By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
The African Council for Communication Education (ACCE) has condemned the sanctions meted out to some media houses in Nigeria by the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, for their coverage of the EndSARS protests, calling for the withdrawal of the sanctions.
In a statement in Uyo endorsed by its president Prof Nnamdi Ekeanyanwu on Tuesday, ACCE, a forum for media professionals, educators in journalism and cultural studies and associated disciplines in Africa and for Africans in the Diaspora expressed regret that the NBC did not follow due process on the matter.
It however condemned media houses that may have used unverified video footages of the protests in their coverage but called for the withdrawal of the sanctions and the setting up of a body to investigate the coverage of the protests by the mainstream media.
“On the media coverage of the ENDSARS protests and the violence that followed, ACCE congratulates the mainstream media for professionalism in the midst of danger. The Association also condemns in totality any media establishment that must have used unverified video footage in its coverage of the conflict. The media must always act as the last bulwark of the society even in times of crisis.
“However, the Association views with displeasure the swift response by the NBC to punish three media firms on the basis of their coverage of the crisis. Our expectation is that NBC should use fines and other punitive measures as last resort. A proper investigation should precede any such punitive measures.
“There should be room for warning letters and cautions before such heavy sanctions that could be misconstrued as an attempt to muzzle the hard-earned freedom of the media.
“ACCE therefore calls on the NBC to immediately withdraw the sanctions already imposed on the three media firms and set up an appropriate body to investigate the mainstream media coverage of the ENDSARS protests and ensuing violence. The outcome of the investigative panel would definitely form part of future guidelines for most mainstream media in future handling of related conflicts.” It said.
The Council maintained that NBC as a government regulatory body “should not be both the accuser and the judge at the same time on the same matter” saying it would resist acts that would smack of attempt to muzzle the media.
It expressed support for the right of the people to peaceful protest and legitimate agitation adding that recent happenings in Nigeria have shown that the media, not the judiciary, should be regarded as the last hope of the people.
“Therefore, ACCE will remain at the forefront to protect media freedom as well as continues in her noble role in the training and retraining of media professionals to remain responsible, responsive, and professional in the discharge of their duties.” It concluded.
