided for in section 15.5.1 of the Broadcasting Code at the end of the suspension period.”