The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has suspended a popular programme airing on Vision FM and Farin Wata TV, Idon Mikiya, for a period of six months.
It also imposed a N5 million fine on Vision Media Services, to be paid before the suspension is lifted.
The suspension and fine were conveyed in a letter addressed to the Managing Director, Vision Media Services Limited, Abuja, by the NBC dated 28th January, 2022.
A letter signed by the NBC Director General, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, said the commission ”by this letter suspends the programme Idon Mikiya for six (6) months with effect from 28th January, 2022 and a penalty of N5,000,000.00(Five Million Naira )only is to be paid by Vision Media Services before the suspension is lifted.”
Illela warned the media organisation “that failure to comply with the suspension order will attract a higher penalty.”
The letter, titled: “Prejudicial content on Idon Mikiya: A suspension order” had earlier said the NBC “monitored the broadcast of your programme, Idon Mikiya, on 5th January, 2022 on your station Vision FM and Farin Wata TV, with concern.
“Your discussion of issues, including appointments at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) constitutes a breach of the provisions of Section 39(3)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which imposes restriction on matters concerning government security services or agencies established by law.
“Transmitting the Trade Secrets or other issues regarding a National Security Agency amounts to an act prejudicial to National Security contrary to the above section cited.”
