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Tag: AIT

  • NBC Sanction: Coalition threatens legal action against AIT, Channels, others

    NBC Sanction: Coalition threatens legal action against AIT, Channels, others

    The Coalition of Civil Societies for Police Reform and National Unity, has threatened to take legal action against Arise News TV, Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Channels Television if the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) fails to revoke their licenses within 21 days.

    The National Coordinator of the group, Prince Mike Ekamon, issue the threat at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NBC had imposed N3 million sanction each on AIT, Channels and Arise News television stations, for alleged violation of broadcasting code in reporting the #EndSARS protests.

    Ekamon alleged that the unprofessional coverage of the #ENDSARS protest by Arise News Channel, AIT, and Channels TV incensed the public and contributed to the destruction of critical national and private assets, worth trillions of Naira.

    He said: “This Coalition will sue the stations concerned for purveying fake news during the recent nationwide #ENDSARS protest against police brutality in the country.”

    He further stated that the three broadcast stations ran foul of section 5.4.1 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code which deals with the coverage of crisis, emergencies and protests.

    “This sections stipulates that the broadcaster shall present news and commentary on a crisis, emergency and protest in accordance with the professional standards.

    “And must at all times ensure that the coverage of a disaster, crisis, emergency, protest is aimed at the overall public interest, safety, guidance.

    “And must provide authentic information, not broadcast morbid or graphic details of death, injury, pain, protest or agony and when necessary with due caution, not transmit divisive materials that may threaten or compromise the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a sovereign state.”

    The section also stipulates that a disaster and protest should not be reported in such a manner that ”violates or impedes national security.”

    Ekamon maintained that in reporting protests, the broadcaster should perform the role of a peace agent by adhering to the principle of accuracy and neutrality.

    He also stated that the three broadcast stations violated the Nigerian broadcasting code by broadcasting footages on the Lekki shooting by soldiers from unverified and unauthenticated social media sources.

    “This escalated the protest that engulfed Nigeria and gave the platform to hoodlums and other undesirable elements to wreck public peace and property,” he said.

    He implored the youth to embrace peace and dialogue as the government is making efforts to reform the police for the good of all Nigerians.

    He noted that the youth must always deploy their youthful energy to meaningful activities.

    Ekamon, who appealed to government at all levels to involve the youth in governance, advised the Federal Government to address the five-point demands of the #ENDSARS protesters.

    “This is the only panacea to the lingering problem of police brutality and enforcement of justice in Nigeria.”

    He urged the police to immediately commence investigation to the numerous acts of looting perpetrated by criminal elements masquerading as #ENDSARS protesters.

    Ekamon also stressed the need for the police to investigate the hoarding and misappropriation of Covid-19 palliatives across the country.

    “This will send a clear signal to criminal elements to abide by the law,” he said.

  • BREAKING: AIT crew on way to cover Edo election involved in ghastly accident [Photos]

    BREAKING: AIT crew on way to cover Edo election involved in ghastly accident [Photos]

    Information reaching TheNewsGuru.com, TNG now has it that a special team of journalists from the African Independent Television (AIT) on assignment to cover the governorship election in Edo State were involved in a ghastly accident on Thursday.

    According to information, the accident happened at Auchi on Thursday evening. Three of the journalists, including Omor Bazuaye were seriously injured.

    TNG reports that the governorship election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, September 19.

    See photos from the accident scene below:

  • AIT’s ace newcaster is dead

    AIT’s ace newcaster is dead

    The African Independent Television (AIT) has lost one its top newscaster, Nkiruka Chinasa Udom to the cold hands of death.

    According to a report from a source, Nkiruka died on Sunday night at a private hospital in Lagos after unsuccessful surgery.

    Until her death, she was a major newscaster and entertainment correspondent with the pioneer independently owned African television station.

    She studied Mass Communications at the Institute of Management and Technology Enugu and then worked in her local church at Christ’s Embassy before joining DAAR Communications PLC where she started as a news reporter.

    She later became the face of AIT and top newscaster with the novel African Independent Television.

  • NBC cautions AIT against code violations

    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has cautioned African Independent Television, (AIT) against continuous violation of the Broadcasting Code.

    Malam Is’haq Modibbo-Kawu, Director-General of NBC gave the warning during a media briefing on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said that despite the suspension of AIT in June and the subsequent efforts by Nigerian Press Organisation and other relevant stakeholders that culminated to the resolution of the issues, the station has continued to violate the Broadcasting Code.

