Following the outrage among Nigerians, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Saturday reversed its earlier decision by going on to issue a 96-hour ultimatum to debtor media organisations or face law enforcement agencies.
Africa Daily News, New York reports that the affected media organisations have now been given an ultimatum of August 24, 2022, to pay all outstanding debts.
The Director-General of NBC, Balarabe Ilelah issued a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
Ilelah said the extension followed an appeal by the broadcast stations, stakeholders, public-spirited individuals, and organisations.
The commission noted that the deadline was moved to give those affected more time.
Read Also: NBC Slams 96-Hour Ultimatum On 52 Debtor TV, Radio Stations
‘All affected broadcast stations who fail to defray their debts on or before Aug. 23, 2022, are directed to shutdown by 12a.m. on Aug. 24, 2022,’ the DG said.
Africa Daily News, New York recalls that NBC had on Friday announced the revoking of the licenses of the AIT/Ray Power FM (DAAR Communication), Silverbird TV Network, and 50 others over N2.6billion debts.
The commission directed its offices nationwide to collaborate with the security agencies to ensure immediate compliance.
In another report, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has openly come out to fully condemn the decision of the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, to revoke the licenses of 52 broadcast stations in Nigeria.
NUJ’s National President, Chris Isiguzo had also lamented that the NBC’s decision was hasty, ill-timed and reckless.
NBC had announced that it would be revoking the broadcast licences of Silverbird TV, AIT, Raypower FM, and Rhythm FM, amongst others.
The Director-General of the NBC, Mallam Balarabe Shehu, who had made the disclosure this Friday, said the development followed the failure of the media houses to renew their broadcast licences.
