Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission recently imposed a fine of N5 million (about US$11,922) each on MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, NTA-Startimes and Telcom Satellites Limited for airing a BBC Africa Eye documentary titled The Bandit Warlords of Zamfara. It said the documentary “glorified the activities of bandits and undermines national security in Nigeria”. It imposed a fine of the same amount on Trust TV for broadcasting the documentary Nigeria’s Banditry: The Inside Story. The Conversation Africa asked constitutional law expert Abiodun Odusote to weigh in on the implications of the commission’s action.
Are the fines consistent with the broadcasting code?
