MultiChoice gets fined in Nigeria for airing documentary that “undermines national security“
MultiChoice Nigeria, a subsidiary of South African Pay-TV giant MultiChoice Group, has been fined the sum of $12,013 (N5 million) for airing a BBC Africa Eye documentary on the activities of bandits.
In a press statement released via Twitter and seen by Business Insider Africa, the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) explained that the ‘controversial’ documentary glorified bandits and undermined Nigeria’s national security, hence the sanction.
MultiChoice Nigeria operates DStv, TelCom Satellite Limited and NTA-Startime Limited in the West African country.
The broadcast regulator also fined Trust-TV Network Limited for its own documentary on the activities of bandits.
NBC argued that these documentaries contravened its codes of conduct. However, Trust-TV Network Limited responded to the fine with a statement that partly said this:
“We wish to state unequivocally that as a television station, we believe we were acting in the public interest by shedding light on the thorny issue of banditry.”
On its part, MultiChoice Nigeria has yet to issue any statement in reaction to this development.
Meanwhile, the statement by NBC further noted that the affected companies have till August 30, 2022, to pay the fines. Failure to do so would attract more sanctions, the regulator said.
The NBC also advised broadcasters in Nigeria, “to be circumspect and deliberate in the choice and carriage of contents deleterious to Nigeria’s national security.”
As you should know, Nigeria has been grappling with many security challenges for many years. The challenges range from Boko Haram terrorism and armed banditry, among others.
