…Says Commision Lacks Power To Query Channels TV Over Such
Heritagenewsng reports that Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka says has lambasted the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC for querying Channels Television over the alleged Anti-Buhari interview.
Specifically, Soyinka said the NBC has no power to query Channels Television over an interview with Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom on the TV’s Sunrise Daily programme on Tuesday.
The NBC had branded the said interview as “inciting, divisive and unfair comments.”
Soyinka added that what happened to Channels Television could happen to any media organization in the country.
Soyinka said the regulatory body went beyond its constitutional duties and did not have the power to decide what is “professional and sound judgement” as it relates to the media.
He made this disclosure on Friday while briefing the media on the theme ‘Sanctions on the Loose: Chasing the Gnat with a Sledge Hammer.’ The media parley held at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park in Lagos.
“I think all of you have seen the letter sent by the National Broadcasting Corporation to Channels TV. It is the first time I have actually seen an example of the kind of query that the media is getting,” the literary icon said.
Reading a part of the letter the NBC sent to Channels TV, which says “the broadcaster shall ensure that its presenter shall handle with professionalism and sound judgement”.
Soyinka expressed dismay over the over-zealousness of officials of the National Broadcasting Commission. “Professionalism and sound judgement? Who decides that? Is the National Broadcasting Commission the mass communication fora?
“Is it judging people’s papers? Is it setting examinations? Who is the impartial arbiter? Who is the expert who decides things like that? This is one of the most outstanding semi-literate kind of official query,” he lamented.