Nigeria Press Organisation ( NPO) has waded into the brouhaha between Daar Communications owners of AIT/Raypower with National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The truce was arrived at following a meeting of NPO, Daar Communications and NBC according to a statement by Mr Nduka Obaigbena, President, NPO.
The Statement read: Following the suspension of the broadcast license of DAAR Communications Plc., owners of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power FM by the National Broadcasting Commission ( NBC ), the President of the Nigerian Press Organisation ( NPO ) comprising of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria ( BON ), The Nigerian Guild of Editors ( NGE) and The Nigerian Union of Journalists ( NUJ), convened a meeting of all parties to resolve the issues in the national interest.
The meeting hosted at 8PM, on Sunday 9th of June, 2019, by elders and patrons of NPO, Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua and Uncle Sam Amuka, had the following in attendance:
1. Ishaq Modibbo -Kawu – Director General & CEO, NBC;
2. High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, DAAR Communications Plc;
3. Raymond Dokpesi, jnr, Chairman of the Board, DAAR Communications PLC;
4. Mr Tony Akiotu, GMD, DAAR Communications Plc;
5. Mrs Tosin Dokpesi , MD, AIT;
6. Barrister Donatus Anopuo – Company Secretary DAAR Communications PLC;
7. Uncle Sam Amuka, Publisher, VANGUARD Group;
8. Mallam Ismaila Isa, Patron NPAN and
9. Nduka Obaigbena, President NPAN and President NPO.
After an exhaustive dialogue, all parties RESOLVED as follows:
1. DAAR Communications Plc. will work out a new realistic payment plan with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and ensure prompt payments in accordance with the new plan;
2. DAAR Communications Plc. will appoint an Ombudsman to ensure balance in its news coverage especially political commentary; it will also take full editorial responsibility for the use of content sourced from social media outlets;
3. Following this NPO statement, The NBC will immediately lift the suspension of the broadcast license of DAAR Communications Plc;
4. DAAR Communications Plc. will withdraw its case in court, against the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and;
5. All parties will take necessary steps to work together to build confidence in the public interest.
Very Many Thanks!
Nduka Obaigbena
Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, THISDAY / ARISE Group,
President NPAN,
President , NPO.
www.thisdaylive.com www.arise.tv
