Reactions Trail As NBC Revokes Silverbird, AIT, Others’ Licenses

Nigerians have been evoking different reactions on social media following the revocation of the broadcast licenses of some media stations by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over their failure to renew their broadcast licenses.

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GWG reports that the Director General of the NBC, Mallam Balarabe Shehu, on Friday announced the revocation of the licenses with a directive that they shut down operations within the next 24 hours.

Shehu stated that the licenses of about 52 television and radio stations were suspended over failure to pay federal licensing charges to the tune of N2.6 billion.

According to the NBC DG, the suspended stations were warned for several months to pay licensing costs for their operations but failed to comply.

Some of the media stations affected are Classic FM, Splash FM, Beat FM and MITV. About 24 state-run broadcasters are also among the outlets affected.

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AIT, Raypower FM, Silverbird Television and Rhythm FM also affected are run by prominent opposition figures Raymond Dokpesi and Ben Murray-Bruce, respectively.

However, Nigerians have taken to the micro-blogging platform, Twitter to react to the development.

See some of the reactions below.

@mindset_tweet: “BREAKING: NBC Revokes Silverbird, AIT, Raypower FM, Rhythm FM’s Licences. Welcome back to 1984!”

@citizenc400: “Everything goes in Nigeria. How can a media house not renew its licenses as and when due? That’s corporate irresponsibility. If you won’t willingly renew what keeps in existence, it is taxes they will pay? Poor corporate attitude.”

@anthonykila: “Heaven help us in this land. Why will a media house not renew its licence when due? Why will a regulator suspend media houses via such a terse statement?”

@Matthewbello17: “Shouldn’t there be a window of extension for the renewal of operational license?”

@Femicyrus2: “Over 2 billion for licence! No wonder Ghana had up to over 500 TV stations. Nigeria must frustrate any business with outrageous taxes and levies.”

@mikolo_aja: “Let’s wait for the other side of the story. If u made a commitment or have a bill to pay, pay up or make effort. If you go this 2 billion naira is over some years.”

@AghoGodfrey: “They don’t understand high operating costs, something they would have just called and agreed upon by all parties so that business can continue. But some other sections would be given special concessions or even bailouts. I see it from a political angle.”

@feliciamarvelou: “These are some of the prominent stations in Nigeria why did they have to delay the payment this is bad of them I expected more.“

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