Ortom’s interview: PDP lawmakers berate NBC for harassing Channels TV, presenters

The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives, the International Press Centre, Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education have expressed concerns over the harassment of Channels Television and its presenters by the Federal Government.

The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) had issued a notice of infraction against the management of Channels Television over an interview granted by the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, on its news and current affairs programme, Sunrise Daily.

The two presenters are Chamberlain Usoh and Kayode Okikiolu, the anchors of the programme.

Reacting to the development, the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives in a statement by its Leader, Ndudi Elumelu, on Friday in Abuja, alleged that the action of the NBC constituted a dangerous move at stifling press freedom in Nigeria.

The lawmakers’ statement was titled, “Notice of infraction issued by National Broadcasting Commission against Channels Television, an abuse of democracy, another move to stifle press freedom.”

The caucus expressed worry “at the rapid descent of the country into the sort of repression and despotism experienced before the nation’s return to democracy.”