    “In the last few months, our monitoring reports indicate that AIT has continued to air programmes that dwell on the on-going case of the presidential elections, and issues relating to matters in law courts, without regards to the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and extant laws.

    “On Monday Aug. 19 to Sunday Aug. 25 the station aired different documentaries centered on matters before the 2019 Presidential Election Tribunal; the action was prejudicial and could be termed contempt of court.

    “Specifically, on Monday, Aug. 19 a documentary titled “Who is Nigeria” was aired between 10:00pm to 10:47pm. It centered on how the former provinces of Northern Cameroun became a Nigerian enclave.

    “Track ups were given to some respondents who made statements like “Atiku is indeed a Nigerian”.

    “This came a day after the APC had asked the Presidential Election tribunal to strike out Atiku/PDP petition on the basis of Section 131(a) of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandates that a presidential candidate must be Nigerian by birth.

    “On Tuesday, Aug. 20 between 10:00pm to 11:00pm, AIT aired another documentary titled “The Many Troubles of INEC: A Documentary on Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and the chequered Road to 2019”.

    “This documentary contained an allegation that the 2019 Presidential Election was marred by a well-organised manipulation, violence and intimidations. It alleged that some actions taken by INEC were premeditated and schemed to favour the APC.

    “It ended with Atiku’s petition seeking relief to be declared winner of the 2019 Presidential election on the nullification of the election.

    “Then on Wednesday Aug. 21 from 10:00pm to 10:36pm, a similar documentary on “Who is a Nigerian” was also broadcast.

    “References were made to how some communities, like Daura Emirate, were allegedly formerly part of Niger Republic, and have now become part of Nigeria.

    “It queried what becomes of persons whose citizenship has been declared to be non-Nigerian.

    “The programme also appeared to promote the cause of the proscribed IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra) saying their agitation is legitimate, under the United Nation Charter on Universal Declaration of Human and People’s Rights,’’ Kawu said.

    The NBC boss further stated that on Aug. 22 between 10pm and 10:30pm,there was a repeat of the documentary “Nigerian Judiciary on Trial: Lessons from Kenya” first aired on May 23 for which the station was warned.

    Kawu alleged that AIT again aired a documentary on INEC and the Agony of a Nation on Aug. 24, and it made assertions that “manipulations” of 2019 Presidential Election, have not only disrupted democratic consolidation in Nigeria but have robbed the people of their fundamental right to make choices.

    He stressed that in the documentary, Yakubu’s tenure was also described as the worst in the history of INEC.

    Kawu further alleged that on Aug. 25, AIT aired another documentary titled “INEC and Qualification Requirements; The facts, The Issues” from 10:40pm to 10:56pm.

    According to him, the documentary called on the court, as the last hope of the common man, to correct an alleged dereliction of duty on the part of INEC.

    “The station management was invited for a discussion at the NBC headquarters on Sept. 5, over their flagrant disregard of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and consenting court settlement, between the regulator and licensee, from July, 2018.

    “This was borne out of the station’s repeated airing of various offending documentaries, and a persistent pattern of discussing matters pending in court.

    “In spite of this effort, on Sept. 10 during the highlight of the News hour, there was a Vox Pop taken that centered on the outcome of the Presidential Election judgment.

    “The standpoint of the station was clear from what the newscaster said, “Residents of Enugu State, South East Nigeria express concern on the inability of the Nation’s Judiciary to serve justice to the people.

    “They already questioned the judgment of the tribunal before it was declared, even when they know that there should be no comments on any matter that is before the law court.

    “Section 1.16.1(f):The law of contempt, relating to matter pending before law court’s and Section 5.1.12 News and current affairs programme shall be guided by the ethical standards of journalism.

    “These actions of AIT are in contravention of Sections 1.3.4, 3.3.1a, 3.3.1b, 3.11.1, 3.11.2 and 5.1.2 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code,’’ Kawu said.

    He further emphasised that the commission had seen several twitter postings and other materials on several social media platforms, accusing the NBC of an inability to reign-in AIT, in its persistent breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

    “I want to assure Nigerians that we do not relate with any of our licensees outside of the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

    “AIT’s continuous with wilful disregard for regulation and persistent breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, will be met with the very severe sanctions that the new, Sixth Edition of the Code has prescribed.

