NIGERIA- Channels Television presenter, Seun Okinbaloye, has reacted to the N5 million fine slammed on the TV station by the National Broadcasting Commission, stating that the media will not be silenced as Nigeria belongs to everyone.
Okinbaloye was the anchor of the program: “Talking Politics,” over which Channels TV was fined N5m by NBC.
This followed his interview with the vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25, 2023 election, Datti Baba-Ahmed, on March 22, 2023, over which the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council complained to NBC.
The letter of complaint by the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC PCC, Bayo Onanuga accused Channels TV of not stopping Baba-Ahmed from making inflammatory comments.
He had called in the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, not to swear in the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on May 29, 2023, and also on President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the inauguration of the APC candidate in the poll.
Baba-Ahmed had said during the interview: “Whoever swears in Mr. Tinubu, has ended Democracy in Nigeria.
Reacting to this in the Sunday edition of his program, Okinbaloye said: “I want to take a moment to acknowledge the challenges that we as a media industry are facing in Nigeria.
“Events in the past days have created an environment of fear and uncertainty and threatened the freedom of speech and integrity of the media landscape but in spite of these challenges, we as journalists and broadcasters remain committed to our duty to inform, educate and entertain our audience.
“We do it not only for today but for the future and the sustenance of our profession others want to destroy but we want to protect it.
“We will not be deterred by these obstacles.
“We will continue to stand up for what is right and speak truth to power, even in the face of adversity.
“We will remain brave, strong, and resilient and we will not let our voices be silenced.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us.”
