Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has called
on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately lift the
recent ban on Jay FM 101.9 Jos and songs such as Falz’s ‘This is Nigeria’, Wande Coal’s ‘Iskaba’ and Olamide’s ‘See Mary, See Jesus’.
The organization said the action by the NBC “amounts to illegal
restrictions on media freedom, the right to freedom of opinion and
expression and free information and ideas.”
SERAP in a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Timothy Adewale,
on Sunday, expressed “Concern about the censorship of the media and
songs deemed ‘vulgar and indecent’ by the NBC, as such action risks
undermining legitimate expression and independent voices. The NBC must
immediately lift the ban on the radio station and rescind the arbitrary
fine.”
The organization said, “The right to freedom of expression,
information and ideas is applicable not only to comfortable, inoffensive
or politically correct opinions, but also to ideas that offend, shock
and disturb. The constant confrontation of ideas, even controversial
ones, is a stepping stone to achieving a vibrant democratic society,
transparency, accountability and respect for the rule of law.
“Vague rules on vulgarity and indecency should not be used
subjectively to ban or fine independent media outlets, particularly
radio and television channels. The action by the NBC can create an
uncertain environment for radio and television stations and media
professionals in general and lead to fostering self-censorship and
shunning any meaningful criticism of public policies and authorities.
“The NBC is adopting vague rules vulgarity and indecency to undermine
freedom of expression, right to information and opinion. By banning the
radio station from playing the songs, the NBC is not only undermining
and harming the station, but also undermining everyone’s right to
information, public participation and open and democratic governance
“Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights to which Nigeria is a state party includes the right of
individuals to criticize or openly and publicly evaluate their
Governments without fear of interference or punishment.
“It is important for the NBC to strive to promote diversity of views,
and the media’s importance as a platform for public debate about
important matters of public interest and ideas. Censorship or
impermissible restrictions in the exercise of media freedom and freedom
of expression can restrict free circulation of ideas and opinions and
impose obstacles to the free flow of information.
“Freedom of the press and other news media afford the public one of
the best means of discovering and forming an opinion of the ideas on
political and social issues and other issues of public interest. Not
only does the NBC have the task of ensuring that radio stations and
other media organizations can function effectively to impart such
information and ideas: the public also has a right to receive them.”