    “We also want the Nigerian people to know that the NBC had given AIT enough opportunity to walk the straight and narrow path of compliance with the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

    “AIT may unfortunately be the architect of its own fate, if it persists with the breaches of the instrument of regulation of the Nigerian broadcasting industry. And that is the Nigeria Broadcasting Code,’’ Kawu said.

  • JUST IN: Abducted mother of AIT staff regains freedom

    The abducted mother of Head of DAAR Communications Centre Jos, Plateau state, Mrs. Dinah Ayua, who was whisked away on Saturday in Zakibiam, Ukum local Government of Benue state, area has been freed.

    The 67-year-old was abducted by gunmen in her Zakibiam residence located behind Ukum local government secretariat on Saturday at about 7pm.

    She was blindfolded and forcefully taken away to unknown location in unmasked vehicle

    The son informed our correspondent on phone that her mother was released on Wednesday night at Jootar village, along Zakibiam – Wukari federal highway, in Benue state.

    He stated that he was contacted within 24 hours by her abductors who initially demanded for N10 million ransom.

    Ayua, a popular On Air personality and TV was a House of aspirant for Ukum Assembly constituency during the last elections.

    His constituents have invited him to contest for the chairmanship of Ukum local Government in the November local government poll, which has been zoned to his ward.

    He expressed joy over his mother’s released from the kidnappers but called on the state and federal government to save the people of Sankera geo political bloc from activities of hoodlums.

    Insecurity in Sankera comprising Ukum, Logo and Katsina Ala local Government areas known for mass yam farming, has forced residents to relocate to safer zones.

    Benue Police Command said it was investigating the matter .

  • Sad! AIT staff killed by suspected “one chance” operators

    Sad! AIT staff killed by suspected “one chance” operators

    A certain staff of the African Independent Television, AIT Abayomi Adigun,is dead. Adigun lost his life after falling victim of suspected “one chance” operators in Abuja.

    The media personality who was recently transferred from Ilorin to join Kakaaki production crew in Abuja was on his was to work, on Sunday night, when he boarded the car of the operators along Kubwa-Aya expressway.

    His lifeless body was later found along the Kubwa expressway after being stabbed several times.

    As at the of filing this report, AIT hasn’t released an official statement about his demise.

  • BREAKING: NBC lifts suspension on AIT, Ray Power

    BREAKING: NBC lifts suspension on AIT, Ray Power

    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has lifted the suspension placed on the Daar Communication, owner of AIT and Ray Power.

    This was after the two parties reached an agreement.

    Director General of the commission, Malam Isaq Modibbo Kawu, announced the settlement on Friday.

    The settlement, he however said, is based on fulfillment of some conditions.

    Details shortly…

  • Court orders AIT, others to pay outstanding fees owed FG

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered DAAR Communications Plc, owners of AIT, RayPower FM, and others to urgently come up with “a concrete and realistic proposal and ensure the prompt payment of outstanding licence renewal fees for its National Network Broadcast licence (Radio/TV).”

    The court also ordered it to “take necessary internal steps to ensure balance in its news coverage, especially political commentary on the Plaintiffs stations across the country.

    DAAR Communications, the court said, “shall ensure that all programmes transmitted on its TV/Radio stations across the country comply with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)Act, Cap. NH, Laws of the Federation, 2004 and the Nigeria Broadcasting Code as may be in force or/and as amended from time to time.

    Further, DAAR Communications is to, henceforth, “take full editorial responsibility for the use of content sourced from social media and all/any other outlets.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo extracted these and others from the terms of settlement entered into by DAAR Communications and the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) as condition for the resolution of the dispute between both institutions, which resulted in the recent indefinite suspension of DAAR’s licence by the NBC.

    The NBC, through its Director-General, Modibbo Kawu, had on June 6, 2019 announced the indefinite suspension of DAAR’s operating licence, a decision the broadcasting firm challenged by instituting a suit before the court.

    The NBC had claimed that DAAR’s broadcasting stations breached existing broadcast codes and defaulted in the payment of their licence renewal fees. The stations were also accused of airing a presidential election documentary while the matter was still before a tribunal, among others.

    Upon an ex-parte application by DAAR Communications, Justice Ekwo, on June 7, 2019s parties to maintain status quo as of May 30, 2019, pending the determination of an application for interlocutory injunction against NBC and other defendants in the case it filed.

    The judge adjourned to a further date for the hearing of the plaintiff’s application for interlocutory injunction. On the last hearing date, the plaintiff informed the court about efforts to settle out of court, following which the court adjourned to June 26, 2019 for report of settlement.

