Global organisation, Amnesty International, has condemned the suspension of a popular current affairs programme of Vision FM, Idon Mikiya, by the National Broadcasting Commission.
SaharaReporters had reported on Thursday how the regulatory body suspended the programme for six months for discussing the controversial extension of the appointment of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General, Rufai Abubakar and his incompetence
The station was also fined N5million.
The suspension, according to a letter from the NBC Director-General, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, was after the body monitored the broadcast of the Idon Mikiya programme on January 5 on both Vision FM and Farin Wata TV.
But reacting in a tweet on Friday, Amnesty International warned that such clampdown on the media is an attack on freedom of expression.
It further urged the Nigerian government to immediately lift the suspension of the programme and the fine imposed on the station.
The tweet reads, “Amnesty International condemns the suspension of Vision FM 92.1 Abuja’s programme ‘Idon Mikiya’ by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) @nbcgovng @FMICNigeria @NhrcNigeria
“We call on Nigerian government @MBuhari @ProfOsinbajo @FMICNigeria @nbcgovng to immediately lift the suspension of the programme and the fine. Clampdown on the media is an attack on freedom of expression.”
We call on Nigerian government @MBuhari @ProfOsinbajo @FMICNigeria @nbcgovng to immediately lift the supension of the programme and the fine. Clampdown on the media is an attack on freedom of expression.
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) February 4, 2022
