The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has extended the
deadline to shut down broadcast stations whose licenses were revoked.
On Friday, NBC revoked the licenses of African Independent
Television (AIT), Silverbird Television (STV), and 50 other television and
radio stations over mounting debt.
According to Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, director-general of the
commission, the stations affected are indebted to the tune of N2 billion.
The commission had directed the stations to shut down
operations within 24 hours.
But in another statement on Saturday, the commission said it
has extended the shutdown to Tuesday, August 23.
Ilelah said the decision was motivated by the “intervention
of concerned groups” and “visible” efforts by some of the defaulting stations
to clear their arrears.
“Following intervention of concerned groups and visible
concerted efforts by some defaulting Licensees to offset their debts, the
National Broadcasting Commission hereby serves this notice of an extension of
the deadline to shut down to 6.00 PM on Tuesday, August 23, 2022,” the
statement reads.
Criticisms have trailed the decision of NBC to shut down the
stations, with the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) noting that the move will deprive
many Nigerians of crucial information, adding that many will wallow in
ignorance.
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) had
said the development will increase the risk of fake news consumption.
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