Broadcasting Code: SERAP Writes Buhari, Gives 7 Days Ultimatum

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have written President Muhammed Buhari over the ‘illegal’ code placed on Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation by the Minister of information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Lai Mohammed stated that henceforth, radio and television stations will be penalized if anyone comes on air to insult a sitting President, Governor, or any elected lawmakers in the country.

This revision of the NBC code did not go down with Nigerians who saw it as a form of clamping down the media.

SERAP wrote on it’s official Twitter page, “We’ve asked President Buhari to urgently instruct Mr. Lai Mohammed & NBC to withdraw the apparently illegal codes & memo threatening to sanction any broadcast that denigrates, disrespects, insults and abuses president, governors, lawmakers, elders & leaders in authority.

In the letter sent yesterday, we asked President Buhari to instruct Mr. Mohammed and NBC to immediately rescind the fine of N5m imposed on Nigeria Info 99.3 FM radio station, following reported comments by a former Deputy Governor of the CBN, Obadiah Malaifa, during an interview.

The letter read, “Rather than pushing to enforce a culture to respect president, govs, lawmakers, elders, leaders, Mr. Muhammed & NBC should use their entrusted public office & mandates to promote a culture of public debate, access to information, transparency and accountability.

Nothing can be more destructive to people’s exercise of basic human rights, and to democratic politics than the suppression of the media, and media freedom. The alleged “cultural codes” are patently contrary to public interests.

We would be grateful if the requested action and measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you on the requests by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you in the public interest.”