The federal government has threatened to show a “red card” to broadcast stations in the country for breach of broadcast ethics. Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated this on Wednesday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Sal Island, Cape Verde.
The minister was in Cape Verde for the 64th conference of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Commission for Africa, and the second edition of the UNWTO Global Tourism Investment Forum. Channels TV was recently issued a query by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over an interview, where Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, took verbal swipes at President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mohammed said any station that violates the broadcast code and ethics would be “shown the red card.” He said, “We agree that there are challenges but the government is doing its best in addressing insecurity, banditry, insurrections, and fixing the economy. What one expected from these leaders, at this trying period, is support and encouragement.
It is, however, quite disturbing that they have thrown caution to the winds and it is no longer about leadership and maturity, but about who can say something that can break this country.
