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The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has reacted after a Federal High Court in Abuja gave an order of perpetual injunction restraining the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from imposing fines on broadcast stations in the country.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the NUJ Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) described the order restraining NBC from imposing fines on broadcast stations in the country as a landmark ruling.
In a statement by the Chairman of NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, the Union stated that for long, the NBC, operating a controversial code, has continued to act as a hangman on freedom of expression and the media on flimsy excuses.
Comrade Ogbeche stated that the expectation is that NBC will not appeal the ruling, which he said is well-considered, adding that the Commission should rather work towards purging itself of authoritarianism and high handedness.
The statement reads: “The ruling, by the Federal High Court Abuja on Wednesday, restraining the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) perpetually, from imposing fines on broadcast stations in the country is a landmark judgment putting an end to impunity and abuse of power.
“The ruling should be applauded by all well-meaning citizens and institutions who believe in the rule of law, democratic governance and human rights.
“For long, the NBC, operating a controversial code, has continued to act as a hangman on freedom of expression and the media on flimsy excuses.
“The expectation is that the NBC will not appeal this well-considered ruling and work towards purging itself of authoritarianism and high handedness.
“The broadcast media should see this as an opportunity to demonstrate greater responsibility and work towards national cohesion and stability by shunning all acts capable of truncating the nation’s democracy by shutting out voices of division, hate and falsehoods”.