FG Bans Radio Station From Interviewing Human Rights’ Activist

The news reaching the OSUNREPORTERS NEWS has it that Nigeria’s broadcast regulating body known as National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has instructed a Lagos State-based radio station, Grajos 89.3fm, not to grant an interview to a human rights’ activist, Mr Temitayo Oyekunle.

……..According to the report, the incident occurred at about 10.50am on Saturday, 2nd October, 2021.

…….Oyekunle, also an author, had been scheduled for an interview by 11:00am at the radio station on national issues bordering particularly on Nigeria’s 61st Independence Anniversary.

……..,,,,…..The NBC, however, called the Grajos management minutes to the programme, warning them not to grant an interview to the human rights’ activist.

…….He was thereafter told that his dialogue on Nigerian Independence would no longer be entertained.

…..Oyekunle said on Saturday that the Chairperson of the station got a call from the broadcasting regulator.

…….“It was a programme on Grajos 89.3fm billed to start at 11am today. I was there at 10:50am waiting in the studio for the interview. I was shocked to be informed that the owner received a call from NBC not to grant any interview on Nigeria’s Independence,” Oyekunle explained.

…… It could be recalled that NBC has extremely been a watchdog and thus faulted by the public under the Muhammadu Buhari regime for its clampdown on media platforms for reporting and airing criticisms of the Nigerian government. It had, in recent times, slammed heavy fines on Arise TV, AIT and Channels Television for what was tagged unprofessional coverage of the #EndSARS protest which lasted for two weeks in October last year.

…..It also slammed N3million each on these media houses and also again imposed a N5million fine on Channels TV in May for granting an interview to the Media and Publicity Secretary of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Emma Powerful among others.

(Ibomfocus)