  • Court grants AIT, NBC leave to settle out of court

    Court grants AIT, NBC leave to settle out of court

    Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday granted DAAR Communications and the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), leave to settle their dispute out of court.

    DAAR communications had prayed the court to restrain the NBC from interfering in its operations, pending the determination of the motion on interlocutory injunctions filed in court.

    Raymond Dokpesi, founder of DAAR Communications filed the motion after the NBC suspended the operating licences of its Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Ray power FM.

    The judge granted the leave for the out of court settlement after Mr. Maliki Sylvanus, holding the brief of Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, counsel to Dokpesi made an oral application.

    The matter was slated for hearing before Sylvanus informed the court that parties in the proceedings were engaged in talks with the aim of amicably settling the matter out of court.

    He said in view of this, he called on the court to avail them with a date for parties to report settlement to the court.

    Defense counsels in the matter did not raise any abjection to the application for settlement.

    Justice Ekwo adjourned until June 26 for report on settlement.

    NAN reports that on June 6, the NBC suspended the licence of DAAR Communications Plc, owners of African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower “until further notice”.

    Modibbo Kawu, director-general of NBC, announced the shut down while addressing newsmen in Abuja.

    He said the action was taken for failure of the stations to abide by the broadcasting code.

    “Today, June 6, AIT/Rapower embarked on use of inflammatory, divisive, inciting broadcasts, and media propaganda against the government and, the NBC for performing its statutory functions of regulating the broadcast industry in Nigeria,” he said.

    “Consequently, after several meetings with management of Daar Communications Plc and many letters of warning.

    ”The NBC, today took a decision to suspend the licence of Daar Communications Plc for failure to abide by the Commission’s directives, the provisions of the NBC Act Cap N11. The SHUT DOWN order is until further notice.”

    Kawu said the regulatory agency had been monitoring the stations for a long time and had issued warnings that were defied.

  • Nigerian Press Organisation resolves AIT, NBC feud

    Nigerian Press Organisation resolves AIT, NBC feud

    The Nigerian Press Organisation comprising the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Guild of Editors, has settled the rift between the National Broadcasting Commission and Daar Communications Plc, the parent company of the Africa Independent Television and Raypower.

    The NPO said in a statement by its President, Nduka Obaigbena, that both parties had agreed to sheathe their swords.

    According to the organisation, Daar Communications will withdraw the case it instituted against the NBC in court while the commission would also rescind its suspension of AIT and Raypower 100.5FM.

    The statement read in part, “Following this NPO statement, the NBC will immediately lift the suspension of the broadcast license of DAAR Communications Plc. DAAR Communications Plc. will withdraw its case in court, against the NBC and all parties will take necessary steps to work together to build confidence in the public interest.”

    According to the statement, AIT also pledged to improve its reportage to ensure fairness and balance.

    The founder of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, also promised to ensure swift payments of all dues to NBC.

    It added, “DAAR Communications Plc. will work out a new realistic payment plan with the NBC and ensure prompt payments in accordance with the new plan.

    “DAAR Communications Plc. will appoint an Ombudsman to ensure balance in its news coverage especially political commentary; it will also take full editorial responsibility for the use of content sourced from social media outlets.”

    Earlier in the meeting, the NBC restated its commitments to freedom of expression and the constitutionally guaranteed role of the media under sections 22 and 39 to hold governments accountable.

    The NBC also raised concerns about the non-adherence of the DAAR Communications group (AIT/Ray Power) to the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, despite repeated interactions on same; the NBC then cited lack of editorial balance by DAAR Communications as well as the lingering issue of non-payment of national network license fees by DAAR Communications.

    However, DAAR Communications Plc. defended its position saying it gives its team freedom to make editorial commentary on issues of the day relying on Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution guaranteeing freedom of expression, freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas without interference.

    DAAR stated it had made some payments to the NBC but acknowledged that there were some defaults in the payment plan they submitted to the NBC, and explained that the defaults were due to decisions jointly reached at BON meetings by all broadcasters to engage and renegotiate the cost of license fees with NBC, in view of the current difficult economic realities affecting the industry. But the NBC insists that license fees are statutory and thus non-negotiable.

    Apart from Dokpesi and Onaigbena, others present include- the Director-General, NBC, Kawu Modibbo, Founder, Vanguard Group, Sam Amuka-Pemu and Chairman, Bulet International Construction Company, Isa Funtua; and other employees of Daar Communications.